Linda and Levi will never meet. But they’re going to change each other’s lives.
In her role at the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit, Linda Standish investigates the lives of those who’ve died alone and tracks down any living relatives. She’s been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years. And now she’s looking forward to an early retirement.
But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda takes on one last case – that of Levi Norman – a Welshman who made his home on a remote Scottish island for the past five years.
What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse) with her arch nemesis Fergus Murray, and helped (and hindered) by local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. And in the process unexpectedly makes new friends, and discovers things about herself she never knew. (Synopsis courtesy of Penguin UK.)
Ruth Jones is an amazing writer. For those of you who don’t know who she is, Ruth is co-writer of the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey and starred in the programme herself as Nessa. I’m a big fan of the programme (I may have had a little visit to Barry Island when in Wales recently where the programme is largely set). I also adored one of her other shows, Stella. Ruth has written a few novels now and I read Never Greener a couple of years back, a great book. So I was excited to read Ruth’s latest novel, By Your Side.
Well, I adored this book. I found it charming, moving, and funny. Ruth writes such brilliant characters and evokes such a sense of community and place in her writing, I was very much transported to the remote Scottish island of Storrich with Linda on her quest to find any indication of loner Levi’s next of kin. Storrich has a great mix of characters all adding to the story.
The narrative is largely based on Linda’s story. As mentioned in the synopsis, she is heading into retirement, single, and trying to come to terms with her son and grandson moving away. There is sadness, a history we do not fully understand until much later in the novel, but this doesn’t become overly heavy. Linda is one strong, loyal, caring, and witty woman, I adored her and her adventures over in Storrich and her quest to solve the mystery over Levi.
Levi. Oh Levi. The narrative also switches to the past as Levi’s story is slowly revealed to the reader. His solitary existence in Wales, an unexpected whirlwind seeing him move to Scotland and the happiness and grief he experienced over the years. Levi’s story really pulled on my heartstrings, knowing how things end up for him. That said there’s such warmth to how everything is wrapped up and that felt so fitting for Linda and Levi.
Another great book by Ruth and I’d love Linda and co to feature in future novels. I got attached! Highly recommended.
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