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Nathan Dylan Goodwin
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Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star Hardcover – December 14, 2022

by Nathan Dylan Goodwin (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 551 ratings
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Discover the power of forgiveness in the aftermath of World War I with Harriet Agnes McDougall’s story of survival and understanding. In 1919, in the aftermath of the Great War, Harriet is plagued by the need to understand how her middle son, Malcolm, met his death in the Belgian trenches. With peace now prevailing across Europe, she embarks on a voyage of discovery to retrace her son’s movements. As she uncovers the circumstances surrounding Malcolm’s death, she also meets various young men who are returned from war only to find that they seem no longer to have a place in this altered society—something which Harriet determines to address. Will she be able to find the answers she seeks as she struggles to come to terms with the immense loss she has experienced?

For updates on Nathan Dylan Goodwin's work:
Website & newsletter: www.nathandylangoodwin.com
Twitter: @NathanDGoodwin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nathandylangoodwin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/NathanDylanGoodwin

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  1. Print length
    207 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 14, 2022
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8364872975
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BPVLPGSN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 14, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 207 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8364872975
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 551 ratings

About the author

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Nathan Dylan Goodwin

Nathan Dylan Goodwin

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Nathan Dylan Goodwin is a writer, genealogist and educator. He was born and raised in Hastings, East Sussex. Having attended school in the town, he then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Film and Television Studies, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing at Canterbury Christ Church University. A member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers’ Association, he has completed several local history books about Hastings, as well as several works of fiction, including the acclaimed Forensic Genealogist series, the Mrs McDougall Investigates series and the Venator Cold Case series.

His other interests include theatre, reading, running, skiing, travelling and, of course, genealogy. He is a qualified teacher, member of the Guild of One-Name Studies and the Society of Genealogists, as well as being a member of the Sussex Family History Group, the Norfolk Family History Society and the Kent Family History Society. He lives in Kent with his husband, son, dog and an assortment of chickens.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
551 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise this historical fiction novel for its well-researched portrayal of life after World War I, with one review highlighting its detailed depiction of the front lines. The book features superb writing that reads effortlessly, captivating characters, and maintains readers' interest throughout. Customers appreciate the emotional content, with one review noting it's sentimental but not maudlin, while another mentions its stark realism.

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Story qualityReadabilityRealismAttention spanEmotional contentResilienceWriting qualityCharacter development
11 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers praise the historical fiction elements of the book, with one customer highlighting its portrayal of life after World War I.

"...This opens her eyes to the ravages of war and the impacts on those who survived. Harriet sets out to help those who are struggling after the war...." Read more

"...This is an interesting story, but I feel as disquieted about it as Mrs McDougall feels about the war and what she learns about her sons...." Read more

"A thoughtful examination of life for the survivors after WWI in Britain, and one woman's search for the truth as to how her son died in the..." Read more

"...Superb writing, riveting storylines and kept my interest all the way to the page-turning end! Thank you - may we have more, sir?" Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fantastic, with one noting it's a good first in a series.

"...I did enjoy the book and will continue with the series." Read more

"...read the author’s eight book series and really liked it but this one was really good. Love Harriet, the main character...." Read more

"...Definitely NOT disappointed! The book was fantastic. It's quite different, but so very enjoyable. Hoping there are plans for a Book 2." Read more

"This was a very good book...." Read more

7 customers mention "Realism"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's realism, noting its well-researched content and vivid descriptions of the front.

"...I also enjoyed his description of the early establishment and care of the war cemeteries, and the scenes of the devastation of central Ypres...." Read more

"...Life after the war is depicted with stark realism, but also with a glimmer of hope. Highly recommended." Read more

"...Well researched, beautifully written. If you like the Maisie Dobbs novels you will love this. Sentimental but not maudlin...." Read more

"I have read all of the books he has written so far each one is very interesting and obviously he spends a lot of time doing research on each one...." Read more

5 customers mention "Attention span"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with one mentioning it kept their interest throughout.

"...He brings things together so nicely and keeps the reader’s attention...." Read more

"...It was quirky, yet captured my attention from start to finish." Read more

"...Superb writing, riveting storylines and kept my interest all the way to the page-turning end! Thank you - may we have more, sir?" Read more

"...The main character was inspiring, strong and fun. His books are always well researched, authentic and hard to put down." Read more

4 customers mention "Emotional content"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with one review noting it is sentimental but not maudlin.

"...The prose reads effortlessly, but it's emotionally engaging and digs thoughtfully below the surface of cliches of loss, never resorting to melodrama...." Read more

"...Love Harriet, the main character. Looking forward to Mr. Godwin’s next novel." Read more

"...If you like the Maisie Dobbs novels you will love this. Sentimental but not maudlin...." Read more

"...of a mother's grief, determination and perseverance as well as her compassion and overcoming of obstacles to find answers and bring joy and human..." Read more

4 customers mention "Resilience"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's resilience, with one noting that it holds together well.

"...read; it is more of how we deal with such loss, our need to know and resilience...." Read more

"Amazing story of a mother's grief, determination and perseverance as well as her compassion and overcoming of obstacles to find answers and bring..." Read more

"...The main character was inspiring, strong and fun. His books are always well researched, authentic and hard to put down." Read more

"...Holds together well. A good first in a series." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting that the prose reads effortlessly.

"...The prose reads effortlessly, but it's emotionally engaging and digs thoughtfully below the surface of cliches of loss, never resorting to melodrama...." Read more

"...Well researched, beautifully written. If you like the Maisie Dobbs novels you will love this. Sentimental but not maudlin...." Read more

"...Superb writing, riveting storylines and kept my interest all the way to the page-turning end! Thank you - may we have more, sir?" Read more

"It was easy reading, read it in one day. Not much of a plot though" Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters captivating.

"...Love Harriet, the main character. Looking forward to Mr. Godwin’s next novel." Read more

"Absolutely loved these characters and story. Find myself wanting to know more about their lives...." Read more

"In spite of a sad time in our history, the characters were captivating. The main character was inspiring, strong and fun...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Joanna McKenna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not Morton Farrier but definitely as good, maybe better!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I now regret not reading "Mrs McDougall" a couple of years ago when my loyalties were still in Rye with Morton. Few authors of a long-running series have the ability to develop a new cast of characters which measures up to those in the original series, but NGD has done it with Harriet McDougall. Morton fans will appreciate her search for the facts about son Malcolm's death and the events leading up to it follow the same processes Morton uses to unearth the truth for his present-day clients, but without the benefit of present-day technology or even many of the records repositories that didn't yet exist in the early 1900s. An ongoing sub-plot is the intermarriage of Harriet's Dengates and husband John's siblings. Having at least two English branches in my own family tree who did the same and many all-night online bolstered by caffeine and Excedrin sorting them out, I can attest this was not something NDG invented to spice up the interaction between main characters. Unfortunately, I lack his ability to use my own relatives to build a series as engaging as Morton has been and hopefully Harriet will be. Instead I'm content to eagerly look forward to the next installment of "Mrs. McDougall" arriving in my Inbox in the next few days!
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  • N. M. Dierker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction well done
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book turned out to be a great read for women’s history month. It’s focus is a woman who lost two of her three sons in World War I. She sets out to understand the last days of her son Malcolm. This opens her eyes to the ravages of war and the impacts on those who survived. Harriet sets out to help those who are struggling after the war. I look forward to additional installments to see how Harriet can continue to improve the lives of those left behind.
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  • SWS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, easy, excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I read this in one long day and loved it.

    As a family history enthusiast, I appreciated the skill with which Goodwin gave the protagonist only the sources that might reasonably have been available to her at the time. Today we would pay three pounds to National Archives for a war diary, but back then it took more effort. Of course, Goodwin lets Harriet have a couple of pieces of good luck (imagine if Mogridge had been killed in the war), but she's earned them.

    One of the author's quiet triumphs is showing - never telling - the protagonist's dawning realisation of the profound post war changes in society. I also enjoyed his description of the early establishment and care of the war cemeteries, and the scenes of the devastation of central Ypres.

    The prose reads effortlessly, but it's emotionally engaging and digs thoughtfully below the surface of cliches of loss, never resorting to melodrama. Harriet's reactions to her son's pyjamas are mile posts in her journey with her grief. That grief is a constant undercurrent, while on the surface the book is driven by her persistent search for details of Malcolm's end. If you're a family historian, you'll empathise with her successive attempts, and the increasing efforts she puts in to scaling her brick wall. Harriet grows in confidence with each attempt, and it's hard not to cheer her on.

    I see this book may be the start of a series. If so, I hope - notwithstanding the travel difficulties Harriet would face - that we will be able to share Edward's story in Salonika. It's good to be reminded there were many other theatres of WW1 than the Western Front and Gallipoli.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Deborah W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ghost Swifts, Blue Poppies and the Red Star
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The first chapter I cried so much I didn’t think I would be able to keep reading. Because I love Godwin’s book so much and this is the only one I haven’t read I kept going and then I couldn’t put it down. He brings things together so nicely and keeps the reader’s attention. I do hope he continues with this series although I do love the genealogy and DNA mysteries.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Nancy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I had really enjoyed the genealogy series and I was hoping this would be as good. I found it to be a slow read and almost gave up at midpoint. Although I finished the book and the end notes added historical significance to the story, overall I was disappointed.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Relatable story
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Even if one has not lost someone in wartime, it is so easy to relate to a mother's search for answers to what happened. This story is less of a genealogy search than the other Goodwin books I read; it is more of how we deal with such loss, our need to know and resilience. I particularly loved the segment where they are with the young German men who faced the same horror on the opposing side during the war and how they were met with hostility by some. Then the realization that this was not a war of their making either...they were just young men ....other mothers' sons.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Morton Farrier, Move Over. There's a New Kid on the Block!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Being a fervent Morton Farrier fan and having read all of Nathan Dylan Goodwin's forensic genealogist series, I am stunned to have to say this. (Forgive me, Morton!) GHOST SWIFTS, BLUE POPPIES AND THE RED STAR is now my favorite NDG book. Sexagenarian Harriet McDougall, an actual relative in Goodwin's family tree, becomes the heroine of Sussex, 1919 and a modern-day model of how we all should react to wounded and mentally scarred warriors returning from senseless wars. Goodwin is adept at tugging the heart strings of mothers and surely fathers everywhere. I had to place my copy of this book in the sun to dry the many tear-soaked pages. It's been a joy to watch this talented young writer become a storyteller for the ages. Goodwin's future is bright and mine is brighter because of him.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Joyce Thomas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nathan Dylan Goodwin's books never disappoint!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    You can't go wrong reading Nathan's books! They aren't easy to put down.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • AW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great author
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I’d read all of the Morton Farrier books, so I was a little disappointed when I saw this come out - I wanted more Morton books, not the author distracted with another character 🙂 However, this is a brilliant book and I take it all back. Amazing historical detail about the first world war embedded in a cracking story. I’m now torn. Which character do I want the author to write about next?
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  • Margaret A. Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awe full subject great read
    Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Interesting story about after WW1 something that the history that
    I learned in school never mentioned. My grandparents emegated from England to Canada in 1020, when they were asked why they would say for a future and change the subject now I understand! It’s absorbing the people are well described Will remember it for along time,didn’t look at the subject bought thinking that it was one of his mysteries but not disappointed.
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  • Neil McVea
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read; makes you think about benefits of War?
    Reviewed in Australia on December 4, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Well written and a Very disturbing read; War and following 'Peace' as seen from a Mother's perspective; grim insight to gas warfare; makes you think about why??
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  • Diane Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very informative and true-to-life story of WW1
    Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I like Nathan Dylan Goodwin as an author and I was not disappointed. He always puts historical facts in his stories so I am always learning.
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  • Mrs. Pearl Townsend
    5.0 out of 5 stars Terrifically Energising!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I always feel invigorated by reading Nathan’s books; always give me food for thought and this one was no different - Mrs McDougall’s energy and kindness can most certainly be transferred to any of the problems we have today (2023)…
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