Britain’s much-loved agony aunt, and former Allison & Busby author, Claire Rayner has died at age 79. As well as being a trained nurse and midwife, journalist and active social campaigner (winning an OBE for her services to women’s and health issues) she was also the author of countless books – both non-fiction titles and novels.

As the nation pays tribute to this remarkable woman, Allison & Busby are honoured to hold a place in her long list of achievements. We published her novel The Burning Summer back in 1972 – a moving story set in war-time London, about a young girl in the East End Jewish community whose life is overshadowed by poverty, air raids and soldiers hunting for her father who has deserted from the army.