In that moment, where we hearken back to memories of Book 1, of Jean and Ted, we are reminded that love and kindness exists. I know I’d been lamenting the coldness of all the pivotal characters in the last chapter – and maybe Mr Jarvis had been feeling it as well when he was writing it – but this little interlude is the exact antidote to that. Matt’s Thoughts: Like a great piece of music that knows where to slip in a nice alternating theme to break up the momentum, so is this scene that plays out on the Bethnal Green subway station. As the trilogy finale nears its conclusion, it seems fitting to me that the words of those who are no longer living should give Neil the strength to fight for his own life, and the memories of those who once stood at his side. They might both have passed on, but in this world where time bends and warps according to the will of Fate, that doesn’t mean that they cannot be there for Neil and Edie when our young heroes most need it. Neil’s meeting with Jean, so many years on, is one of the most moving moments in this trilogy, and I wanted to do homage to the encouragement he receives, not only from her, but also from Ted and Miss Celandine.

It was then that he discovered he had no more tears to cry.Īufwader’s Thoughts: If any of you have been wondering why I was suddenly adding messages from the beyond to the ends of the obituary posts for these books, now you know.

The Fatal Strand by Robin Jarvis