Vita and the Birds is a novel written by Polly Crosby, published in 2023.
I hadn’t previously read any of Polly Crosby’s earlier books and to be honest, it was the cover that made me pick up the book. I love a pretty cover! The storyline seemed something I would enjoy – a dual timeline mystery with family secrets. Yes please!
I saw comparisons to Eve Chase, whose books I always really enjoy. I was therefore excited to give this book a try.
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Plot
In 1938, Lady Vita Goldsborough lives under the oppressive influence of her controlling brother, Aubrey. However, her life takes a new turn when she befriends local artist Dodie Blakeney, offering her a glimpse of freedom.
In 1997, after her mother’s passing, Eve Blakeney returns to the coastal town where she once spent summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Her visit, meant to help her cope with grief, takes an unexpected twist when she stumbles upon a bundle of letters.
These letters reveal the heart-wrenching story of Dodie’s relationship with a woman named Vita and a profound secret that has lingered through the decades.
What Eve discovers in these letters challenges her understanding of her family’s history, unravelling long-held secrets and transforming her life in ways she never thought possible.
Vita and the Birds Book Review
Vita and the Birds might have been my first Polly Crosby novel but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this haunting and atmospheric story.
Dodie and Vita’s relationship was captivating and I found, despite the switches in time, the story was really coherent. I liked that the more recent timeline was set in the 1990s rather than present day. Reading about what seemed like a simpler time brought a sense of nostalgia to the story.
When I’ve previously read some other dual timeline stories, I’ve found I much prefer one timeline over the other, usually the one set further in the past. It can sometimes feel a little jarring to return the present when I’m so invested in the older story. However, this wasn’t the case with Vita and the Birds. I found both timelines to be really engaging.
I loved the sense of place the author created throughout the book. The descriptions of the landscape and the Cathedral of the Marshes were so vivid I felt like I was there. The descriptions created such a dark and creepy atmosphere it gave an almost gothic feel the story.
The Cathedral of the Marshes felt like a character in its own right. It was so central to the events that happened throughout the book and its dark and menacing presence created a sinister backdrop to the story.
The story itself was intriguing, full of twists and turns with a really satisfying conclusion. The characters were complex yet likable (other than Aubrey) and I loved how it was predominantly a story about women.
There are so many themes running throughout the book including control, death, mental health and fear but I personally felt the book was really about love. Romantic love, friendship and familial love all feature heavily as the mystery unfolds.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Vita and the Birds. It was a captivating mystery with love at its core. I’ll definitely be reading more books by Polly Crosby.
What to read next
If you enjoyed Vita and the Birds and are looking for more dual timeline mysteries, I would also recommend reading The Glass House by Eve Chase and The Beloved Girls by Harriet Evans.