The Lace Weaver - Lauren Chater

This story tells us about the plight of two young women in Estonia during the Second World War.  Katarina and her parents are trying to survive on their small farm, but as the Russian army starts to advance they feel the tension and threats as they see their neighbors being taken away.  Relying on the support of her grandmothers knitting group Katarina  tries to keep the traditions passed onto her alive.

Lydia escapes with her nanny Olga from her oppressive uncle in Moscow to travel to the small rural town where her father is posted and her mother grew up.  Here she hears about the secrets surrounding her birth, and tries to blend in with the locals. 

I liked the two central characters, but somehow I didn't quite believe how it all strung together and felt it all rushed at the end and the last few chapters felt a little chopped together.  3/5