Dark Tides: A Novel (2) (The Fairmile Series)

Having read Philippa Gregory’s very underwhelming first novel in the Fairmile Series, Tidelands, I was hesitantly hopeful that her second installment, Dark Tides, would be an improvement. Unfortunately, that is not the case. When we left the main characters at the end of the last book, the mother and daughter team had decided to head to London and away from the horrible treatment they had faced in Sussex. The author begins Dark Tides twenty years later, where Alinor, still fragile from the drowning incident, and Alys, now run a small warehouse for receiving ships on the Thames. Alys’ twins, Sarah and Johnnie are both apprenticed and contribute as much as possible as well. Their calm lives are suddenly turned upside down by the appearance of three people: James Avery, the man who deserted Alinor when she was pregnant, Livia da Ricci, proclaimed widow of Rob, Alinor’s son who went to Venice to become a doctor, and Matteo, Robert’s apparent son.

Philippa Gregory is a wonderful writer of historical fiction, particularly when the stories involve the monarchy. Perhaps she should steer clear of the writing of those who lead ‘little lives’ out of the public eye. She does not seem to have the same love for them.