On a rainy July day I decided I need something escapist and that it was time to read the final instalment in the seven sisters series by Lucinda Riley – The Story of Pa Salt, written by her son Harry Whittaker after her death (see my blogs on The Missing Sister and the rest of the series).

It starts as The Missing Sister ended, with the sisters gathering on the family yacht to pay respects to their late father Pa Salt. They are there with the partners they each found when researching their own adoption stories. When the last ‘missing’ sister, Merry, joins them, the revelation that she is the only biological child of Pa Salt rocks the group, and his true name is discovered.

The sisters are given their father’s diary which details his own remarkable journey from his childhood in France and Russia. On the run from the villain of the series Kreeg Ezru, he falls in love with orphan Elle they escape together across Europe, as World War Two approaches. The two build a life for themselves in each place they settle, getting to know the families that one day will lead him to his own daughters. But when boarding a liner to emigrate to Australia, Elle disappears and breaks Pa Salt’s heart.

As the sisters read his story and discuss what it means for each of them, it becomes apparent that what they have been told about his death is less than the full picture and the race is on to discover the truth. A truly satisfying end to nine years spent with these characters.