This historical thriller which is set in the early 20th Century with flash back from the 19th Century telling a story of the main character Sofia Logan who loses her husband Tom. She finds herself in difficulties as she has to support her two children and herself where she looks for help from Tom employer then it becomes very dark. I found this a dark and gripping story which I loved. I liked the main character Sofia Logan which I though I wouldn’t. But this is definitely a wow book I loved the story which pulled me in after a few pages and right to the end. Great writing and story by Helen Fields.

I really felt like I had been on an epic journey with Helen Sarah Fields’ “These Lost and Broken Things” once I’d finished reading, this was easily a five star read for me and a one that I was addicted to from the first page. Switching between two timelines, the first in 1891, we see twelve year old Romani born Sofia and an opening prologue that really does draw you in and captivate you. The second is set in 1905 when Sofia is now married with two children and is running for a doctor to save her husband Tom’s life. We then see the two timelines alternate throughout the story as Sofia’s young life is recounted, giving the reader the insight to maybe why she is the person she is. The story was quite brutal at times, emotional and poignant. I liked how the author brought in the suffragette movement into the storyline and I thought the gambling clubs and card playing were very engaging. The subject of grief, poverty, the workhouses, the lack of health care, bullying, suicide and the harshness of life all played a part in this gritty and engrossing story. I truly loved the scene between Sofia and Beatrice at the end, I thought the author played it perfectly and an ending that really worked for a potential second book. This author is more famous for her bestselling D.I. Callanach (‘Perfect’ series) and this is her first historical crime drama. Written and executed perfectly with an ingenious plot and likeable, creative characters, this atmospheric thriller set in London was thoroughly entertaining and I am more than happy to recommend “These Lost and Broken Things” to crime and historical thriller readers, young and old. 5 stars

This historical drama is a very interesting and enjoyable read from an author I really like. This is the story of Sofia which is told in two parallel timelines which works extremely well. The first is her from the age of 12 in 1891 and the second is the story of how she copes following the death of her much loved husband Tom in 1905. Sofia like many woman at this time does not have an easy life but hers is possibly harsher than many. She is born of Romani parents and is drawn into the world of gambling extremely young and she’s very good at it. However, this leads her into terrible danger in 1891 and from 1905 onwards though she tries her best to resist its pull. As a widow struggling to support her two young children Isaac and Sadie she struggles to find legal, gainful employment. She is lured without realising it, into the sphere and far reaching influence of Emmett Vinsant who forces her through her card debt to become the female early twentieth century equivalent of John Wick. Her world is turned on it’s head as violence and survival become the order of the day. This story is told with apparent honesty by Sofia herself. I really like the way the story is told. Sofia’s dark past emerges and is interspersed with events from 1905-07. The writing is lively and engaging and is firmly set in its historical context. It vividly portrays the harshness of life, the reality of poverty and the looming evils of the workhouse, the still poor public health systems and the Suffragist and Suffragette movements to improve the lives of women who are powerless in the eyes of the law. The characters are portrayed well though not all are likeable especially Emmett Vinsant who is manipulative and cruel. Despite what Sofia does at Emmett's behest she is feisty, proud, independent, resourceful and clever although it’s also fair to say she does get a kick out of wild and reckless actions. I admit to a sneaking admiration for her as she’s trying to survive in a world where the cards are literally stacked against her. Beatrice Vinsant deserves praise too for her bravery as a suffragette and for her clarity of thinking in understanding exactly what her husband is. That lady ain’t no deluded fool. Constable Charlie Danes is a very likeable character and you have hopes he may be Sofia’s saviour. This is a gritty, twisty tale with plenty of shocks amidst murders and mayhem. There’s violence and cruelty in Sofia’s past and present which moulds her into what she becomes. She has to make sacrifices especially with regard to her beloved children in order to survive. There is drama and tension and some very pertinent reflections on female status in a very dramatic encounter between Sofia and Beatrice near the end of the book which I think is terrific. I like the ending as it’s ambiguous as things look brighter for Sofia but has she entirely left her past behind??? Overall, an excellent read which I recommend. 4-5 stars rounded up.

Historical fiction at its best. This is the first of Helen Fields' books that I have read, but I will certainly be adding her to my "top authors" list. Wonderfully descriptive characters and a great story with non-stop suspense, twists and turns until the very last page. Keeps you hooked until the end.

Edwardian England, Sofia Logan has just lost her husband. With two young children to look after, rent to pay, and mouths to feed, she doesn’t have too long to grieve before she has to set out to find work. Her deceased husband’s boss, Emmet Vinsant makes her an offer to work at his gambling venues of an evening so that she can spot cheats or those that are on a winning streak. At first she tells him no as the venues are no place for a female, however, with no-one willing to hire her she has to accept his offer. The money might be good but Emmett knows all about her past, which seems to be coming back to haunt her. One thing is for certain her children come first and she will do everything and anything in her power to keep them safe, make sure they are fed and that they have a roof over their heads, no matter the cost to her or others. Earlier this year I read my first Helen Field’s novel, ‘Perfect Kill‘, and loved it. It is a modern-day thriller, whereas this book is set in 1905. We also hear about Sophie’s younger life as she was brought up in a travelling fair and is a bit of a card shark. From the very first page, I was hooked on this book. Sophie is a woman who has lost the only man she has ever loved and the only man she has ever trusted. She didn’t have a great start to life and her husband gave her the will to put her life back together and change the direction she was going in. With him no longer on the scene, Sophie finds herself in a hard predicament, the perfect example of between a rock and a hard place. Yes she is cunning and sly at times, but she needs to be to survive. Emmet is one of those characters that comes across as kind but a little creepy at the start but progressively throughout we see a darker side to him. My favourite character was Sophie’s new neighbour and police officer, Charlie. The book covers lots of historical subjects from the era and Edwardian England was easily recognisable. The setting of dowdy London, the mannerisms of the residents, and the whole atmosphere of the book had me transported back in time with each chapter. Sometimes you just connect with a book and lose track of time whilst reading and you don’t want to put it down. For me, this was one of those books. There is so much intrigue, mystery, and action set within this historical fiction that I didn’t want it to end. Sophie was certainly a woman ahead of her time!