London Dawn

Sometimes the hardest part about reaching a great series, is its conclusion. For those that love to immerse themselves in a virtual place in the world's historical past and those that LOVE series like Downton Abbey, best-selling author Murray Pura takes us back to the time period between WW1 and WW2 in London Dawn, the third novel in the Danforths of Lancashire. While meant to be read as part of the series, a first time reader can immediately get caught up in the unfolding action that immediately happens within the first few pages. The Danforth family has been separated by the ongoing war as Hitler and his troops begin to advance on Germany. While Professor Albrecht and Lady Catherine are being hunted for arrest for his refusal to join the Nazi party, his lectures, his protest against the firing of Jewish professors but most of all for being the author of anonymous books and pamphlets popping up all over Germany. Aided by their friend the baron, they immediately are forced to leave in the dead of night and try to gain access to their family home in Switzerland. But trying to get there will try their faith as they begin their nightly covert trek to the border along with their children, Sean and Angelika.

The patriarch of the Danforth family, Lord Preston can sense that Hilter's power is growing as he begins to consume one country after another while all he can do is stand by and pray for his son's safety. His sons, Edward, Kipp and Robbie, have all joined in the fight to put an end to the Nazi tyranny making its way across the country in the various branches of the military. As Hitler begins his air assault, the Spitfires as called into action to defend Britain from his German fighters. You can gain a sense for just how intense this action is and Murray does an amazing job by literally writing you right into the cockpit to join in the battle.

His attention to detail as the Danforth family is brought into the war in a variety of ways shows that even the elite and wealthy were not immune to the effects of the war. Much like the writer of Downton Abbey, Murray Pura isn't afraid to tell it like it needs to be, and casualties from the war will impact the Danforth family. Most authors create a shield around their characters so that even your best loved character will remain unscathed but not in this case. That aspect as well as the rich detail from history literally puts you in the middle of the action from hearing Churchill's speech to the destruction that England had to face as it battered and bombed. It reminds you of how much England had to endure during WW2 and how war affected this family as you take part of their pain in dealing with the horrors of the war.

I received London Dawn by Murray Pura compliments of Harvest House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This novel took me back to the way families had to cope with the realities of war. There was no escaping it no matter how wealthy you were. It's a chilling reminder of historically how some families dealt with war, how they struggled with not knowing the outcome of their children and husbands, and if they would ever be reunited again. I can't wait to see if Murray will continue to take us back to those historical notable times and remind us in a vastly different way what those times were like for those living in them. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and hope to see more novel series like this in the very near future.

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London Dawn by Murray Pura

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To read more reviews on London Dawn, please visit Harvest House Publisher's website. 

The Danforths of Lancashire Series
Book 1 - Ashton Park
Book 2 - Beneath the Dover Sky
Book 3 - London Dawn