The Secret of Nightingale Wood, written by Lucy Strange, reviewed by Todd Erickson

Summary: in 1919. Henrietta, or Henry as she is called by her family, moves from London to Hope House in the English countryside with her grief-stricken mother, distant father, nanny and toddling sister, affectionately named piglet. Henry thinks she sees ghosts, which could very well be when you consider the secrets of Hope House and the tragedy that has befallen them all. In Nightingale Wood, Henry meets a strange woman, whom she calls Moth, who may or may not have it in her to save Henry and her dysfunctional family from a curse of grief, the local doctor, and all around hopelessness.

Straight Talk for Librarians: The Secret of Nightingale Wood reads like a throwback to an old timey gothic English Countryside story of mystery, fairytale and grief soaked horror. As a first person narrator, Hen makes many references to the many fairy tales and stories she knows. They are basically her only solace since her older brother's tragic death, her mother's mental unraveling and her distant father's physical absence. The tale has the light touch of a fairy tale, despite the heavy material. It builds to a fantastical conclusion, of Hen saving the day from the evil town doctor and his unwitting accomplice, her own nanny. An all-around enjoyable, if slightly maudlin story - but one of hope in a time of unimaginable sadness.