Catrin Collier Books In Order

Publication Order of Beggars and Choosers Books

Publication Order of Detective Trevor Joseph Books

Publication Order of Farcreek Books

Publication Order of Glyndŵr Books

Publication Order of Grand Books

Publication Order of Hearts of Gold Books

Chronological Order of Hearts of Gold Books

Publication Order of Long Road to Baghdad Books

Publication Order of Swansea Girls Books

Publication Order of Tiger Bay Books

Publication Order of Tsar's Dragons Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Katherine John Collections

Catrin Collier is an English author of romance, historical fiction, and crime novels. She is the daughter of a Welsh father and a Prussian refugee mother. Catrin’s first historical book, Hearts of Gold, was adapted as a mini-television series by the BBC in 2003. Her crime novel, By Any Name, written under the pen name Katherine John, was adapted for the big screen in 2017 and aired on Amazon Prime. Catrin resides in the Gower Peninsula near Swansea with her family.

Long Road to Baghdad is the first novel in a similar series. In 1914, the Middle East was a region of growing unease. At the heart of this was Mesopotamia, where Lieutenant Harry Downe, a British officer, found himself at a crossroads. His mission was to deal with Ibn Shalan, a rebellious Bedouin Sheikh. Shalan’s tribe was notorious for attacking desert patrols and sabotaging British oil pipelines.

In a daring move, Harry offered British weapons to Shalan as a peace offering. But the Sheikh had a condition. He demanded that Harry marry his daughter, Furja. Despite the unexpected nature of this request and the cultural differences, the marriage between Harry and Furja blossomed into a profound and genuine love.

This marriage, though born from strategic necessity, angered Sheikh Shalan and was met with contempt by Harry’s fellow officers. As their personal story unfolded, the world was on the brink of a massive conflict. The First World War was approaching and would greatly impact Iraq. This conflict, often seen as a secondary theater in the war, would tragically result in the loss of 97,000 British lives.

The Long Road to Baghdad is a book that captures your attention from the start to the last page. You quickly find yourself deeply involved in the lives of its main characters. You begin to care about them, eager to know what will happen next. It weaves through themes of friendship, romance, and love, as well as the heavy burdens of duty, loss, and grief.

The novel isn’t just about the characters personal stories. It also takes you on a journey through the Mesopotamia campaign during the First World War. You are able to see how the war impacts each character differently. The soldiers and officers struggle to fulfill their duties and orders while dealing with the terrible realities of war that grow more intense as the campaign continues.

Equally compelling is the perspective of the soldiers’ families. The book shows the struggles of wives and relatives left behind. They grapple with worry, loneliness, and the changes they see in their loved ones who have gone to war. They also have to face the pain of loss and the process of grieving. The Long Road to Baghdad is a vivid exploration of the human side of war, offering a window into the lives of those on the front lines and at home.
One of the characters in the story says War does things to men. I don’t think anyone can understand what it’s like until they’ve been through it. This quote captures the essence of what makes this book important and unique. It delves into the profound and often incomprehensible effects of war on those who experience it.

Books like Long Road to Baghdad play a crucial role in our society. They help us bridge the gap in understanding the realities of war. While it’s true that only those who have lived through war can fully grasp its impact, stories like this bring us closer to comprehending these experiences. The book not only educates but also evokes empathy and a deeper understanding of the complexities of war. Its publication and widespread readership are essential for broadening our perspectives on the human consequences of war.
The author’s thorough research and factual accuracy also make Catrin Collier’s series debut novel stand out. It offers an unbiased view of the Mesopotamia campaign during World War I. Although the author warns about the book’s length, don’t let that deter you. The book is surprisingly easy to read. It’s engaging, making you turn the pages quickly.

You’ll encounter many intense scenes, which is expected in a book set in WWI. The latter part of the book, in particular, has some quite harrowing moments. These scenes hit harder because you’ve grown to care about the characters. Their experiences feel very real and impactful. The Long Road to Baghdad echoes a vital lesson from a famous and popular quote by George Santayana: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This message underscores the importance of understanding the past, and Catrin Collier’s book does an excellent job of bringing these historical events to life in a way that is both educational and deeply moving.

One Last Summer is Catrin Collier’s standalone book, published in 2007. It is a powerful story set during the Second World War. It unfolds through the diary of Charlotte, who transforms from a wealthy, innocent girl to a deeply scarred woman. The novel presents a vivid account of the brutalities of war, including graphic descriptions of violence and atrocities. These include instances of rape and murder that, while historically accurate, are shocking in their raw depiction.

Set in the now-vanished region of Prussia, the novel delves into the horrors committed not only by the Nazis but also by the Russians and Poles. The story is narrated from the present day, recounting the past through Charlotte’s diary entries. Now a formidable matriarch, Charlotte revisits her birthplace in former East Prussia with her granddaughter Laura. This journey is an attempt to reconcile with her past. The novel explores the complex dynamics within Charlotte’s family, shaped by the events of the war.

Readers will be deeply engaged with the story and moved by the characters’ experiences. The narrative provides a unique perspective on the war, reflecting those involved feelings, regrets, and humiliations. It portrays how the actions of its leaders forever marked a nation. While the novel’s intricate family relationships can be challenging to follow, the interplay of characters and the unfolding of their lives is captivating. The ending is inevitably sad, in line with the tragic historical period it depicts, but it brings a sense of closure.
One Last Summer is an epic tale rich in historical detail, offering a sympathetic yet unflinching look at the brutality and horror of war. It’s a compelling read for fans of authors like Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox and anyone interested in this tumultuous period of history.