Past Encounters

By: Deborah Swift

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Some memories fade, some refuse to let you go.

Rhoda Middleton suspects her husband Peter is having an affair. But when Rhoda tracks the mysterious woman down, she finds she is not his lover after all, but the wife of his wartime best friend, Archie Foster.

There is only one problem - Rhoda has never even heard of Archie Foster.

Hurt and bewildered by this betrayal of trust, Rhoda tries to find out why Peter has kept his friendship with Archie hidden for so long.

Taking us on a journey from the atmospheric filming of the romantic wartime classic, Brief Encounter, to the extraordinary Great March of prisoners of war through snow-bound Germany in 1945, this is a novel of friendship, hope, and how in the end, it is the small things that enable love to survive.

BookViral Millennium Awards Best in Genre

©2014 Deborah Swift/Davina Blake (P)2017 Deborah Swift/Davina Blake

Critic reviews

"For lovers of history and drama this is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon." (BookGeeks)

Good Grief

I read tons of WW2 books. I kept saying, "good grief." I guess I do not like husband's who live double lives.

Thoughtful and original

This is one of the best books I’ve listened to in quite a while. It examined aspects of the war we don’t hear about as much, and had really compelling characters.

Touching

A sad and touching story with a touch of hope. Very well written with complex and realistic characters. I liked it that the story started 10 years after the war and that a reader was discovering the impact of the war on their present lives. Peter ' s war time memories were heartbreaking, his friendship with Archie and loyalty to his wife were a testament to his characters. I was especially touched by Rhoda 's observation that it was easier to lose a person than a dream. Clinging to a memory of a beautiful dream didn't allow her to value what good she had in her life.

Stevie Zimmerman 's beautiful narration made this book even more poignant. Inability to communicate, unspoken feelings between the couple were wonderfully underlined by her ability to convey emotions.
Highly recommended.