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Liz Harris
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The Loose Thread: A gripping WW2 saga (Three Sisters) Kindle Edition

by Liz Harris (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 267 ratings

From award-winning author Liz Harris comes the first in the sweeping epic series Three Sisters, in which each book tells the story of one of the three Hammond girls.

The Loose Thread is Rose’s story.

Early in 1938, with the threat of WW2 little more than a shadow on the horizon, Rose Hammond marries Tom Benest, whom she hardly knows, and leaves London to go to live with Tom on his family’s farm in Jersey. There, she’s welcomed by his parents as she attempts to adjust to her new life, but meets with open hostility from Tom’s sister, Kathleen.

Less than two years later, the lives of the family are turned upside down when Jersey is cut loose from British protection. The Germans move in and seize control of the island, forcing the islanders into a perilous situation that will test their endurance and resourcefulness.

As the German Occupation tightens its grip on life on the island, Tom and Rose are torn apart in a situation of unimaginable heartbreak, which calls for the greatest of courage, and a powerful determination to survive.

A gripping, heart-breaking story of life in occupied Jersey during WWII from the author of Darjeeling Inheritance and The Road Back. Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy, Santa Montefiore and Kate Furnivall.


What readers are saying about The Road Back by Liz Harris, the award-winning first standalone novel in Distant Places.

A wonderful story of an illicit affair in Ladakh (a territory west of Tibet) in the 1950s. There is some terrific cultural detail in a splendid read. (The Bookseller)

A splendid love story, so beautifully told. Colin Dexter, O.B.E., author of the Inspector Morse novels.

One of the best books I’ve read for a long time’ is how my mother described The Road Back. The Tree House (Amazon review)

You must be very proud of the beautiful story you have written! A truly masterful novel. Kindle Barb (Amazon US review)

It's exciting and tremendously moving, draws you into the narrative and setting, and left me thoroughly satisfied by the story and with a tear in my eye…An excellent read. Welsh Annie (Amazon review)

It is a page turner that contains lovely writing and suspense. Carol McGrath (Amazon review)

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  1. Part of series
    Three Sisters
  2. Print length
    364 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    February 27, 2024
  5. File size
    757 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CR3RXJXX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Heywood Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 27, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 757 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 364 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913687403
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Three Sisters
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 267 ratings

About the author

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Liz Harris

Liz Harris

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After graduating in Law in the UK, Liz moved to California where she led a varied life - from cocktail waitressing on Sunset Strip to secretary to the CEO of a large Japanese trading company. Upon returning to England, she completed a degree in English and then taught for a number of years before developing her writing career.

Her debut novel, THE ROAD BACK, was voted Book of the Year 2012 by US Coffee Time & Romance, and in the following year, A BARGAIN STRUCK was shortlisted for the RoNA for Best Romantic Historical. These and THE LOST GIRL, EVIE UNDERCOVER, THE ART OF DECEPTION, the last two being contemporary novels set in Italy, were shortlisted in their respective categories by the Festival of Romantic Fiction. A WESTERN HEART, a novella set in Wyoming 1880, was published digitally and as an audio book.

THE DARK HORIZON introduced readers to The Linford Series, a sweeping saga set between the wars. It was followed by THE FLAME WITHIN and THE LENGTHENING SHADOW. Each of three books can be read as a standalone, and they are now available in a box set, THE LINFORD COLLECTION.

Her most recent novels, DARJEELING INHERITANCE, COCHIN FALL, HANOI SPRING and SIMLA MIST comprise THE COLONIALS. Each is a standalone set in a different location, with different characters, in different years.

EINE ERBSCHAFT IN DARJEELING, the translation into German of DARJEELING INHERITANCE, was published in July 2022, and was followed by LIEBE UND VERRAT IN COCHIN (the German version of COCHIN FALL) in October 2022.

AM TAGESENDE (THE DARK HORIZON) was published in February, 2023, and will be followed later in the year by DIE WIEDERKEHR (THE FLAME WITHIN) and IM DÄMMERLICHT (THE LENGTHENING SHADOW). All of Liz's German translations are by Ingrid Price-Gschlössl.

A second edition of THE ROAD BACK was published in August 2022, and this was followed by the publication in November 2022 of IN A FAR PLACE, which tells the story of one of the characters in THE ROAD BACK, the missionaries' son, Peter Henderson.

Liz's latest series is a trilogy, THREE SISTERS, each of which tells the story of one of the daughters of John Hammond, owner of several haberdashery stores. THE LOOSE THREAD, published in 2024, will be followed in September 2024 by THE

SILKEN KNOT. THE WOVEN LIE will be published early in 2025.

Liz now lives in Windsor, Berkshire. She's a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, The Historical Novel Society, and The Society of Authors. She gives talks and workshops at literary festivals and conferences. Her hobbies are theatre, cinema, reading and cryptic crosswords.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
267 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great World War II book.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book made me aware of additional POW camps that I had never heard of. Following people of Jersey that were sent to the camps was very interesting. Details of their journey and what happened to them after the war was something that held my interest.
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  • Merrybrook
    4.0 out of 5 stars Learned something new
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
    I have read several works of historical fiction about WW2 in the Channel Islands and researched the facts a bit on my own, but I did not realize that any residents of the Islands were deported to camps in Germany. Thankfully, the camps were not like the horrific concentration camps set up for those the Nazis deemed inferior or enemies of the state, but the conditions were still pretty awful. I liked that the book did not use a broad brush to paint all Germans as evil, cruel Nazis, but I also felt that it diminished just how bad the conditions were in the deportation camps, the Channel Islands, and in England during the war. In some ways, this book felt like a sanitized version of the war written for young children.

    I liked the story and the characters, but I wish that the author had spent more time developing the main characters and less on the supporting cast. I think that more of the story revolved around the rather ridiculous feud with the sister-in-law than on the love story of Rose and Tom. Overall, it was a decent and interesting book, but it could have been so much better if the author had focused more on Tom and Rose and their feelings and far less on far too many supporting characters. As it was, although I liked the story, I wasn't particularly emotionally invested in the fates of the characters because they didn't feel like real people. Most of the characters are not even given much a physical description, much less a window into their souls. Definitely a light read, despite the serious subject.
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  • Carol Courtney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
    This book is a touching account of a woman leaving her home and family in London to become a wife on the Island of Jersey. It follows the ups and downs of farm life and then World War II strikes. Follow the character through the uncertainity of conflict and the terror of being separated from her family both in England and Jersey and being put in a detention camp. Watch her triumph and continue to show the spirit of a woman with love for mankind. Quick read, well written, very descriptive of the time period and will tug at your heart as you root for her. Received a free copy of the book from The Niche Reader and will definitely add the author to my favorite list.
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  • L.Duncan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Channel Island
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Reading The Loose Thread and learning a bit more about the chanel Islands during WWII drew me to this book. Liz Harris is an author who is new to me. The book is a simple story, told in a simple fashion. Overall, I enjoyed the book and gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The pacing of the book is outline with dates and is helpful when the story jumps. Having said that, the jumping is sometimes well developed. Then, there are other times the story drags with details that are not throughly fleshed out.

    The main characters Tom and Rose met, married, and moved all within three months. When Rose meets her new family, the animosity from Kathleen, her sister-in-law, is harsh. Due to the timing of Tom and Rose getting married and the setting focused on WWII channel island historical events. The animosity is not sorted before a twist impacting Kathleen and Rose.

    Kathleen's character is intended to be the villain, and she plays the role very well. The telling of her character developed and brought her full circle.

    Overall, the book was enjoyable, I am grateful for the opportunity to read the early release. Thank you to Netgalley and Liz Harris for the ARC
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  • Vivian
    4.0 out of 5 stars Jersey Island during WWII
    Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
    I enjoy very much Liz Harris's books, there's always something to learn in everyone of them. This time, I learned about the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII and the deportation of British citizens to concentration camps in Germany. I have to confess that I didn't have a clue about this events, which made reading this book fascinating.
    Along with a very good plot and character development, the book immerse you into the story by the description of the locations, especially the scenery of Jersey Island but also of the way of living in the island.
    I can't wait for book 2 of this new series from an author I believe is a very good storyteller.
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  • Wendy
    4.0 out of 5 stars WWII comes to the Channel Islands
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
    Rose and Tom start their lives together on the island. Unfortunately, as Tom has to leave for the war, Rose must adapt to a very different life with his family surrounded by the German takeover. Rose is a strong woman and shows her true depth of character even at horrible odds.
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  • Chris Wy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Light Historical romance/fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
    This is a story of a couple that lives in the isle of Jersey in the English channel at the dawn of World War II. If you know nothing about the onset of the war, the Nazi occupation, rationing, treatment of the locals, etc. then this is a good book for you. It does explain the basics of the war, however it felt that the dialog was set up to explain what is going on and why instead of a natural flow of conversation. There was a lot of name dropping and event dropping into conversations to set up the background of the war.
    As they move on there is a deportation of non-native channel island residents and non-essential workers to a camp in Germany. This part was more interesting to me and I will look into this more for my own knowledge.
    Like I say in my title, this is a light historical fiction novel. Bad stuff happens but it is not the really cruel, or terrible stuff from WWII. It doesn't go that deep. This is the first of three novels about three sisters. This sister, Rose, married and moved to Jersey. We will hear about Violet and Iris in the 2nd and 3rd to follow.
    Overall, it was a decent read and I appreciated receiving a complimentary copy from the Niche Reader.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Diane McKewin
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Loose Thread
    Reviewed in Australia on January 16, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Set in London and Jersey in 1938 and leading into the German occupation of the island of Jersey, this is an interesting and well researched story. It took a turn that I didn't expect and very much surprised me.
    The Loose Thread is the first book in a series about three sisters from 1938 to 1948. I loved this story and look forward to reading the other two books.
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  • CAROL MCGRATH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Occupation
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I think this is the best war time novel set in Jersey I have read. The German Occupation of the island was exceptionally grim. When Rose Hammond one of three daughters in a family who own London haberdashery shops marries the son of a family friend who farm on the island of Jersey Rose leaves all that is familiar behind and once war breaks out she will not be reunited with her family for the duration. Once on Jersey though she is welcomed into her husband’s family , Tom’s sister, Kathleen displays exception antipathy to Rose and keeps it up until Rose is the only one who eventually shows her kindness in a time of great need. No spoilers.

    The occupation and how farming families in particular survive during it is meticulously researched and integrated into an excellent narrative by Liz Harris. The events such as hidden radios, hidden geese and other livestock, the deprivations and the relations between German soldiers and the Jersey people is so well told a reader would really see it all unfold as if present. I thought too the family relationships were handled with great empathy especially as regards Kathleen who grows through bitter and bleak experiences more than any other character endearing herself to us by the book’s final chapters. Rose is a great personality, determined, wise and steady and hers and Tom’s love has an enduring quality. Annie Benest and her husband, William, are also delightful. No so German, Klaus. Most of all I have huge admiration for the book’s structure, pace, management of time, storyline and the lovely descriptions of Jersey. This is one of Ms Harris’s best novels . It’s page turning and a novel to be savoured for its attention to detail and integrity. Highly recommended.
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  • Helena Connelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really good story!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Loose Tread by Liz Harris is an engaging story about Rose, the eldest of 3 sisters. Their parents own haberdashery shops in London and Rose helps run them. Following a short courtship, she marries a farmer from Jersey where most of the story takes place. Life as a farmer’s wife is hard and although made very welcome by her husband’s parents, Rose finds it difficult to get on with Kathleen, her sister-in-law. After war breaks out and the island is occupied Rose’s relationship with Kathleen becomes central to the plot. The story is brought to life by the interesting characters, historical facts and charming descriptions of the landscape which are always a feature of Liz Harris’s novels. I enjoyed this book so much and my only criticism is that it ended too soon! I consoled myself by reading the next in the Trilogy immediately after finishing it and although a series each book can be read as a stand alone.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling WW2 story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Set mainly in Jersey during the WW2 Occupation, this title seamlessly blends detailed historical fact with a gripping story of a family broken apart by the conflict. The author has clearly carried out huge amounts of research with tiny but fascinating details woven into the drama, and the character development throughout the book is wholely satisfying, the heroine finding deep inner strength while the fly in the ointment gradually sees the error of her ways. A good, strong story that is both informative and entertaining, a must for readers of wartime fiction.
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  • CharlyB
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating account of the occuparion of Jersey in WW2
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I knew very little about the German occupation of Jersey during WW2 but this story vividly brought the author’s carefully researched details to life for me.
    The Loose Thread is Rose’s story and tells of how she falls in love with Tom Benest, who lives with his family on a farm in Jersey. The couple marry after knowing each other for only three months. Rose is also in love with the idea of leaving behind her humdrum life in urban London and moving to a sunny island surrounded by sparkling blue sea.
    Rose’s romantic thoughts are soon tempered by the hard physical work expected of a farmer’s wife on a potato farm. The unhappy situation is made worse by the unrelentingly hostile reception of her new sister-in-law, Kathleen, who makes it clear she won’t rest until Rose returns to London. A battle of wills ensues between saintly Rose, who is determined to stay in Jersey with Tom, however much she dislikes digging up potatoes, and bitchy Kathleen, who had hoped her brother would marry her friend.
    It's a shock when war comes to Jersey and the British withdraw their protection. Soon the island is occupied by Germans. Even though many of the soldiers are friendly, some rather too friendly, life becomes hard for the islanders as they grow short of food and suffer many other privations.
    Kathleen is the most interesting character, despite also being the most unlikeable, as she navigates difficult events during the occupation. Rose is also forced to grow up during the war years and finds inner resources she didn’t know she had.
    The settings for the story are excellent and I felt as if I knew the farmhouse and the cottage where the extended Benest family lived. The author imparts her research into everyday wartime life with a light touch.
    The Loose Thread is the first of the Three Sisters series and I very much look forward to reading Iris and Violet’s stories.
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