Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse

Forgive Me

Cheltenham, 1991

When Eva Patterson returns home from work one day, a devastating scene awaits her. Her mother, Flora, lies dead in the bath. Beside her is a note saying only: 'Forgive Me'.

Until then, Eva always believed her family's life would be comfortable and secure - but Flora's suicide changes everything. And when Eva discovers that in her will Flora left her an artist's studio in London, she realises how little she knows about her mother's past.

When Eva visits the now derelict studio, she is shocked to find out that her mother was once a successful artist back in the 1960s. A chance encounter leads her to Phil, who agrees to help her restore the studio, as well as offering her the advice and friendship Eva so badly needs.

In the studio attic she finds a collection of Flora's paintings and old diaries, which Eva believes were purposely left for her to find. Searching for answers, Eva encounters a psychic who mysteriously warns her to beware of a 'sleeping serpent', which she soon discovers refers to a shocking crime in Flora's past.

Will discovering the truth destroy Eva's belief in everything she holds dear? And will Phil stand by Eva even when her journey leads her and those she loves into certain danger? 

I borrowed the summary from Lesley Pearse's website. Forgive me starts with a shocking scene when Eva finds her mother after she's committed suicide. Afterwards Eva's world changes completely within just a few days. Eva tries to make the best of it, but then gets hurt again. In a moment of panic she moves into the house her mother's left her, but that's a complete dump. With the help of a kind stranger, Phil, she's beginning to build a future of her own. 

Eva is such a sweet main character. I loved her right away. She's terribly naive, but she learns quickly. Because Eva has such a sunny character she makes new friends easily. When she starts looking for her father there are several great candidates, only if they're actually family is the question. Not everything is positive from then on unfortunately, but the drama and the sadness are making Forgive Me such a strong story. I was completely engrossed in this book from beginning to end.