A Child of the Dales
1785: On the edges of the Yorkshire moors and dales, a mother and her foundling daughter make their living running a remote inn, with just a few mining houses nearby. A visit from a well-known rogue, and lives are twisted and turned through captivating, convincing and well-crafted events.
Setting her story in and around the historically fascinating Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales, oft visited by this reviewer, Diane Allen weaves a wonderful tale of hope and determination in a Catherine Cooksonesque narrative that will satisfy both the historical and romantic novel reader.
Ruby has grown up in a loving, hard-working family, and the inn is the only life she has known. One night, a blizzard forces a notorious local villain, ‘the Devil himself’ Ruby’s mother calls him, to seek shelter. Reluctantly given, accommodation is provided, and from there a truly romantic story starts to unfold. The story is a search for a love lost, revenge, and of life-changing decisions. Smuggling and dubious horse-dealings are expertly intertwined with the rugged, harsh lives of the locals.
Research on the period, including its mining industry, is impeccable. This a classic tale well told, set against a background of the beautiful, often treacherous scenery of Yorkshire and Cumbria. Diane Allen’s many followers will relish this latest offering from a writer of the highest quality, and hopefully many new readers will be brought into the fold by this excellent novel.
