The Postcard

Written by Leah Fleming

Narrated by Elaine Claxton

2002, Australia.When Melissa discovers a postcard addressed to 'Desmond' among her recently deceased father's effects, she is determined to discover this person's identity and his relationship to her father. She soon embarks on a journey that will take her across oceans and into the past…

1930's, London. Caroline grew on a secluded Scottish estate with her 'Aunt' Phoebe. Now, the shocking realisation that Phoebe is actually her mother fuels a rebellious streak in Caroline, who elopes to Cairo to get married. But her marriage quickly turns sour and leads to an affair with an old lover, and to a baby boy, Desmond. With her personal life in tatters and WWII approaching, she volunteers as a secret agent, smuggling valuable information into Europe for the British government.

When Caroline finally returns from the war, Desmond is gone; he was secretly taken to Australia by his nanny years before. Will Caroline be able to track him down? And how will her journey to find her son lead to Melissa's mission to uncover her father's past?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK
• Release date: Jul 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781471140761

Leah Fleming

Leah Fleming was born in Lancashire of Scottish parents, and is married with four grown up children and four grandchildren. She writes full time from a haunted farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales and from the slopes of an olive grove in Crete. She is one of a group of volunteer drivers for her local branch library’s ‘Books on wheels.’

Reviews for The Postcard

[Linda Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A well scripted story. I enjoyed the characters, their interactions and the plot kept moving.

[Melinda Budgell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent story covering over three generations, captivating believable characters.

[Anita Boyle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very good book. Captivating and kept me interested all the way through

[Kathleen Kahler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great and complex story! Wonderful description of Scottish countryside, and great detail of Europe during World War II.

[Leesa Mckendrick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved it from beginning to end. The narrator is very good too.

[Meg Blanchet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful book with characters Who have steps and twists and turns of plot that kept me engaged and curious.

[Nancy Arntz Bradley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely exquisite! Healing war's terrible wounds takes a lifetime of effort.

[JENNIFER CZERNEZKYJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful family saga. I couldn't put this fabulous novel down.

[Zoelle Maria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the book a lot , even if there was plenty of grief .

[Marilyn Eisbrouch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story!! Very well written and read on audio. Intriguing stories. I will look for more by this author- on audio. Audio gives hands free to get a lot more done in house, good companion and good while driving! An avid print reader, I now am almost 100% switched over. Very helpful also as a bedtime story to drift off to sleep. Next day- just rewind to where consciousness left off.

[Betty Bennett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Multigenerational history of a family’s trials caused by bad choices, poor communication and bad luck. Ends well. Loved the way the writer kept the plot moving between the characters

[sharon dean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing book life through centuries. I was able to empathise with the characters of this story. Sometimes when you let love go you let it go forever. Well worth a read.

[Nicole Ariel Matles-Dean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I so enjoyed this novel! It’s end brings me to long for another griping tale.

[Marie Nachman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating story of family torn apart by two world wars. Even across decades it's a great story of women and survival and the sacrifice of their fathers.

[Diane Seamon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very riveting after the introductory chapter. Such a moving story with lessons learned by the characters and the reader.

[Kathy Stegman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was too much like one of your other books

[Donna Larson Christian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written and read. Thank you for the time spent going way back in history yet being right up to date. I HATE to have these stories end.

[Tanya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can't remember the last time I shed so many tears through a book. There are some truly heart wrenching moments, especially from a mother's perspective. It's a beautiful and poignant storyline that winds around full circle, with the most satisfying of endings. This is my second novel by this author and I look forward to reading more of her work. Her characters are rich and complex and I love the historical settings. The Postcard is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

[pamjw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On his death bed, Melissa's father gives her a postcard and asks her to find out about his early life. The story goes from Scotland, to Cairo, through secret war activities and out to Australia.An interesting enough story, but from the beginning the outcome of who Lew is is rather obvious. The final clue in the quest to find the missing link is so far fetched and convenient it's ridiculous! Despite that I enjoyed the different elements that made up Lew's life history.

[Juanita · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gosh, what a story! I will listen to this again. So entertaining, moving, thought provoking. Beautifully written and beautifully read.

[stephanie clay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very good story about life and how you make the best of bad situations. The main character, Calli, is portrayed very well and the narration was perfect!

[Dillon Warren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful story - everyone deserves a second chance!!!!!loved the heroine

[Ellen Monsma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely story of friendship, love, family relationships survival in wartime, and more. Very enjoyable!

[Jennifer Flather · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Drivel. Sappy beyond words with the feels that it was slapped together. Perhaps that was due to the author's illness but goodness, I am amazed I finished when I should have quit it an hour in.

[Lyn Durham · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Could have been really good if tightened up a bit. Too much frustration and very little satisfaction, at least till the very end. Lots of putting off important communication until too late. That said, the writing was excellent, no grammar problems either. You wouldn’t think the latter would be an issue with a popular published book would you? Seems to be the case often enough that beautiful grammar is a refreshing relief in modern fiction.

[Kim Ring · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book. I little bit squishier and romantic than I usually like but I enjoyed the chronological historical element. Starts off pretty slow with mainly unlikable characters, that remain mostly unlikable

[booklovers2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this story. History repeats itself within a family, choices made to protect the children end up alienating them. 3 Generations of voices in a family saga, war and love drama changes their future.