Spennymoor, 1913. A boy from a coal-mining town sees a moving picture for the first time – and glimpses a life beyond his reach. Jem Poole grows up in hardship, shaped by loss and class division. But from that first flicker of light, he is determined to build something more. As war and social upheaval reshape Britain, Jem finds his way into the emerging world of cinema – and success opens doors once closed to him. But ambition comes at a cost. The higher he climbs, the more he risks losing. And the past is not done with him yet. Perfect for readers who enjoy Character-led historical fiction with strong emotional stakes - Stories of reinvention and buried pasts - Early twentieth-century Britain and the rise of cinema Readers of Amor Towles, Anthony Doerr and Kate Atkinson will find the same emotional depth, rich historical detail, and a story that keeps the pages turning. Book One of The Poole Legacy Follow three generations of one family across a century of change. Each novel stands alone, while building a larger story of choices and their consequences. Also available as an eBook: Bright Light , a companion short story set during the events of this novel. Readers love Poole of Light “Spectacular – I couldn’t put it down.” Reader review “Epic, moving, beautifully observed.” Reader review “Atmospheric, authentic and entertaining.” Reader review Praise for RJ Verity “Verity has an amazing talent for bringing characters vividly to life.” — Jenny O’Brien, bestselling author “Rich, vivid and unforgettable – a compelling new voice in historical fiction.” “An exquisite debut that captures the transformative power of storytelling." ★ "A deeply moving story that blends history, cinema and personal ambition in an exceptionally powerful way." ★ " Spectacular - I couldn't put it down." ★ "Verity writes with the confidence and nuance of a seasoned author ." ★ " Fast-paced , emotionally rich , and impossible to put down ." ★ "A rich, gripping and vivid debut that captures the rise of cinema and the grit of the North." Poole of Light , the first novel in The Poole Legacy trilogy by RJ Verity, has garnered exceptional praise from early readers for its immersive storytelling , vivid historical backdrop and powerful emotional core . Set in Northern England from the coalfields of 1913 through the golden age of cinema in 1930s-40s Leeds, the novel charts the rise of Jeremiah "Jem" Poole from poverty to prominence in the emerging British film industry . Along the way, Jem navigates family loss , social divides , love , betrayal and the hard cost of ambition . Readers have praised Verity's ability to bring history to life with lyrical clarity and cinematic flair , blending grit and glamour across a backdrop of two world wars and the birth of modern entertainment. The book's attention to historical and cultural detail - from the harsh realities of mining towns to the elegance of art deco cinemas - has been called " immersive" and " utterly transporting ." At the heart of the novel lies a complex, emotionally charged portrait of Jem: ambitious , conflicted and heartbreakingly human . Alongside him, richly drawn characters like Daisy Briscoe and Cara add depth and tension to a sweeping narrative full of twists and emotional weight. With its historical scope , unforgettable characters and resonant themes of identity , resilience and reinvention , Poole of Light offers a powerful and evocative opening to a trilogy readers can't wait to continue. "Verity has an amazing talent." - Jenny O'Brien, bestselling author of Silent Cry , on reviewing Bright Light , prequel to Poole of LIght. "Great plot, well written and engaging characters." - Mya Roberts, author of Song of the Sea. "A real page-turner — impressively well-researched and full of authentic detail." - Giles Woodforde, Cinema Theatre Association (CTA)