In her latest novel, Wendy Louise Bardsley has tackled the horrors of the Crimean war with great empathy and, at the same time, has vividly described the pioneer work of Florence Nightingale, as a nurse in that conflict. Florence Nightingale had a calling that took her away from a comfortable life and a marriage proposal to a barracks hospital in Scutari, where she and her group of chosen nurses, would tend sick, wounded and maimed soldiers in the most foul of conditions. Florence had a great supporter for her mission, Sidney Herbert, the Minister for War, and between them, with steadfast perseverance, they secured the supplies of food, medicines and other essentials, that made life bearable for the hospital's patients and staff. In doing so, Florence Nightingale brought a glimmer of hope and light to the lives of those in darkest despair. As the Crimean war ended Florence Nightingale was honoured to receive commendation for her work from Queen Victoria, which signalled the start of a lifelong campaign to enhance the much-treasured nursing profession. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE: A LIGHT IN DARKEST CRIMEA is a stunning novel that will bring to the reader the stark reality of war.