The Complicated History of Thomas - Van Kevin Den Berg

Two decades, two lives torn apart, and one dark secret that ties them together.

1945

When five-year-old Thomas is adopted by Dr. Ernest Bingham and his wife, Sarah, it seems like a fresh start. But their peaceful life in the Moorlands shatters when a tragic accident leaves their home in flames-and Sarah dead. Grief-stricken and resentful, Ernest makes a decision that will haunt them both forever.

1961 Surrey, England

Seventeen-year-old Rosemary Manson dreams of love and a bright future, but one night changes everything. After a horrifying encounter on a bridge, her innocence is shattered, and her focus shifts to mere survival.

Meanwhile, Freddy Dawson-a troubled teenager-keeps a sinister journal that connects the lives of Thomas, Rosemary, and himself in dark and unexpected ways. Among Freddy's targets is a respected deacon, whose secrets may tie him to the past and to an act of vengeance years in the making.

Inspector Derek Swanson's investigation uncovers disturbing truths as he works alongside Elizabeth Ann Kearney to help Thomas and Rosemary reclaim their lives. But with trauma and betrayal shaping their paths, can they ever truly heal?

As the web of connections unfolds, the question remains: will redemption prevail, or will the past destroy everything in its wake?

A powerful tale of loss, survival, and redemption, this gripping novel explores the darkest corners of the human spirit and the fight to find hope against all odds.