I wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy this. I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, even relatively recent history but this book set in World War 2 had me gripped. Although it is set over a short space of time; 4 days, it captures well the massive disruption suffered by Belfast and similarly many other cities during the war. It focuses on the members of one family; the Bell family and the impact faced by each of them. The descriptions of the devastation caused by the bombings is exceptional. With the current events in Ukraine I felt the disbelief that such devastating destruction could really be happening again. Perhaps one of the most powerful parts was the anguish and helplessness faced by those dealing with the deceased; the sheer numbers involved, the injuries and attempts to identify the bodies. You could really sense the panic, despair and emotion faced by the different characters. A very thought-provoking book.