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Ginny Bell

Gillian Bell Ginny Bell went to school in Dover, and then worked as an editor for several major publishing houses. She left to become a freelance editor and writer, and was inspired to write The Dover Café series after a trip to Dover Castle educated her on the hardships and heroism of the people of the town during World War II.

Latest book: RETURN TO THE DOVER CAFÉ. Book 4 in the Dover Café series, published by Bonnier Zaffre, May 2024

Dover, 1941

All is not well at Castle's Café. Since the fatal shooting, customers have been staying away, and now Nellie finds herself in debt to the sinister Terence Carter. But when a deadly attack strikes close to home, these troubles pale into insignificance.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Castle's relationship with family friend Reenie Turner has deepened, and in the aftermath of the attack that could so easily have killed them, they decide to get married.

But the return of an old friend threatens to expose a long-held secret, leaving the wedding teetering on the brink of disaster . . .

THE DOVER CAFÉ UNDER FIRE Book 3 in The Dover Café series published by Bonnier Zaffre, September 2022

Gillian Bell - The Dover Cafe Under Fire Dover, 1940

As firebombs fall on Dover, Edie Castle's life is thrown into turmoil when the garage where she lives and works is damaged and her beloved boss is arrested.

With no job and nowhere else to go, Edie returns to Castle's Café and her formidable mother, Nellie. Living with her mother is never easy, but tensions reach boiling point when an old friend arrives looking for a place to stay.

Meanwhile, desperate to clear her boss's name, Edie turns to his nephew for help. But when the café is engulfed in scandal, a shocking tragedy brings long-buried memories to the surface, and Edie realises she can't trust anyone - not even her own mother . . .

THE DOVER CAFÉ ON THE FRONT LINE. Book 2 in The Dover Café series

Dover, 1940 With the Battle of Britain raging overhead and German guns firing across the Channel, the people of Dover suddenly find themselves on the front line. But despite the danger, Nellie Castle is determined to keep the café open, no matter what.

For Nellie's daughter, Lily, it is an exciting time as she starts her nursing career. The work is demanding, but with romance on the horizon, she still finds time to enjoy herself. That is until a prisoner escapes from the hospital and everything she holds dear - including her freedom - is put at risk.

Meanwhile there are strange goings-on at the café: rumours are circulating and long-buried secrets are surfacing. Secrets that could tear the Castle family apart once and for all . . .

THE DOVER CAFE AT WAR published by Bonnier Zaffre, September2020. Book 1 in The Dover Café series,

Dover, 1939
At the heart of Market Square lies Castle's Café, run by the formidable Nellie Castle and her six children.
Since the scandalous birth of her son ten years ago, Marianne, Nellie's eldest daughter, has preferred to stay in the kitchen, hidden away from the scrutiny of the town gossips. Overcome with shame, she has never revealed the identity of Donny's father – not even to her own mother.
But with World War II just around the corner, soon Marianne's past catches up with her. And suddenly the lives of the Castle family become a lot more complicated.
Will the secrets from her past destroy their future?

Praise for The Dover Café at War
‘Brilliantly written and researched … I loved it.’ Rosie Goodwin
'A brilliant evocation of a family and community pulling together in wartime. Full of drama, laughter, and nail biting cliff hangers. A triumph!' Annie Clarke, author of The Factory Girls series
'Well-researched and expertly written . . . Perfect for those days when all you want is a book to lose yourself in.' Fiona Ford, author of The Liberty Girls