Ann Bennett

As she looks at the baby wriggling in her father’s arms, a bolt of recognition goes through her and she takes a step back. And it’s in that moment that she begins to protect her father’s secrets. 1934, Weirfield-on-Thames. Connie Burroughs loves living in the orphanage that her father runs. Exploring its nooks and crannies with her sister, hearing the pounding of a hundred pairs of feet on the wooden stairs, having a father who is doing so much good. But everything changes the day she sees him carrying a newborn baby that he says he found near the broken front gate. A baby she recognises… Present day. Arriving at her father’s beloved cottage beside the river, Sarah Jennings is hoping for peace and quiet, to escape her difficult divorce. But when she finds her father unwell and hunched over boxes of files on the orphanage where he was abandoned as a child, she decides to investigate it herself. The only person left alive who lived at Cedar Hall is Connie Burroughs, but Connie sits quietly in her nursing home for a reason. The sewing box under Connie’s bed hides secrets that will change Sarah’s life forever, uncovering a connection between them that has darker consequences than she could ever imagine. A heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting tale inspired by the lives of the children who lived at the author’s great-grandfather’s orphanage. Fans of Before We Were Yours, The Orphan’s Tale and The Orphan Train will be hooked. What readers are saying about The Orphan House: ‘Oh my goodness. What an amazing story of life, love, loss and finding yourself… Awe inspiring. I honestly am left reeling. This is my first book from this author, although it definitely will not be my last. Thank you for a journey that I will not soon forget.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘An amazing and spellbinding read. Exceptionally well done. I hated when it ended.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wonderful storytelling! I have just finished reading this book and I’m bereft! I was able, for a few days, to lose myself completely in the story… I highly recommend this book to anyone.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘What an amazing read!!! I didn't expect this to be a rollercoaster of emotions, suspense, and mystery but it was everything!!... I recommend this book so much!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book gave me all the feelings at once… Keeps you hooked through the whole book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘If there were ever to be a perfect bookclub book, it would be The Orphan House… Beautifully portrayed characters, who were so vivid… Almost felt like watching it on the big screen, every place, person, and circumstance came to live and felt almost tangible… Will surely touch your soul.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘True to life and totally believable. The plot was intriguing, and the delivery was perfect.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I was hooked only a few pages in to the story… I cannot say enough about this book and I hope you will love it too.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Loved this book… captures so many emotions… Couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This was a fantastic read… It lured me in and I ended up hooked. By about the halfway point, I was completely captivated by the story and the mystery kept me guessing as I tried to figure it out… Beautifully written.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Oh what a wonderful book! This beautifully written story tugs at the heart strings… I lived this book, it hooked me from the first line and kept me engrossed until the last… A book to treasure and reread. A masterpiece.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars This book was previously published as The Foundling’s Daughter.

Absolutely gripping and heartbreaking historical fiction

The Orphan House

Orphan House

As she looks at the baby wriggling in her father's arms, a bolt of recognition goes through her and she takes a step back. And it's in that moment that she begins to protect her father's secrets. 1934, Weirfield-on-Thames. Connie Burroughs loves living in the orphanage that her father runs. Exploring its nooks and crannies with her sister, hearing the pounding of a hundred pairs of feet on the wooden stairs, having a father who is doing so much good. But everything changes the day she sees him carrying a newborn baby that he says he found near the broken front gate. A baby she recognises... Present day. Arriving at her father's beloved cottage beside the river, Sarah Jennings is hoping for peace and quiet, to escape her difficult divorce. But when she finds her father unwell and hunched over boxes of files on the orphanage where he was abandoned as a child, she decides to investigate it herself. The only person left alive who lived at Cedar Hall is Connie Burroughs, but Connie sits quietly in her nursing home for a reason. The sewing box under Connie's bed hides secrets that will change Sarah's life forever, uncovering a connection between them that has darker consequences than she could ever imagine. A heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting tale inspired by the lives of the children who lived at the author's great-grandfather's orphanage. Fans of Before We Were Yours, The Orphan's Tale and The Orphan Train will be hooked. What readers are saying about The Orphan House 'Oh my goodness. What an amazing story of life, love, loss and finding yourself... awe inspiring. I honestly am left reeling. This is my first book from this author, although it definitely will not be my last. Thank you for a journey that I will not soon forget.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'An amazing and spellbinding read. Exceptionally well done. I hated when it ended.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Wonderful storytelling! I have just finished reading this book and I'm bereft! I was able, for a few days, to lose myself completely in the story... I highly recommend this book to anyone.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'True to life and totally believable. The plot was intriguing, and the delivery was perfect.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Loved this book... captures so many emotions... couldn't put it down.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'This was a fantastic read... it lured me in and I ended up hooked. By about the halfway point, I was completely captivated by the story and the mystery kept me guessing as I tried to figure it out... beautifully written.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars This book was previously published as The Foundling's Daughter.

The Orphan House: Absolutely Gripping and Heartbreaking Historical Fiction

Thailand, 1943: Thomas Ellis, captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore, is a prisoner-of-war on the Death Railway. In stifling heat he endures endless days of clearing jungle, breaking stone and lugging wood. He must stay alive, although he is struck down by disease and tortured by Japanese guards, and he must stay strong, although he is starving and exhausted. For Tom has made himself a promise: to return home. Not to the grey streets of London, where he once lived, but to Penang, where he found paradise and love. London, 1986: Laura Ellis, a successful City lawyer, turns her back on her yuppie existence and travels to Southeast Asia. In Thailand and Malaysia she retraces her father’s past and discovers the truths he has refused to tell her. And in the place where her father once suffered and survived, she will finally find out how he got his Bamboo Heart. In a blend of stirring fiction and heart-wrenching history, Ann Bennett narrates the story of a soldier’s strength and survival in the bleakest of times and a daughter’s journey of discovery about her father and herself. Bamboo Heart is volume one in a Southeast Asian WWII trilogy that includes Bamboo Island and Bamboo Road.

Bamboo Heart

Three women connected down the decades by a mystery from the 1930s, with its roots in British India and an orphanage in Berkshire.In 1934, Anna Foster, the young wife of a British Army Officer, privately harbouring pain and remorse, sets sail from Bombay on a fateful journey home, a letter from a charismatic stranger - orphanage superintendent, Reverend Ezra Burroughs - in her pocket.Seventy-six years later, Connie Burroughs, Ezra's daughter, now in her nineties and in a care home, still lives in fear of her dead father. She guards his secrets loyally, but with a lifetime of regrets.Sarah Jennings, escaping an unhappy marriage, moves to be near her ageing father. She buys Cedar Lodge, the crumbling former home of the Burroughs family, a renovation project she hopes will bring peace of mind to trying times. But she's not prepared for the shocking secrets she uncovers.Determined to track down the past, Sarah embarks on a quest to expose the chilling events that took place at Ezra Burroughs' orphanage in the 1930s; a quest that will ultimately change her life.

The Foundling's Daughter

Inspired by the lives of the forgotten orphans of World War Two, this heart-wrenching and moving tale is about fighting for your loved ones when all hope is lost… East Prussia, 1944. When the war comes to twelve-year-old Agnes’ village, she finds herself stuck between two terrifying armies. Every man she’s ever known has been forced to fight for the Nazis, and as the Red Army approaches every innocent woman and child is made to leave their home. Then tragedy strikes and she and her brother Dieter find themselves alone in vast, isolated woodland, and Agnes must protect Dieter at all costs… Cambridge, present day. When her beloved grandfather dies, Freya is distraught. Not only has she lost the man who helped raise her, but she knows the story of his time as a pilot in World War Two, and her family’s history, is gone forever. But then Freya meets her new next-door neighbour Agnes, whose accent is just like her grandfather’s. She has a framed picture of a snow-covered castle that looks strangely familiar, and a weather-beaten image of a little blonde boy in braces and boots. But though Agnes’ past may hold the key to unlocking Freya’s family secrets, it’s also a painful story Agnes vowed never to tell. It’s about the brother Agnes fought to protect, the young boy who risked everything to protect her, and it will change everything Freya has ever known about her family… Breathtaking and unputdownable, this story of courage and survival is perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, The Orphan’s Tale and The Orphan Train. What readers are saying about Ann Bennett: ‘Oh my goodness. What an amazing story… Awe inspiring. I honestly am left reeling. This is my first book from this author, although it definitely will not be my last. Thank you for a journey that I will not soon forget.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘An amazing and spellbinding read. Exceptionally well done. I hated when it ended.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wonderful storytelling! I have just finished reading this book and I’m bereft! I was able, for a few days, to lose myself completely in the story… I highly recommend this book to anyone.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘What an amazing read!!! I didn't expect this to be a rollercoaster of emotions, suspense, and mystery but it was everything!!… I recommend this book so much!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book gave me all the feelings at once… Keeps you hooked through the whole book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘If there were ever to be a perfect bookclub book, it would be The Orphan House… Beautifully portrayed characters, who were so vivid… Almost felt like watching it on the big screen, every place, person, and circumstance came to life and felt almost tangible… Will surely touch your soul.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Oh what a wonderful book! This beautifully written story tugs at the heart strings… I lived this book, it hooked me from the first line and kept me engrossed until the last… A book to treasure and reread. A masterpiece.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars ‘I was hooked only a few pages in to the story… I cannot say enough about this book and I hope you will love it too.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Loved this book… captures so many emotions… Couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This was a fantastic read… It lured me in and I ended up hooked. By about the halfway point, I was completely captivated by the story and the mystery kept me guessing as I tried to figure it out… Beautifully written.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Completely gripping and unforgettable WW2 historical fiction

The Child Without a Home

Juliet Crosby has lived a reclusive life on her Malayan rubber plantation since the Second World War robbed her of everyone she loved. However, the sudden appearance of a young woman from Indonesia disrupts her lonely existence and stirs up unsettling memories. Juliet is forced to recollect her prewar marriage, her wartime ordeals in Japanese-occupied Singapore and the loss of those she once held dear. Bamboo Island is part of a Southeast Asian WWII trilogy of historical fiction that can be read in any order and includes Bamboo Heart and Bamboo Road.

Bamboo Island

From award-winning author Ann Bennett, comes a heart-breaking story of love and loss set in World War 2 Burma.In 1980, Edith Mayhew, proprietor of the Tea Planter's Club in Calcutta, is preparing to sell up after years of decline. She thinks back to 1942 when her sister Betty vanished having fled over the mountains from Burma to Assam to escape the Japanese invasion. Whilst packing, Edith comes across some letters which may hold clues to Betty's mysterious disappearance.The discovery propels Edith on an epic journey to Assam, where she is forced to face devastating secrets of love and betrayal from the war years. Praise for Ann Bennett 'A vivid account of a brutal period, and a searing exploration of trauma, memory and loss..' The Lady Magazine. 'Have just discovered this writer ... So descriptive of the Far East. Harrowing in parts but unputdownable! Best author I have read in a very long time.' Amazon Reviewer. 'This was a story of love, passion and cruelty I could not put down ....' Lizeanne Lloyd - Lost in a Good Book I raced through this book in just over twenty-four hours ... I literally could not put it down.' Bibliobeth - Goodreads. 'I really loved this haunting, powerful and beautiful novel.' Amazon Reviewer .

The Tea Planter's Club

From award-winning author Ann Bennett, comes a new, heart-breaking novel set in Singapore, during World War Two. Perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries and Victoria Hislop. After her mother's death, Lara discovers a beautiful amulet amongst her belongings, engraved with the words "for Suria." Suspecting Suria to be the grandmother she never met, Lara travels to Singapore to find out why her mother was committed to the care of a local orphanage during World War Two. In 1941, Suria, a poor Malay girl working in a tailor's shop and living in a communal warehouse, is befriended by a British officer, Charles Simmonds. They start to grow close, but war threatens to engulf Singapore and tear them apart. While delving into her grandmother's past, Lara is forced to confront betrayal and brutality as she learns some disturbing truths about families and friendships... Praise for Ann Bennett 'A vivid account of a brutal period, and a searing exploration of trauma, memory and loss..' The Lady Magazine. 'Have just discovered this writer ... So descriptive of the Far East. Harrowing in parts but unputdownable! Best author I have read in a very long time.' Amazon Reviewer. 'This was a story of love, passion and cruelty I could not put down ....' Lizeanne Lloyd - Lost in a Good Book I raced through this book in just over twenty-four hours ... I literally could not put it down.' Bibliobeth - Goodreads. 'I really loved this haunting, powerful and beautiful novel.' Amazon Reviewer

The Amulet

‘Heart-wrenching… I could not put it down and it will be one of those books that stay with me for a long time.’ Kirsty Whitlock, 5 stars The story of two sisters fighting to survive in the darkest days of World War Two. A heartbreaking tale of resilience and bravery, about having the courage to sacrifice yourself in order to save the ones you love… Devon, present day: Helen Cavendish’s relationship with her mother has always been strained. Her mother is quiet and stoic, with no other family to speak of, but as Helen goes through her mother’s possessions, packing her up to move her to a care home, she finds photographs of two little evacuee girls that will change everything she thought she knew… 1940: When fifteen-year-old Daisy is evacuated from her home in London, she knows she must look after her younger sister Peggy. She is the only one who can reassure Peggy that life will go back to normal, holding her close and reading to her from their one battered children’s book. But when the sisters are taken into the countryside, Daisy quickly realises that not everyone at home is on the right side of the war. Forced to work in fields alongside orphan children, she finds herself drawn to a young boy called John, who has tried and failed to escape many times before. He protects the other children, and his bravery inspires Daisy. Then Peggy gets sick and Daisy knows that, to save her life, they must run away. As the sounds of German engines grow louder above her, Daisy is faced with an impossible choice: escape with just her sister, or risk her life to save others? It’s a choice that is destined to affect her family for generations… Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Diney Costeloe and Shirley Dickson, The Runaway Sisters is a tale of heartwrenching loss and uplifting courage. It’s a story about family, and the light that can be found in the dark clouds of war. What readers are saying about The Runaway Sisters: ‘Oh my word this book was totally brilliant. Right from the first chapter I was drawn into this story… This was at times an emotional read so keep the tissues handy.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Brought me to tears on several occasions… Grabbed me from the very first chapter, and I was hooked the whole way through the book, captivated by the wartime story… Not just a heartbreaking story but also heart-warming at times. It will definitely pull at your heartstrings and make you reach for your tissues!’ Stardust Book Reviews ‘OMG what can I say brilliant book – very emotional. Total engrossed… Would recommend to everyone.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Totally captivated my interests… Ann brought real life to these characters and made us cry and laugh and love and hurt so now I feel like I truly know them and don't want to just walk away.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I loved reading this book, it draws you in and pulls at the heartstrings… Brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘A heartbreaking story of heartache, and the courage to take chances and the determination to right wrongs. Extraordinary.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I couldn’t put this book down, read it in no time… Loved it, recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I loved this book so much I went out and purchased every other book Ann Bennett has… Written so well and got me totally caught up… I would recommend this story to anyone.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book captured my attention from the first and held it until the end. It brought tears to my eyes at times and smiles to my face at others. It was truly a great read… I still have tears writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘A beautifully written story.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Had me completely absorbed… Emotional, packed with suspense, drama, romance, tension and much more. I could not put it down and it will be one of those books that stay with me for a long time after… A page-turning, heart-wrenching historical novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A heartbreaking and unforgettable World War 2 historical novel

The Runaway Sisters

The story of Sirinya and her family, from their resistance to the Japanese occupation in 1942 Thailand, to Sirinya's own return from England back to Thailand in the 1970s.

The Homecoming

"Jungle Heart" is a short story adapted from the full-length novel "Bamboo Heart" by Ann Bennett, part of a trilogy of WWII historical novels set in Southeast Asia that may be read in any order.

Jungle Heart

From award-winning author, Ann Bennett, comes a captivating story of love and loss in World War 2. A daughter's promise to her dying father, uncovers wartime secrets that cast dark shadows over three generations of one family. In 2015, 90-year old Grace Summers receives some old sketches - the work of her deceased husband, Jack. One sketch is of a beautiful Indian woman in a street in Kuala Lumpur. This brings back bitter-sweet memories of the 1940s, when Grace met and married Jack, whose world had been torn apart by his time as a prisoner of war in Burma. In 1988, Grace's daughter, Louise, embarks on a journey to Burma to fulfil a promise she made to Jack on his death-bed. She meets a young Burmese man, Zeya, an activist, and gets caught up in pro-democracy demonstrations, with tragic consequences. In 2015, Louise and her daughter Eve, retrace Louise's steps to Myanmar, to research Jack's wartime experiences and to search for the girl in his sketch. But they are unprepared for the long-buried secrets their journey will unearth...

Ann Bennett

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