Poole of Light by R J Verity

Poole of Light

 by R J Verity

Poole of Light by R J Verity

 was published on 16th September 2025 by Vasen Press.

My thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a copy to review and to

Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me on the tour.

Synopsis

A coal-mining town. A flicker of light. A boy who dreams of more.

Spennymoor, 1913. When ten-year-old Jem Poole sees a moving picture for the first time, it ignites a spark. Raised in a northern coal-mining town marked by grief and hardship, he begins to dream of more than soot and survival. He dreams of light.

Through war, reinvention, and the golden age of British cinema, Jem rises to national success, building a legacy of silver screens and stories that define a generation. But when a figure from his past reappears, long-buried memories resurface, and he must confront the truth of the life he has built – and the memories that never let go.

Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century Britain, Poole of Light is a richly layered historical debut about ambition, identity, and the stories that shape us.

My Thoughts

This is a totally different book , plot wise, to any I have read for a while. I like the way it is set in the era when picture houses were becoming popular and they were being built to cater for the masses, whether rich or poor, and provide entertainment and a link with what was going on in the world.

Following the life of Jem from his humble , and sad, beginnings through the ups and downs of his life will take you on many paths. You will often find yourself frustrated and angry with him, whilst also feeling empathy at what he is trying to do to better himself at all costs, and the costs to him are colossal at times.

I found myself thinking so often how different life may have been for Jem if his early start in life had been different, with a mother to care for him or a Dad that didn’t then marry his first wife’s sister and the consequent journey in life that he then went on. 

A Pool of Light isn’t always an easy read , however it is a compelling one that gives you a real insight into Jem and his life and it makes you realise how the characters come to life through the descriptive writing in such a way that you feel as though you are there with them through all the hurdles that they encounter.

This is the first book in The Poole Legacy and I am looking forward to the second book, Poole of Honour by this very descriptive author.

About the Author

RJ Verity grew up in Yorkshire and studied at King’s College London before spending more than twenty years in financial services across Asia. She now lives in Guernsey with her endlessly patient husband and their spirited ten-year-old Labradinger. When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found exploring the island’s rugged coastline.

She is currently working on The Poole Legacy, her debut trilogy of historical novels. The first book in the series, Poole of Light, is out now.