Why a Booktrail?
2024: Dark secrets cast long shadows…
2024: Dark secrets cast long shadows…
On a peaceful hilltop campsite in the heat of summer, a private plane crash-lands. Several are killed, and many more lives are shattered – including those of the Gale family who own the site. For single parent Cathy Gale, her everyday struggles are eclipsed by the tragedy, as her boy Albie is one of the victims. He hangs onto life, while 18-year-old sister Nell, who was meant to be looking after him, is overcome with guilt.
As DS Ali Samson leads the investigation, locals are scandalised to learn that the amnesiac pilot has plans to stay on in the community. As dark secrets come to light, teenager Nell goes into freefall. What is it she’s so desperate to conceal? And exactly who is the Unknown Pilot?
Inspiration behind the settings
Golden Rabbit holiday park is fictional and based on Lyme Regis and Abbotsbury
– This is the site of the disaster in the opening scene witnessed from high on a hill by a young Nell Gale inspired by one of the campsites between Lyme Regis and Abbotsbury with their majestic sea views to one side and rolling countryside to the other.
Highcap summit – inspired by Golden Cap the highest point on the SW coast
We first meet Nell here on a dawn walk from town after an unnamed even has occurred, this location is very much inspired by the breathtaking summit of golden cap, the highest point on the SW coast and favourite walk of mine
Highcap town – imagined version of Bridport and Lyme Regis where the Gale family live in allotment row, the five bells pub where DS Ali Samson meets her blind date inspired by an old building on South Street in Bridport, a former pub where only the decaying tiled Five Bells sign now remains
Allotment Row is fictional – this is the terraced street where Cathy Gale lives with her daughter Nell and son Albie. Her widowed father John lives alone in the cottage next door. Without giving away any spoilers, the allotments are where the story ultimately ends this location is inspired by a beautiful little allotment site I occasionally pass near the Pymore Road wishing every time that one of the sunny plots were mine!
Destination/location: Dorset Author/guide: Isabel Ashdown Departure Time: 2024
Back to Results