A seashell and a sealed letter form a tenuous connection to a forbidden wartime romance 1937.

Simon’s Town is a vibrant and diverse community in a picturesque part of the Union of South Africa. At the heart of the town is the Royal Navy port, and Louise Ahrendts, daughter of a shipbuilder, nurtures the idea that through hard work she could step beyond a destiny of domestic service. She dreams of becoming a nurse and she has the tenacity to make this dream a reality.

When the Second World War breaks out and the port becomes a hub of activity, Louise’s path crosses with that of Lieutenant David Horrocks. Despite the gulf in their backgrounds and the expectations facing them from family on both sides, Louise and David are determined to be together. 

But as the end of the war approaches and a new troubled moment of history dawns, will they find their way back to each other?

About the author

Barbara Mutch was born and brought up in South Africa, the granddaughter of Irish immigrants. Before embarking on a writing career, she launched and managed a number of businesses both in South Africa and the UK. She is married and has two sons. For most of the year the family lives in Surrey but spends time whenever possible at their home in the Cape. When not writing, Barbara is a pianist, a keen enthusiast of the Cape’s birds and landscape or fynbos.

For more information on The Girl From Simon's Town and for a look at Barbara Mutch's research for the book visit her website.

The Girl From Simon's Town is distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball Publishers.