After forty years of happy marriage, Leonard thought he knew his wife Rose as well as he knew himself...

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"Fiona Robyn is an accomplished writer with a deep understanding of human nature.  Her evocative descriptions of the natural world and English flora are among the best I've read."

Michelle McGrane, author of Hybrid and blogger at peony moon

"The Blue Handbag by Fiona Robyn is an excellent read. The novel is written in the third person present tense which took me by surprise. But it works so well. I was "in" there straightaway from the first page. The protagonist, Leonard, is an endearing widower who is so real and normal that I warmed to him straightaway. The plot twists and turns but you never flounder and think where's all this going? That there's a secret is obvious from the start. But what the secret is, is revealed very cleverly, layer by layer.

The author has a couple of red herrings lying in wait and I found myself changing my mind just as Leonard does, as more information is revealed. It's almost a mystery, without a murder! If you like "solve it" type of novels, this would be one for you. But even if you're not into mystery novels, this is worth a read. The romance is tender, the pace, although "here and now" is actually quite fast paced. The reader sees things through Leonard's eyes and follows his train of thought as it goes off at a tangent - just like one's thoughts do in real life. But you have to keep reading. You have to find out what the secret is. A very neat, concise novel, an interesting cast of characters and a compelling plot that draws you along. Great for a holiday read or a back to work read - I rate this novel very highly indeed. And don't be put off by someone comparing Fiona Robyn to Joanna Trollope. Robyn is miles better than Trollope"

'Star Ling', reviewed on Amazon

"To deal with the death of his wife Rose must be hard enough, but when he discovers some items in her blue handbag Leonard, a gentle soul, has to contend with the possibility that he doesn't know his wife as well as he thought he did and that she may have been keeping secrets from him.

Gardener, Leonard, decides that instead of mulling things over and working himself up into a state he must take action, but peace of mind may not always lead to happiness. With the help of Lily, his wife's old school friend, he tentatively delves into uncovering secrets which have lain dormant for years. Will he be strong enough to cope with the consequences?

Fiona Robyn writes with remarkable perception about one man's tenacious search for answers and the knowledge that the truth may not be what he wants to hear. She strikes the perfect balance between a captivating, yet realistic plot, and the accurate portrayal of her characters' intricate lives and the relationships they build. As this story unfolds Robyn has captured the essence of what it means to have one's life thrown into disarray, and how it is possible to overcome life's obstacles with caring friendships and a loving family, even though they each also have their own issues to deal with. Pickles the dog is also a sweetheart and plays an important role in Leonard's life as his coping mechanism and faithful friend. This book made me smile, laugh out loud and shed a tear. Now, that's what I call entertainment!"

Sassy Brit from Alternative Read, reviewed on Amazon

"The story is a real intrigue. From the moment Leonard finds the blue handbag in the first chapter, I had such a drive to know more. The Blue Handbag is such a lovely read. I really recommend it."

Annie Clarkson, poet and blogger at forgetting the time (read the whole review here)

"The Blue Handbag", by Fiona Robyn, is no lightweight "chick-lit" as the misleading cover may suggest.

It is a gentle and thoughtful story about a widower exploring his wife's life after her death, and the writing is full of poignancy and evocative descriptions which bury you deep into the characters and the setting. There is also hope and love and above all a compelling mystery so you become so caught up and engrossed that it is difficult to put down.

I enjoyed it tremendously and I believe it would appeal to people of any age or background. For a new novelist Fiona Robyn has made a hugely impressive start and long may it continue."

H Hall, reviewed on Amazon

"I really enjoyed The Blue Handbag. I found myself engaged with Leonard; I liked him as a quiet but believable sort of character, I loved his silly moments and the details of his life with Rose, and I ended up really wanting to hear more about him and his world."

Katie Rathfelder, reader

"I like Fiona’s writing. Some of the passages seep into your head like a cool balm straight to the brain. A perfect read in the garden book."

Michael, blogger at Badelynge (read the whole review here)

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