Why a Booktrail?
1940s, 1950s: A family cursed by tragedy and a visitor from afar. Can two destinies be linked in some way?
Ruby Flynn
What you need to know before your trail
The FitzDeanes are a wealthy family. They own and live in Ballyford Castle in Ireland and run a growing shipping business in Liverpool. But life is not all it seems to be and there is one small problem that threatens to ruin it all – Lady FitzDeane has been unable to provide an heir and so the future of their name and business is far from certain. What makes matter worse is that she has had five male children die in infancy which starts the rumour that the family must be cursed in some way. But why? There are whispers that they are being punished for a terrible mistake long buried in the past.
When young Ruby Flynn, an orphan reared and educated by nuns, arrives at Ballyford to work as a nursery maid, she cannot shake the feeling that she has been there before. But she hasn’t, has she? Soon rumours and strong emotions are swirling around the beautiful girl with red hair, green eyes – and a mysterious past. Who is she really? And what will her arrival mean for this powerful family, riven by tragedy?
Travel Guide
Doohoma Head, County Mayo
Ruby Flynn is an orphan and is brought up in a convent before going to work in service at the local castle. The atmosphere of rural Ireland with its twisting lanes, horse and carts transporting visitors back and forth across the rainy rural landscape, the setting comes to life via all of the senses.
People in this part of the world are poor and none more than the family who seem to have it all in the castle and with a thriving business in Liverpool. Appearances can be deceptive however. In the poorer areas, despite the poverty there is a clear sense of community and hope. Suspicion too of Ruby with her red hair
Sadly there is no Castle Ballyford so two places it could be – castles and stately homes in County Mayo are on the map above
Liverpool
In complete contrast to rural Ireland, Liverpool is hustle and bustle. Here the excitement of the shipping industry are felt with every pore – sweaty, greasy, oily pore as you soak up the words. No doubt the Merseyside Maritime Museum on the docks would be a good place to start any naval themed booktrail.
For a rest from this busy place, the quiet oasis of Sefton Park where much of the novel is set is a good place to go to soak up the peace and quiet as well as reading this book on location. Sefton Park is where the family has its town house.
Streetview Maps
A) Ireland - Doohoma Head, County Mayo
D) England - Liverpool Docks
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Ruby Flynn
Author/Guide: Nadine Dorries Destination: County Mayo, Liverpool Departure Time: Mid 1940s, 1950s
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