My Name is Eva is an exceptionally original novel. Eva aka Mrs Evelyn Taylor-Clarke or Mrs TC is an exceptionally enigmatic personality and a resident of Forest Lawns Nursing Home. Evelyn is in full possession of all her mental facilities and very observant. She is expert at cryptic crosswords and clearly a superb code breaker. ' That's what she needs, sharp pencils with erasers attached to the end, just like they had during the war'. Evelyn pretends to have the onset dementia which will during the process of the narative confuse her niece and pull wool over the eyes of detectives investigating her cache of weapons and the past disappearance of a person known to her. This she thoroughly enjoys because Evelyn certainly has secrets. She knows all about those weapons discovered in a suitcase in her recently vacated Manor House . She knows all about the cache of photographs stretching back to WW II. She is brilliant at cover up and stays well ahead of the police and her very boring niece. She will deliberately create confusion . A reader becomes intrigued by Evelyn's past and her present. Her life unravels as we read of the untimely death of her SOE husband during the Second World War and her thirst for revenge. Truth in this novel is revealed through scenes set in the past and letters Evelyn writes to her deceased husband. It is a masterful novel , a jigsaw meticulously researched. The reader will learn about the aftermath of the war in Germany, the cruelty in certain interrogation camps and the resettlement of refugees. This novel contains murder mysteries. It's unravelling is compelling. The writing is sharp. It's an exceptionally intelligent novel with unforgettable characters beautifully and sometimes hunourously drawn, and always engaging. The nursing home is accurately depicted, the letters engrossing and characters realistically portrayed. Moreover it is well-constructed book with all ends eventually succinctly tied up. And, yes there are surprises.. If you have loved The Alice Network and Elizabeth is Missing, you will adore this book. My Name is Eva is without doubt destined for great praise . I found it a pleasure to read and alas Eva / Evelyn was far too clever for this reader. I admit I am still baffled by the cross word clues embedded within the chapter headings. All in all, a masterful debut.

A really good interesting read. Eva has secrets that go back as far as World War 2 and the story of her life is intriguing.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Evelyn/Eva is a 90 something woman that is put in a nursing home by her niece after a fall. She wants everyone to think that her brain is addled and that she is in the early stages of dementia. We learn why as the story unfolds. Eva isn't in the least bit addled, in fact she is "crazy like a fox." We learn her past through letters to her deceased husband and chapters about her time during WWII. She has experienced alot of heartache in her life and it forms the person she becomes. I absolutely loved Eva and hated to see the story end. Although I was thrilled that it ended on her own terms and we were allowed to join her on her life's journey. Thank you netgalley for the ARC of this book for my honest opinion. It was an absolute joy to read.

Absolutely loved this book and it’s riveting plot!

I’m often interested to know what inspires authors in their writing - in this case it was a shoebox containing her Great-Aunt’s wartime letters and two giggling elderly ladies who offered glimpses of their wartime lives. Combining this with her own research, the author has successfully penned a debut novel that I would highly recommend without any hesitation.

Evelyn/Eva is a warm, witty and very likeable character. Her life story - from the immediate post-WW2 years through to her final months in an elderly residential home - made a fascinating storyline and a very enjoyable read.

An excellent debut novel from Suzanne Goldring and I look forward to reading more of her work. Historical fiction is my favourite genre to read and this book was every bit as good as some of the well-known WW2-themed titles published in recent years.

I am grateful to the publisher, Bookoture for an advance digital copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

During the war with Germany all Eva ever did was file or type. She was known as Eva during the war, Evie, by her beloved husband, Hugh. They were married only a very short time before he was killed, She was called Hilda in registration at the nursing home where she is now. The staff at the nursing home call her Mrs. T-C, short for Evelyn Taylor-Clark.
To know her history she is more than a typist, file clerk. She has killed two people. One with a sharp pencil through the eye, another with a bullet through the heart. Neither were ever found. Yes, she had special training during the war. She saw many atrocities. She was a linguist and took notes during the brutal interrogations done by Colonel Stephen Robinson. He who thought her husband and others should be sacrificed so he could look good.
She made a promise that he would pay for the cruelty he inflicted on people. He sure was surprised when she shot him.
Now she is in her nineties. She has lived a full life. She has destroyed everything that may destroy her image. She's still smart, articulate, has full mental capacity and is ready to be with her Hugh. Too bad the investigator keeps coming around asking questions. She will have to take care of that.
A phenomenal story of courage, love, murder and all the atrocities that go with war.
Eva is an extraordinary character, strong, loyal, smart, funny, loving, and brave.
A phenomenal read!!

Evelyn Taylor-Clarke-Mrs. T-C to the staff at Forrest Lawn Care Home-is as clever in her nineties as she was as a young woman. She has a secret, a promise she kept for years. The niece looking after matters for Mrs. T-C has no ideas of the lie her aunt has lived or the game Evelyn is playing.

The premise for this book was interesting: years after World War 2, an elderly lady fakes dementia to keep her secrets safe. Evelyn cleverly convinces those around her that she is losing her mind. The back and forth through time keeps the tension high, keeping the reader wondering what she did that needs to be protected.

I would have rated this a four if it weren't' for the rape scene, which is closely followed by murder. There are scenes showing tortured prisoners. This is not a book to be read lightly. The author delves into the not so moral choices made after the war. And, of course, Evelyn has her revenge.

For readers who don't mind the darker aspects of the time period,

This book was excellent! Totally kept my attention and I wanted to find out what would become of the main characters. Highly reccomended.

Everything about this book is amazing. I love the main character Eva, the way the author integrates the past with the present, and the emotional plot that kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. I’ve read over 30 historical fiction novels in the past year and this one is definitely in my top 10.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!


My Name is Eva follows an elderly woman named Eva in a nursing home and her niece Pat. As her niece is clearing out her Evelyn's home, she finds some out photographs from WW2. These photos takes Evelyen's memory back to that time ... and she's been hiding a huge secret her whole life.

Evelyn is an old lady in a nursing home and her niece Pat is clearing out Evelyn's home so that it can be sold. Pat finds a couple of suitcase with World War Two photographs and other memorabilia and when Evelyn sees these her memory takes her back to wartime Germany and a secret that she has kept for many years.
A slow burning story about love and betrayal.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of My Name is Eva from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This may be my new favorite book!!!! I absolutely love the premise of the heroine faking dementia in her retirement home to cover up her knowledge of (and possible involvement in) questionable activities centering around WWII events. The tempo of this novel was perfect--kept me wondering until the very last page!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Suzanne Goldring for the ARC.

Could not put this book down, and heaven help anyone that tried to disturb my reading !!

I absolutely loved this book !

I laughed, I cried, I cheered , I sympathized all because of Evelyn.

The book takes place between the past and the present, the present being Evelyn is a resident in an assisted living facility. I could so picture the setting and as Evelyn sets out to fool everyone , I thought you go girl !!

The past takes place during World War 2 as Evelyn enlists after the death of her husband.

A secret is about to be revealed after her niece uncovers some photographs from the War and that is one secret Evelyn wont have revealed.

Evelyn is brass, very clever and plots very well.

I don't want to say anything else but what a fantastic read.

My first , not my last book by Suzanne Goldring.

I can't recommend this book enough !!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to laugh, cry and cheer Evelyn on !!!

This book had me hooked from the start....and because my grandparents are currently in assisted-living facilities, Evelyn's time in her assisted-living resonated with my heart. I loved her sassy, snarky personality and being privileged to see the inner workings of her mind. And I loved the love letters between she and her husband during WWII. I am excited to read all of Goldring's works! This is the first book of hers I've read, and it won't be the last!

My name is Eva is a historical fiction novel. The story is centered around a woman named Evelyn Taylor-Clarke, who is known as Evie to her loved ones.

Evie has just recently had to move out of her London home at Kingsley Manor and is currently residing at the Forest Lawns Care Home where we learn of her extraordinary past life and work with the ATS post World War II.

Evie cleverly puts on an award winning performance of losing her memory and hides how sharp and exceptional her mind really is to those in the nursing home and her niece Pat. Her complaining niece Pat has power of attorney and has the onerous task of sorting through Evie’s belongings and valuables and getting everything in order for the sale of the estate.

This is a shocking story of revenge, courage, secrets and a promise Evie made to the love of her life that she would fulfil no matter what the consequences. My name is Eva was inspired by the author Suzanne Goldring's family diaries from post war Germany.

One of my favourite genre’s is historical fiction, I was drawn to this story, it was an easy read and had an interesting storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Eva, a captivating, compelling and atmospheric portrait of events that impacted and influenced the life of Evelyn Taylor- Clarke from the 1940's, in the 1980's and right up to the present day where she now resides in the Forest Lawns Care Home.

A tin of old photographs brought in to the care home by Evelyn's niece Pat bring back memories of the past Evelyn definitely wanted to keep buried but as Pat's finds at the old house grow, even more secrets could be revealed.

A poignant and evocative story of love, betrayal and bravery that kept me page turning and completely engrossed from start to finish.

Loved it and would definitely recommend.

This novel had me hooked from the very first page! I always enjoy delving into historical fiction novels and My Name is Eva is the perfect example of why! This riveting book time hops between the 1940’s, 1980’s and present day (2016) to tell the tale of Evelyn Taylor-Clarke’s life. Suzanne Goldring does a fantastic job with the pacing of this novel, I sometimes find historical fictions can get a little dry, but there wasn’t any parts that I felt lagged—love that! The storyline was incredibly moving and depth filled! Evelyn is a character that will definitely stay with me! My Name is Eva is a 4.5 star read that every historical fiction fan needs to check out!

The author wove an intricate tale of love and treachery through the eyes of an old lady., It is both sad and humorous. Set in the years of upheaval during World War II and the aftermath. A good read.

The subject matter had me at hello, but for me, it just wasn't riveting. The back and forth from past to present seemed a little disjointed. I think at one point the story was not linear and it was confusing. I also failed to really understand why the "old" Eva (a very smart, sharp old woman) would have no other choice but to put on a very involved, extended act trying to show that she is mentally incompetent. Those parts were not amusing for me and were just cringe worthy. I don't like to give reviews that are not very positive, especially when the book has been so kindly given to me at no charge, but I promised an honest review in return for the book. Others may have a much better reaction, and I hope they do.