An atmospheric love story set in Edwardian Suffolk. Commercial literary fiction at its best.Set on the windswept Suffolk coast, Footsteps tells the story of recently-widowed Helena Mayrick, who is researching the life of her grandfather, a celebrated Edwardian photographer. Mystery surrounds Helena’s enigmatic grandmother Ruth, who disappeared shortly after WWI, only to return, fatally ill and with a child. As Helena uncovers the facts of Donaldson and Ruth’s sad life, she finds that the present, like the past, is shaped by the same cruel dilemmas and demands of love.A beautifully written, traditional, highly-accomplished second novel with the wide appeal of a strong narrative, vividly drawn characters and a historical setting.Katharine McMahon’s writing is very reminiscent of the early novels of Helen Dunmore.In the tradition of The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Birdsong.Commercial literary fiction at its best.