Lucina’s Letters by Barbara Francesca Murphy

Synopsis
“They did not mean to hurt the boy, much less kill him. They only wanted to teach him a lesson.” A stunning family saga set in Ireland and Italy, Lucina’s Letters is a gripping character study that explores the deep, dark repercussions of one long-ago deed. Family has always been of the utmost importance to Lucina, but when she learns the truth about an event that almost ripped the family apart, she sets about mending the familial bond even if her efforts are from beyond the grave. One well-timed letter allows her to bring the family together and drag not just one secret but many into the light. But what will the consequences be; will the now-grown-up girls come to terms with their actions on that fateful day and subsequently their own struggles in life? Were the messenger’s intentions just honourable and will the truth set them free and restore the family unit once again?

Review
Lucina’s Letters is a sweeping family drama that looks at how secrets and lies can eat away at a family, with the repercussions that ripple through the generations. Luciana is the matriarch of the family, someone her sisters, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews turn to for advice. Born illegitimate, with an Italian father, in her elder years she spends her time between Ireland where her family are based and a beautiful home in Italy where she can relax and get away from family troubles. In the past her sister Rosie lost her son to a tragic accident, but when one of her niece’s lets slip what really happened, Lucina feels it her duty to let Rosie know the truth. However, her heath deteriorates so she writes a letter to her family telling the truth about Rosie’s son and other secrets that have been entrusted to her. Her aim is to bring the family together, so old rivalries can be sorted and hopefully forgiveness can be given.

Lucina’s Letters looks at a family, the highs, the lows and disagreements that naturally happen. Barbara Francesca Murphy has created a family that many of us will be able to identify with in some way; there is the career orientated Sam, her family oriented sister Kelly, Grace who wraps her son in cotton wool permanently fearing he will be hurt. All of her characters are real, facing many of the issues we have today, and I found myself drawn into and invested in them. I liked following Rosie’s story the most, she is beautiful and seen by her sister as living a charmed life, where she sails through life with no difficulties. However, whilst the facade may seen perfect, if you scratch the surface the tarnish wears away. She is not the perect mother, not seeing that her daughter needs help, and her marriage has run it’s course for her, she wants love romance and sometime for herself. Rosie’s story is one that tugged at my heart, she has gone into herself, not caring about herself or her family, she only cares about her dead son. It was so hard reading her story in parts, she is only living to die so she can be with her son again. Following the characters, and their devlopment over the course of the book was fascinating and intriguing.

What I really loved about this book is that Barbara Frances Murphy captured family dynamics realistically, the good and the bad. The secrets of the past, especially the death of Ewan, fester away at the three nieces who were involved with his death, and the longer time goes the harder it is to tell the truth. She also looks at the dificulties many people face but don’t necessarily talk about to their family, unappy marriage, infertility, adultery and self harm. She also shows as human beings we are terrible at facing the truth, instead we bury our heads in the sand rather than attack problems head on. But, there is also the positive that the truth can bring you closer, and set you free. Barbara Frances Murphy writes with such empathy and understanding, and cleverly brought these emotions out in me.

Lucina’s Letters is a beautiful and heartwarming read, of secrets and lies, and how they can burn slowly gradually eating away at you. The wide cast of characters kept me engaged throughout, and I felt I was part of their story, the good and the bad. Beautifully written, with an understanding of family dynamics, this is a moving, utterly coompelling read that will leave you feeling satisfied and uplifted by the end.

I would like to thank Emily Keough of Mindbuck Media Book Publicity for my copy of this book in return for my honest review.