A moving story about the nature of love and redemption set amidst the worst of the London Blitz and the destruction of London’s hallowed seat of law, the Temple
Adam Falling is a failing, sick barrister married to Catherine but conducting an affair with the glamorous Julia, who happens to be the wife of his Head of Chambers, Jeremy Pemberton.
Julia, fearful of losing her children, suddenly ends the affair. But it is too late. Pemberton discovers it and Adam is kicked out of his home and his chambers. Unable to work without a chambers and facing ruin, salvation comes in the unlikely form of the brilliant barrister, Roland (“Roly”) Blytheway. Blythway, held back in his career because of his sexuality, befriends him and invites him to join his chambers at Lamb Building.
It is there he finds himself defending a Czech refugee, Tomas Novak, who has been accused of treason and who is facing the gallows and becomes mired in another contested divorce case for one Arnold Bateman, where he, on the recommendation of Pemberton, represents the co-respondent whilst Pemberton represents the petitioner - a piece of cruel psychological torture on the part of Pemberton.
Whilst the Blitz rages on around, can Adam save Novak from the gallows? Can he get Bateman off? Will he ever discover why Julia suddenly broke off their affair? Can he succeed in resisting Jeremy’s claims against him personally? He has been told that only one man can possibly save him and that man is Roland Blytheway.
At the Dark Hour is the story of ordinary people caught in the horror of war whilst the city is destroyed around them. It features many of the most notable real life events of the Blitz such as the bombing of the Café de Paris.
My review
I was thrilled when Faye asked me if I wanted to be part of this blog tour, having read the blurb, I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this book.
This is a love story, a story that also questions love, and whether it's possible to love more than one person. Are there degrees of love, and if you had to choose, would romantic love win the day?
Now imagine yourself in London during the Blitz, imagine the bombs, the destruction, the loss of life. It all sounds so harrowing, so terrifying, and no doubt it was, however, human beings are incredibly resilient, so also imagine the camaraderie, the courage, the fortitude... When faced with the darkest of times, people can shine the brightest and here, some characters do just that.
At the Dark Hour begins with an account of a clandestine relationship, forbidden love and it's fallout. Adam Falling and Julia Pemberton are having an affair, when Julia's husband Jeremy discovers their infidelity, both Adan and Julia's lives, their credibility, their futures are suddenly at risk. Adam is a barrister, his cases also play a large part in this story. Arnold Bateman has also been accused of infidelity and Tomas Novak is facing a charge of treason, as Adam takes on their cases, their stories cast their shadows on his life and those around him.
Enter Roland Blytheway, for me the ultimate hero of the story. I absolutely adore this character, his strength, his intelligence, his kindness. When Julian attempts to destroy Adam's life, Roland takes Adam under his wing. When Adam's illness leaves him bedridden, it's Roland who comes to his rescue and nurses him back to health. Each and every character's story somehow intertwines with Blytheways, and he never fails to shine like the brightest star in the sky.
Think Atonement, think Birdsong, think love in times of war and you'd be on the right path, At the Dark Hour is utterly brilliant! I couldn't stop thinking about the characters, they pulled me in and made me care. The writing is fantastic, the storyline amazing, the characters wonderful! At the Dark Hour is a must read!
Title Information
Title: At the Dark Hour
Author: John Wilson
Release Date: 19th July 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
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