‘Clare Harvey writes so brilliantly about WW2 – her knowledge of the period is phenomenal and her characterisation just perfect. I adore the way she mixes fictional characters with real people. Basically, I have fallen in love with Clare’s novels and will continue to read everything she produces. The Night Raid is yet another triumph and I wish it every success.’ – Jill Mansell, bestselling author of You And Me, Always.
‘It is easy to connect and invest emotions in The Night Raid characters. Each has a very personal story to tell and Harvey writes in a way that makes you genuinely care about what happens to them… As for the twist – let’s just say I had a tear or two in my eye!’ – She Gathered Books
“Kept me reading all night”, Mrs Average Evaluates –
“Clare Harvey explores the rigid traditional values of the times and shows us how strong women were beginning to stand up for themselves and make their own way in the world with their new found independence gained from working as part of the war effort.
Well researched, realistic and gripping, I was engrossed until the end of the book and look forward to reading more novels from this talented author.” – Jenny Itzxovitz, Sixtyplusurfers“The Night Raid brings home the everyday dangers of munitions work and the social constraints on the women who worked in the factories as well as delivering a gripping story packed with mystery, drama and tragedy, and celebrating the powerful bonds of friendship and the enduring hope of a second chance at happiness. An inspirational story for dark winter nights…” –Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post
“An atmospheric wartime drama, heartwarming in its old-fashioned simplicity.” – Elizabeth Fitzherbert, The Lady
“Absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking but perfect” – five star review, from Alicia Pearson on Goodreads
“Highly recommended” – five star review from Caroline Mullen on Amazon
THE NIGHT RAID
Love and loss, secrets and danger
World-renowned war artist Dame Laura Knight is commissioned to paint propaganda portraits of factory girls. She’s sent to the ordnance factories in her hometown of Nottingham. At first she relishes the opportunity for a nostalgia trip, but when she starts work on a portrait of two particular women (Violet Smith, and her co-worker Zelah Fitzlord), memories begin to resurface that she has spent half a lifetime trying to forget.
Violet is an industrial conscript, and her wages help support a sprawling family back home in Kent. But working in munitions also meant freedom from a small-town mentality, and the disappointment of a first love turned sour. For Zelah, too, working in the gun factory meant escape: her dreams of the future were dashed in the carnage of the Plymouth Blitz, and she found refuge in the numbing repetition of manual work.
But, just like war artist Laura, Violet and Zelah have something hidden, mistakes that they have tried to leave behind with their old selves.
Will the night shift keep these women’s secrets, or will the past explode into the present and change all of their lives forever?