The Lucy Effect

About the Book

The Lucy Effect is a fast-moving story set in the early part of the First World War. In May 1915, the sinking by the Germans of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania—or Lucy, as she was affectionately known—had consequences far beyond the tragic death of its crew and passengers. The sinking led to riots in Liverpool with xenophobic mobs intent on avenging the deaths of seamen and passengers. In this story, a father and son of German origin get caught up in this situation and find themselves separated in traumatic circumstances. The race is on for them to be re united. But is this going to happen? The odds are stacked against them. Will the help of a charming Irish entrepreneur and exotic Hong Kong detective be enough as the father escapes from an internment camp on the Isle of Man and the boy finds himself incarcerated in an orphanage in Liverpool under the influence of a violent man with a terrible secret?

About the Author

I love writing in all the ways that it’s possible. It’s what I’ve been doing all my life since the age of seven. Recently I had a particular story screaming for me to write—this one. It was partly my grandson’s doing. He led the way. He taught me the importance of wanting to turn the page and the nonsense of wanting to impress. But now the characters that have evolved are within me, and I suspect they’ll move me to write sequels. And all this is because of grandsons. Who’d have known! I live near Liverpool and have been involved, in all my working life, with examining relationships between human beings. I am interested in philosophy, art, music, and social history but mainly people.