This book takes places over 2 time periods. We start in 1972 when Imelda Burova is taking over from her mother, in the booth on Brighton beach. Madame Burova- Tarot reader- Palmist- Crystal Ball reader. And keeper of secrets, what you tell her goes no further. As well as the beach front booth she also agrees to do sessions at the local holiday camp, where she makes friends with the other entertainers... Jeannie with the voice of an angel, her pianist Charlie, the 'mermaid' sisters, a contortionist, and wall of death rider, Cillian. No-one is friendly with the lecherous manager, Marty, who got away with behaviour back then that would not be acceptable now.
Fast forward to present day, Imelda is old and ready to retire, she's tired of keeping everyone's secrets but she has a few things she need to do first. In London, Billie learns that her late beloved parents were not her parents. Then a letter arrives from Imelda, I can tell you more...
I wasn't sure at first, thinking this may be some slushy chick-lit, not my scene at all. But I was abnsolutely fascinated, life in 70's holiday camps (I was around then but never went on holidays) and I even gained some small insight into tarot reading, a subject I would like to explore further. Although this is a work of fiction, according to the author's notes in the back, she took inspiration from the life story of Eva Petulengro, who had a booth on Brighton beach (it's still there) and became world famous as a fortune teller.
Fast forward to present day, Imelda is old and ready to retire, she's tired of keeping everyone's secrets but she has a few things she need to do first. In London, Billie learns that her late beloved parents were not her parents. Then a letter arrives from Imelda, I can tell you more...
I wasn't sure at first, thinking this may be some slushy chick-lit, not my scene at all. But I was abnsolutely fascinated, life in 70's holiday camps (I was around then but never went on holidays) and I even gained some small insight into tarot reading, a subject I would like to explore further. Although this is a work of fiction, according to the author's notes in the back, she took inspiration from the life story of Eva Petulengro, who had a booth on Brighton beach (it's still there) and became world famous as a fortune teller.