Last Port of Call

The Queenstown Series, Book 1

By: Jean Grainger

Narrated by: Siobhan Waring

**Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland. April 1912**

Twelve-year-old Harp Delaney is an unusual child, quiet and intelligent far beyond her years. She would rather spend her days in the library of the grand Georgian house that she sees as her home than playing on the streets with other children. Her mother, Rose, is the reserved and ladylike housekeeper at the Cliff House. The local women envy her grace and poise while the men admire her beauty. She behaves not as a servant should, but as someone who belongs at the ancestral home of eccentric loner Henry Devereaux. Nobody ever visits the Cliff House, but Harp, Rose and Henry have a happy life together, each accepting the idiosyncrasies of the others.

The day Titanic sails from Queenstown, taking with it the hopes and dreams of so many, Harp’s life too is devastated. The small port town is shaken to its foundations at the loss of the unsinkable ship, but the revelation of a long-held secret means that Harp and Rose have a much more pressing issue to solve, one that could destroy them if they cannot find a solution. Unexpectedly, fate takes a hand, and mother and daughter find themselves thrown a lifeline, one that inextricably links them to the stories of men, women and children for whom Queenstown was the last-ever sight of Ireland as they sailed away to new lands and new lives.

Last Port of Call is the first book in The Queenstown Series.

©2021 Jean Grainger (P)2022 Jean Grainger

Jean Grainger is a character master

I really enjoyed this book with all its unique and likable characters.I also was intrigued by the port now Cobh being the spot where the Titanic left for its voyage .I look forward to reading the next book to see what Harp and the others are doing next!

A truly lovely read!

This book brings one of the most delightful young characters Grainger has given us yet. Harp Delaney is a 12 year old girl who lives with her mother, who is housekepper to the wealthy family of their Queenstown city. It takes place at the time of the Titanic voyage. Harp does not fit in with her schoolmates as she is far advanced in her reading. She has read philosophy, literature and much more. Her mentor is the unmarried owner of the home cared for by Harp's mother. When her mentor dies, the will leaves the house to Harp. Her mum decides to turn it into a guesthouse for people leaving for America.
The last part of the book tells the plights of the first group of boarders and their worries and conflicts. In some ways this reminds me of Grainger's book The Tour, where each character makes decisions which will change their lives.

Ms. Grainger has a real understanding of people and what makes them tick. She writes with warmth and gentleness and I can't wait to purchase the next book in the series! This book came to me at a time when I really needed a feel good book and it lived up to my expectations and more!

Depth of young character

The writer gave a old soul feeling to a young girl in the early 1900’s. The writing took a person’s mind into the scene easily. Great character development.

Nice story

I enjoyed this book, and I will continue the series. I though the narration and characters were great.

The Last Port of Call-charming & heart warming

Loved this book-couldn’t quit listening until it was finished. I enjoyed the book from start to finish!