Chapel Field by Paula Hillman

A psychological suspense about silence and its sinister effects on a family and a village from the author of Blackthorn Wood.

When Laurie Helm’s mother dies, Laurie must return to the village where she grew up. It’s a place she left twenty years ago, and she’s hardly seen her mother since. With no siblings or other family, Laurie is left to sort out the house and estate, and to face some of the reasons she left Chapel Field in the first place.

Ed Diamond grew up in Chapel Field—but it hasn’t been much of a life. After his father passed away, Ed was the last person left who could care for his disabled sister. But the villagers have their own opinions on that . . .

Laurie and Ed met when they were kids, and as a disillusioned teenager, she joined in with the systematic tormenting of the Diamond family under the guidance of her friend, charismatic Marcus Butcher—until one of his pranks went too far. Now, reunited as adults, Laurie and Ed have lingering feelings of hatred, guilt, and resentment stirring between them—while being inexplicably drawn to each other…

Review

‘Chapel Field’ is an emotional read that will pull at your heartstrings and is a story of redemption and second chances! After reading and loving ‘Blackthorn Wood’ I was excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint - it was full of love, empathy and hope. There is a real beating heart in the narratives that Paula tells and I instantly fell in love with Ed and Laurie.

Ed and Laurie are bound to each other due to an incident in their adolescence but haven't seen each other for over twenty years. When Laurie’s mother dies to returns to the island to handle the affairs and when she sees Ed she is determined to apologise for her actions when she was younger. It's how this relationship forms and progresses that is the main thread in the book and it's a very poignant story. I was rooting for them right from the start and was so anxious that the past and their history were going to block them.

This is mainly a story about how trauma travels down the generations, especially in a small place like Chapel Field where everyone is interconnected. Ed has suffered a life full of bullying and when Laurie questions why people hate him they have no real answers. It shows that misconceptions and wrong ideas can form hatred and trauma. I felt heartbroken for Ed and the life he had been living. Thankfully Laurie is the light and catalyst this story needs!

This is a story about redemption and when you finish that last page you are left feeling a sense of hoping that everyone has found peace.

Let me know if you pick this one up!