THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

By ROSIE WALSH Mantle

Emma is a well-known ecologist while her husband, Leo, is an obituary writer for a British newspaper. This includes writing “in case” obituaries for well-known people who are seriously ill or getting on in years.

When Emma is diagnosed with cancer, Leo copes with the news by writing an “in case” obituary for her. In his research, he discovers that most of what he knows about his wife’s life is largely a lie.

As the traumatic events of Emma’s former life emerge, it becomes clear that several people could be “the love of her life”.

Her mother died while giving birth to her, and her father died in her teens. Her grandmother brought her up and stood by her during the dark times of her life, as did her friend, Jill.

This fast-moving story tells of her secret life and Leo’s journey learning about it .

The reader is never sure how each person will react to the discoveries and how the twists and turns will ultimately affect the hoped-for ending. I was compelled to read all weekend to see how it would all play out.