Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

"Broken Country" by Clare Leslie Hall is a historical fiction novel set in rural England, weaving together two timelines—1955 and 1968. The story follows Beth, whose seemingly content life with her husband Frank is shaken when Gabriel Wolfe, her teenage love, returns to their village with his young son, Leo. Gabriel’s return stirs up suppressed memories and forbidden feelings, especially as Leo reminds Beth of her own son, Bobby, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth rekindles feelings for Gabriel, the village becomes a pressure cooker of jealousy and hidden resentments. The story builds toward a mysterious death and ensuing murder trial, exploring themes of love lost, grief, and the ways the past can explode into the present. Throughout, Beth is forced to confront her choices and decide what kind of woman she wants to be in the aftermath of tragedy and betrayal. The book is lauded for its evocative atmosphere, complex emotions, and slow-burning suspense.