Disclosure:This book was a promotional copy, sent to me for review purposes. Affiliate links are used within this post which gives me a small commission when you make a purchase.
In interconnected plots, the stories of three British men who have suffered both physical and emotional turmoil in their lives are told in Jill Dawson’s The Tell-Tale Heart.
At only 50, Patrick is saved by a heart transplant at what could be seen as a perfect time for a new start. In the face of a potential scandal at work, and a personal life that consists of unfinished and unsettled relationships, he could be at the figurative crossroads upon which many thoughtful novels are constructed. What changes will a new heart bring to his life? A related question could be, how much of who we are is centered in the heart?
In two other story lines, readers learn of the lives of both the teenage boy whose death provided the donor heart for Patrick, and his ancestor whose involvement in 18th century labor riots caused him to serve time in a primitive jail and lose his father. In fact, all three characters’ loss of a parent in their childhood left a major impression that affected their later choices in life.
As Patrick learns more about his donor, Drew Beamish, he finds himself with very little desire to return to his previous life in London. Though Patrick begins to experience a few strange connections to his heart donor through dreams and mental images, there wasn’t a big crossover event like I was expecting. Rather, this reads as three character-driven stories with connections in both people and themes of love and loss. There were several occasions in which I needed to consult a dictionary for help with some of the British vernacular or terms with which I was unfamiliar, especially in the descriptions of the natural environment. The author’s writing style tended to wander at times and I found myself needing to re-read passages for clarity. Overall, though, this was a pleasant read that took me to different places and times as it explored the ways in which we see and value the heart.