A review by judefire33
The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the first book I’ve read by Victoria Williamson, and as it is set in Petersfield just up the road from where I live, and I was somewhat intrigued.

Set just after the end of WW1, we find Charlie Briggs a draft dodger and pilferer, who is on the run from the Police in London ( his home city), so he is hiding out in Petersfield in Hampshire.

He comes across a rare book in a book shop and steals it so that he sell it and hopefully be set up for a long while afterwards, which he thinks will be a good idea with the Police on his tail. However very unsettling events start to unravel, and consume Charlie leading to his sorry end.

I found the characterization of Charlie really good, not a likeable character but a well written one. The events and description of WW1 are quite vivid and tangible, and really made for a spooky novella.

A small book that I read in an evening, but one that certainly gave me the jitters!

A solid 4 star read.