The Story Collector by Iris Costello is an intriguing story of love, loss and persecution. Switching between three characters - Tarot reader Katerina, a german in London in 1915, Miriam, a nurse and researcher working at a prisoner of war camp in Germany, and Edie, recent widow who moves to Cornwall and finds a mysterious box in the wall of the cottage she's renovating. The complexity of this story is hard to summarise, but its a wonderful, if sobering story rooted in the challenges and legacy of wartime Europe. I loved the multiple points of view, the historical elements and the detail.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.
It is based on 3 characters over 3 different timelines.. Edie is the present day, kitty (or Katerina) is in 1915, and Miriam in 1918. All 3 are connected and how becomes apparent as you read on. I am not always a fan of duel timelines as I found them confusing at times but this was easy to follow however the characters were not so easy to follow and a little confusing at times but that’s just my opinion. It was a slow burn and the ending felt rushed but none the less a good read, that was well written. I would read more from this author.

I have never read any hooks by this author but this his fiction book by iris costello was very enjoyable.. credible and likeable characters that make up the novel. WW2 and present day.

Thank you Iris Costello, Penguin General UK, Viking | Penguin and Netgalley for the eArc of The Story Collector.

This is my first read from Iris Costello and really enjoyed this historical fiction which entwine 3 women, one in the present and 2 in the First World War. This story was well paced and kept my attention, but also invoked a few emotions, especially near the end when everything falls in place. Iris blends the horrors of war with the very need of Hope, Love and Forgiveness. The main characters are well fleshed out and I bonded with them completely and read this book in 2 sittings.

Ill be looking out for more of Iris's books.

4.5 on Storygraph and 4 on Netgalley

This book is written from three different POVs, with three different timelines. I fear that may be one too many, as it becomes disjointed at times, and it is hard to follow who is who, and what is happening to whom.
It deals with some of the serious events of wartime in a superficial way, which I found surprising.
It’s enjoyable enough, but has no great depth to it for a historical novel.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

I absolutely devoured this book. I was hooked from page one!

I’ve never read anything like this before and will definitely be seeking out more from this author. I loved the plot and have been looking for more books similar to this story.

I can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable historical drama set in World War One and the present day. Three very different female protagonists who are connected though as a reader I got frustrated waiting for the reveal. A well researched and easy read.Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Fantastic read and fully brought together at the end, all questions answered, - a lovely read with great character development

I enjoyed this book and found it a very easy, but compelling read. I liked the main characters, and I thought the way the stories intertwined was well thought-out. There are a lot of clichés, but this is a very enjoyable book.

The Story Collector portrays three women who demonstrate real strength of character - Katerina beginning in 1915; Miriam beginning in 1918 and Edie in the present day.

The author intricately brings together each of these women with their stories of love and life. The twists and turns in the plot and the way in which every chapter sheds a little more light on how these women are linked, kept me engaged until the very end.

I particularly enjoyed learning a little about the WW1 German Linguistics Project - this is not something I have come across previously in any historical fiction novel.

Thank you to the publisher, Penguin General UK, Viking, for a digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

OK , though historical books are not really my thing . I liked the idea and all three characters were interesting. The plot, follwing the three different characters seemed a bit fragmented though it did come together later on. I also thought that it lacked depth as some quite serious events were dealt with too quickly, the fire in Mile End for example and finished off too neatly towards the end which has left me feeling a bit dissatisfied with the book overall. The tarot card aspect came and went which was inconsistant and a little too contrived . A little more research is also necessary (King's Cross is not the station for Cornwall)
So to conclude, OK but is slightly missed the mark for me . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchnage for an honest review

This is a story set in different time lines and locations, from early twentieth century London, a German prisoner of war camp and present-day Cornwall - all seemingly unconnected to begin with. The discovery of a box in the wall of an old cottage leads to the discovery of stories about past lives and how those connections come together. Compelling and warm hearted.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Story Collector by Iris Costello

Edie moves to Cornwall following the death of her husband David and when renovating her cottage she discovers a metal box hidden in the walls. The contents of the box reveal a mystery from over 100 years ago involving Kitty (Katerina) a German woman living in London and Miriam a German linguist working in a prisoner of war camp.

What an absolutely fascinating story - I absolutely loved it! The stories of the three women interweave beautifully and the dual timeline is executed perfectly. So many interesting themes - Germans in first world war London, a linguistics project in German prisoner of war camps, tarot cards, Sylvia Pankhurst and aid for destitute women and children in London during the war - all wrapped up in a fabulous story. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Iris's novel began in 1914 in London with an intriguing Tarot Card reading session. We are then introduced to our three main characters Edie in the present day, Katerina in 'Little Germany' East London 1915 and Miriam in Danholm Prisoner-of-War Camp, Germany in 1918. The three young womens' lives are intertwined, without their knowledge, adding yet another layered story to the seperate ones. I found the novel interesting, gripping and moving. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the recording of british dialects of prisoners of war in the first World War, facts based on real life stories. The Tarot cards where vital in one of the girl's life. It was interesting to note that many people relied on readings such as these in the past, to point them towards what the future may hold. Tarot card readings are still popular today too of course for some people. As the novel went on, I felt the tension mounting as I tried to work out how the girls' lives where linked, but I still didn't get it quite right! Novels set in different dates involving characters with a common link have now become a popular part of my reading plans. I look forward to more from Iris, as I think that she is an accomplished storyteller. Highly recommended.

A nice story to sink into.
The characters are relatable and fit well into the settings of the story.
Thought-provoking and enjoyable, a nice read for a grey day!

A mystery in three generations

The story is told from three different points in history. At the start the stories seem to have nothing in common, then as things progress there are hints and glimmers that make you wonder about the connections between the characters.

As the three strands of the story weave together the pieces gradually fall into place, there are some surprise connections along the way and an ‘I did not see that coming’ moment at the end that wraps everything up.

A different story and telling that I really enjoyed.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

This is a story about three women during three time lines .Kitty in 1915 Miriam in 1918 and Edie in present time .All these women are connected somehow and the story tells us how .I found the book a bit too long and slow at times but it is a good story .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

📚Book Review📚

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I'd like to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book. Special thank you to @wendyreadsbooks for buddy-reading this with me.

🪖War
⌛Dual Timeline
🗣️Multi POV
💞Family

This was a very enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns. I particularly liked Kitty's story and trying to connect the dots of all three leading ladies.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was very happy to receive an early copy of this which I read on my kindle. The story sets up quickly and you will breeze through reading this. Though there were parts that I don’t think were necessary it had me interested from fairly early on.
The book follows the lives of many people but primarily those of Edie (Modern day), Kitty (in London, WW1) and Miriam (a Nurse in POW camp, WW1). Each of these characters were well defined and you could feel their struggles personally and the book took you back in time, to feel the hurt of those suffering during war. From a historical perspective it was very interesting, though a piece of fiction it had many pieces based on truth.
I at times thought I was reading three separate stories and would have been happy with that, but it was finished with a nice bow. I would recommend this to someone who wants more easy historical reading or were fans of the life connections like those in Weyward.

An E-RC was provided via NetGalley, Penguin General UK.

I loved The Secrets of Rochester Place, so I knew I was in for a treat with this book. I'm a massive fan of dual timeline fiction. This book was both captivating and compelling. Filled with such engaging characters I was quickly immersed into their stories. An absolute gem.