The Missing Sister is another excellent historical fiction novel by this extremely talented author. I have loved everything Dinah Jefferies has written, and this one didn’t disappoint. Strong characters, mystery, intrigue and danger all blended with fascinating details of Burma and surrounds. Always well written, I have no hesitation in highly recommending The Missing Sister to fans of historical fiction. Remember summer before 6th year? We’d come here and tell your mother everything that happened the previous year. Your father would come to find us and say—” Right from the outset I thought Belle was brave and courageous. Firstly to travel to the other side of the world on her own but it also showed how tenacious and how strong willed and purposeful she was. She had burning questions and had a strong desire for answers. At first she seemed like a fish out of water and that at every point she was met with opposition and a blank wall. For Belle is resolved to find out what did happen to her long lost sister all those years ago. Elvira was just three weeks old when she was taken from her parents garden in Rangoon. Suspicion fell upon her mother Diana with her father Douglas torn in two as to what happened. Since both upped and left Rangoon after the devastating event leaving Douglas' important job behind the enigma has remained just that. You did?” She asked, voice small as the first time he told her what she was. He nodded and with a devilish grin, she hopped off the trunk and offered her hand for Severus to take.

Actiunea se petrece in Birmania,interbelica, unde Belle Hatton, o cântăreața talentata isi cauta sora disparuta in conditii misterioase cu mai bine de 10 ani in urma. Lily, you are out of your mind!” Mary hissed as both of them struggled to fit under James’ cloak, “If James finds out—” You shouldn’t be here, you know it’s dangerous for you,” Severus said quietly. It dawned on Lily then, how much she had missed this tone of his, the watchful and worried tone he used to use when she replied to Barty Jr.'s and Mulciber's taunts. Not the drawling, patronizing one he’d use by the end of their school years. Tad ir labi, ja kāds tomēr šo grāmatu nolemj tev uzdāvināt, jo tas, kas slēpjas grāmatas lappusēs gan šķiet pat ļoti saistošs.You don’t need to say anything else. I don’t want to fight anymore. Who knows if I’m ever gonna see you again? I don’t want you to regret coming here.” Severus said quietly and Lily hated this ‘I don’t know if we will be alive tomorrow’ sort of speech. She hated that she kept hearing everywhere she went. She hated that every day it seemed that she lost more and more control of her life every day. Rašydama šią knygą autorė keliavo po Birmą, savo patyrimus sudėjo į kūrinį. Aprašomas jos gražus skridimas oro balionu.

I'd be interested in hearing from other readers who felt the same, I know it has been most well-received so far so I don't think mine is the popular opinion. You can find out more about the mysteries of The Seven Sisters series here: lucindariley.co.uk/seven-sisters-series It’s the anniversary of my mother’s death. We always came here to pay our respects.” Lily explained, her voice a little bit choked. Mary's eyes softened considerably and seemed to have finally decided that Lily wouldn’t be in danger.

Inside the house, everything was the same as the day she came to collect her father’s things, a few months ago. Lily let go of Severus’ hand and climbed the stairs to her room. He stayed behind, leaving her to have a few moments on her own.

The other unfortunate trait of this book, and many like it, is that it was rushed towards the end. The ending was also overwhelming in how 'perfect' and. 'neatly conclusive' it was. Entirely unrealistic, and not what I expected in an adult fiction. The pacing in much of the story was fast, particularly the romance. Lucinda was born in Lisburn, County Down, and spent her first few years in the nearby village of Drumbeg. Her mother, Jane (nee Cottham), and great-aunt had been professional actors, her grandmother was an opera singer and her great-uncle was chief lighting designer at the Royal Opera House. The story is quite convincing in most parts, and made me reflect on the subtle emotional violence of which many women are susceptible, even today: feeling guilty when anything goes wrong is a heavy burden to carry, ingrained from birth. They almost got themselves expelled.” Lily pointed out and didn’t add about Sirius almost getting Severus killed, “anyway, we are almost there.” This was essentially an historical drama but Dinah’s attention to detail meant that I learned a lot about Britain’s occupying years in the country and region. There’s detail but never too much. You soon realise by the end just how much of an insight into the mystery and the heritage of the country you’ve experienced. That’s always a joy for a reader isn’t it? A story that lingers and stays with you.This was my fourth Dinah Jeffries book. I think I can write one now. (Just kidding, I cannot, and I respect and appreciate the hard, hard work and tons of effort it takes to write). What I’m trying to say is, it’s pretty formulaic. Quite like Dan Brown, but less annoying. See, there’s a beautiful young woman instead of Langdon, an Asian city instead of a European one, a good-looking, helpful man for a companion instead of a good-looking helpful woman for a companion, they stroll about the city taking in its culture and landmarks, instead of running about.. you get the gist. And Lily respected the ‘ so soon’ because it meant that at least, Severus had finally accepted that she loved James. I could clearly visualise the setting in my head, the bustling streets crowded with people going about their daily lives. The colourful and vibrant trees humming with wildlife. The villagers eking out an existence in the countryside and the stunning temples amidst jungle vegetation. But in contrast is the luxurious hotels and specific areas for the British where opulence is always on show. It seems they didn't ingratiate themselves with the locals rather instead they brought a slice of Britain to foreign shores and with that a secret that has been buried deep for so many years and one which Belle is determined to solve. Premise: Belle Hatton has come in search of answers to a mystery that has haunted her family for more than 20 years. Finally I felt there was no sophistication in the characters: everyone was deemed good or bad, with no inbetween. I've never liked a book that is so clear cut. It's not real. Similarly, the protagonist seemed as if she were quite free from imperfection and there was little to draw the reader to her. In fact, I would say the characters did little to add to the story- the same can be said of the romance. With romances, in historical fiction, I've often thought they were added just for the sake of the genre. But I've never felt that so strongly until I read this book!

Some of the passages were disturbing, particularly those related to the protagonist's mother and her treatment by fellow Brits in Burma. However, this harshness deepened the story. Well-written, with beautiful descriptions of Rangoon and Mandalay in Burma under British occupation during the 1930s, this story was quite enchanting. The main character of Belle Hatton made me want to scream sometimes, but I suppose she was quite typical of many women of the times, brought up to think of themselves as the frail and easily frightened sex, whilst men were portrayed as brave, all powerful deciders who were never wrong (some things, at least, don't change with the years, huh?!!). In the end, it was Severus who warned her of what the Death Eaters were going to do. In the end, it was the only reason why she knew she had to try one more time. She also wanted to see her old room one last time.If something happens to us, I want you to hide her. Name her Hermione, for she will have my last libation before I sleep and be the messenger of dreamers. They walked silently to the house; Lily pretended she didn’t notice the way Sev kept caressing the hand he was holding. Lily’s not foolish, she knew she had feelings for this boy, even if they were confusing and not as clear or as overwhelming as her feelings for James.