A secret lies buried at the heart of her family—but it can’t stay hidden forever.When Cara stumbles across a stash of old postcards in the attic, their contents make her question everything she thought she knew.The story she pieces together is confusing and unsettling, and appears to have been patched over with lies. But who can tell her the truth? With her father sinking into Alzheimer’s and her … into Alzheimer’s and her brother reluctant to help, it seems Cara will never find the answers to her questions. One thing is clear, though: someone knows more than they’re letting on.
Torn between loyalty to her family and dread of what she might find, Cara digs into the early years of her parents’ troubled marriage, hunting down long-lost relatives who might help unravel the mystery. But the picture that begins to emerge is not at all the one she’d expected—because as she soon discovers, lies have a habit of multiplying . . .
Revised edition: This edition of Postcards from a Stranger includes editorial revisions.
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This was the first book I’ve read by Imogen Clark and I opted for it due to the nice cover and the unusual premise.
The book is written in a series of different dates, flicking between past and present, and giving you a glimpse into the lives of the characters then and now.
The story centre’s initially around Cara, a wedding dress maker from Yorkshire who is struggling to look after her elderly father who has Alzheimer’s.
It is when Cara dares to go into her father’s attic does she make an unnerving discovery, a one that allows her world to be tipped upside down all due to postcards.
This book was captivating and even though predictable in places, had me wondering about some of the concepts the book raises. It makes you question characters motives and how much of a situation they knew etc and what lies they may have told.
It was a compelling read and I would recommend to anyone wanting something new. Since reading this book, it has become number one bestseller in the Kindle UK book charts which says it all really.
I enjoyed Postcards from a Stranger and will be looking for more books from Imogen Clark in the future.
Cara’s story, after finding the postcards, kept me wanting to know what she’d find out and how she’d process everything. The plot dealt with the issue of abusive relationships in a way that still allowed one to draw enjoyment from the novel.
While not quite as light as what I’d call a beach read, this would be good for that. Check it out, I think you’ll be glad you did.
This is the book that started me reading all of Imogen Clarks books. I love her writing style.
Intense and raw story.
October 8, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Great characters dealing with some brutal issues. They are dealt with realistically and interestingly. Some I expected, some I was surprised about. All of it was satisfying.
This was one of those books that had me eager to keep reading (or more specifcally, listening to the audiobook) and then bereft when it was over. The last line is so beautiful and so fitting that I sighed over it. And I’m not someone who sighs over anything much.
Postcards has very powerful writing. As the terrible truth unfolds, Cara has a lot of emotional baggage she sorts through and Clark keeps us right with her every step of the way. Perhaps the narration helped in that regard, but it’s very powerful nonetheless. This book could rip your heart out, if you let it.
I should warn you that husbands (at least, those from a generation ago) don’t come off that great in this book. Don’t worry. It leaves you with hope. The characters are all well-rounded and complex, and Clark brings each of them alive with all their baggage and flaws and redeeming features.
Postcards From a Stranger was my first Imogen Clark and I only bought it because I was curious about where ‘psychological suspense’ ended and ‘family secrets’ began. I’m so glad I took a chance on something different to my usual material.
PS: I was so bereft after this book that I followed it up right away with her second book Where the Story Starts. That one is less rip-your-heart-out but actually has left me thinking about it more than Postcards.