The Midnight News by Jo Baker
Published by Phoenix, 2023 

Set in 1940s London this is the story of Charlotte who, after breaking away from her family, shares her life with good friends. That doesn’t make up for the fact she’s lonely, she isn’t very good at her job and there’s no denying she’s been guilty of “making a nuisance of herself”. 

One by one those closest to her are killed in the Blitz and she begins to think it’s her fault. Who is the person following her? Is her mind playing tricks? Is she in danger of “making a nuisance of herself” again? 

This is an unusual and many layered book. It starts off as one thing and ends as another. Well written, intriguing and, especially in the descriptions of mental health treatment at that time, utterly convincing. 

I really wanted a happy ending for her. In fact, I put off going out for dinner, just so I could find out what happened. You’ll have to read it to find out.