I am wholeheartedly loving my journey through the dramatic world of Stephen Bloy's outstanding novels. He is an excellent story teller that expresses and incorporates so much raw emotion into his narrative you can't help but be drawn in from the very first page and this book "Hidden Truth" was a brilliant example of just that. Jacob Rawlings decides it's time to tell his daughter and grandchildren his life story and how the most tragic of circumstances caused him to leave home (at such a young age) to become an apprentice fisherman on the Grimsby fishing smacks in the 1860's. Jacob recounts his compelling story with such emotion - telling the drama of tragedy, misfortune, sadness, death and eventual happiness to a point you experience every emotion possible. It was by far the smile of happiness I had at a certain point in the story that makes it all worthwhile and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jacob's very descriptive tale despite the many things he sadly had to endure. The author has a marvellous ability to include true historical facts and events portraying what life really was like during the times of his books and I know from reading his factual book based on his family tree (Searching for Walter) that he has drawn a lot of research and facts from that. All of his characters are so well portrayed and often very likeable - I adored Finbar (Barney) and his Irish charm - even as I write this I'm smiling as I remember his loveable character and how I followed his beloved friendship with Jacob with such fervour. This is the third book by Mr Bloy I have now read and I look forward to reading "John's Promise" which also looks intriguing and compelling. These stories really get their hooks into you and don't let go, simply they are unforgettable and I highly recommend both the author and his many books to readers young and old. Another well deserved 5 stars!