The Heart of the Night: An epic wartime novel of passion, betrayal and danger

I am a big fan of Judith Lennox, and can always guarantee I am in for a good read when I pick up one of her novels. "The Heart of the Night" has proved to be no exception. This story begins a few years before the Second World War and ends a few years after it, but it is primarily a tale of wartime experiences across Europe and beyond, and is centered around two young women, Miranda, and Kay - their loves and losses, their triumphs and tragedies, their journeys and homecomings.Kay Garland takes the job of companion to the outgoing, mischievous Miranda Denisov in London in 1936, and from there they travel around Europe with Miranda's powerful and controlling father. The world teeters on the brink of major conflict, and by the time Kay is dismissed from the household for keeping Miranda's relationship with a young man she met in Paris a secret, the inevitability of war is evident.Although this is obviously a work of fiction, the author's in depth knowledge of the events that provide the background to the story, and her talent for bringing those events right into the lives of her characters, make for compulsive reading.The emotional honesty and insight that goes hand in hand with Ms Lennox's writing is truly amazing, and creates characters whovery quickly start to live in my head and remain with me after the last page is turned.This is a book to lose yourself in. The only criticism I have is that I'm not quite sure how the title fits. Perhaps others will be able to see what I can't, but in any case it does not detract from what I feel is a well deserved five star review.

This is a most interesting story woven around the events and happenings in the 2nd World War. Covering the Ioves and lives of many families. What I found most interesting was the war itself and how each step of the campaign was covered. As a teenager after the war I never realised that battles had occurred in so many countries all over the war. The love stories were so sad as many lovers were killed or maimed in the fighting!I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope other readers will to.

It's hard to imagine the war in other places other than our own sometimes but this novel moves across Europe and showcases lives like ours struggling, we are all the same and experience the same suffering. This novel is so well written that you feel carried away by the depth of the writing and the understanding of the times is recorded so well. This is a captivating novel I would definitely recommend

I loved this book, it is another unputdownable saga from Judith. All of her books that I have read so far have been wonderful. What an excellent storyteller she is. She has given me hours of enjoyment way into the wee small hours. Judith has researched the Second World War very well, and it was very interesting to read of things I had not known and the ordinary people on both sides, how their lives were turned upside down. (To put it mildly). I am about to start her next book on my list, and to be honest I can’t wait. Thank you Judith

In 1936 Kay Garland has started work for Konstantin Denisov's as a companion for daughter Miranda. After Miranda fall in love with a man, Kay loses her position with the family and is only able to get home with Tom Blacklock. The years past by as now Miranda is married to a German and the war has come. The women survive the war and soon will be reunited but the past always is far behind."The Heart of the Night" by Judith Lennox is a pretty good book. Yes, by the middle of the book I had a good idea on how the book was going to end but it was a nice journey getting there.

THis novel is one of the best I have read and now having a KIndle I have read many over the past year!. Judith Lennox has the ability to get you gripped from the first few pages. This novel jumps from one character to another, but with ease and you are taken into their world ...... very well. You can imagine the Russian discipline in a household of one girl and her father. You can imagine the thrill for a young British girl to be chosen as a companion to this girl..... you can imagine the degredation of some of the scenarios in the 2nd World war and how the people suffered. Excellent stuff Judith cant wait for the next one

Having just read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah which sees WW2 through the eyes of the Allies,The Heart of the Night sees it through both sides of the conflict.It does bounce around a bit but is easy to follow.The end is a bit too good to be true,but I really enjoyed the read.

This was the first book I have read by Judith Lennox - but it won't be the last. A thoroughly enjoyable read set in the 1930s and 40s in Berlin and Prussia for the most part. Essentially a love story but depicting some of the horrors which people suffered during those difficult times. A good tale.