The Lost Orphan: A Novel

The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls has Bess Bright at the Foundling Hospital in late November of 1747. Bess had given birth to a little girl that day and her father is with her waiting her turn on lottery night. Bess is unmarried and unable to keep her daughter, Clara at this time. Six years later, Bess returns to reclaim Clara only to discover to that someone—using her name—reclaimed the child the day after Bess left her at London’s Foundling Hospital. She does not know how an individual knew the correct information to give to claim Clara. Bess is determined to discover who took her daughter and why they did it. Not far away, a widow of means lives a quiet life with her daughter. They only venture outside on Sunday for church. Her one friend is kindly local doctor. He suggests that she hire a nursemaid and introduces her to one. The widow is reluctant to add someone to her orderly home, but she agrees after seeing how the child and nursemaid get on together. The widow has a secret, though, that if discovered could change everything. The Lost Orphan is an engaging historical novel. I was drawn into the story and was reluctant to put it down to get chores done (the cats were determined to get their dinner though). I found it to be well-written with realistic characters. The author captured time and place. I could tell Stacey Halls did her research. I thought the plot was captivating. It is told from Bess’s and the widow’s point-of-views. We get to see the situation from both perspectives which I appreciated. There is some foul language (very little) in the story along with some violent situations (just so you are aware). The author provided vivid descriptions which really bring the story alive. The Lost Orphan is a raw and gritty story that draw you in from the very first page.