I actually read John Harding’s novel Florence and Giles late last year, and it is a book that I have really been looking forward to reviewing. In some ways it is tricky to review this type of book, as it would be so easy to spoil the suspense by giving too much away. The enjoyment in writing this one though, comes from the way in which it has revived my memories of its lead character, Florence. She really is a rather wonderful creation, and I actually found myself smiling broadly as I typed this.
Strong and creative characterisation is at the heart of the majority of the books I most enjoy reading, so John Harding was already half way there in having me hooked, but a truly good novel obviously needs so much more than this — did Florence & Giles deliver?
Read on for a full review…