"I have a task for you," Mary Winston announced to her young friend, Winnie, that springlike morning in March 1923. "It is something that should suit you because you like making clothes and you're good at it..."
***
Welcome to Dressmakers' Alley, a twisted place filled with dark and deadly secrets
London’s East End 1923
In the heart of Dressmakers' Alley Madame Pauline’s sweatshop is rumoured to be a particularly unpleasant place to work. Filled with seamstresses paid a pittance who turn a blind eye to what darker activities are hidden behind locked doors.
Young Winnie Brown is keen to prove her value to the Women Movements and secures a job as a seamstress to investigate the whispers of some unsavoury goings on. Her concerns are soon justifiedwhen she discovers that there are terrible things afoot, as she hears a desperate cry for help.
Meanwhile, happily married, Lady Diane Cooper is the darling of London’s high-society. Beautiful and talented, she seemingly has it all. But the strict constraints society assigns her leaves her frustrated, she craves more freedom. With the help of her devoted dresser Susie can she realise her dream?
What is the connection between Lady Diane's world and the poor exploited young women of Dressmakers' Alley?
Can the two worlds come together for the good of all?
***
This is the first book that I have read by Rosie Clarke, although I have had The Girls of Mulberry Lane on my TBR pile for a while now. She is an author that I have wanted to try so when this first in a new series came up I jumped at the opportunity to read it, and I was not disappointed.
The book had everything that you would expect to find in a book of this genre; strong characters, drama and ultimately a feel-good factor.
Set in 1923 in London's East End we meet Winnie Brown who is the main character in this book. She is a compelling character who has committed a minor criminal act in her past. We meet her when this is behind her and she is working for The Women's Movement. She has had a difficult life growing up with a mother who blamed her for everything and is now estranged. She is taken under the wing of Mary, and her policeman husband, who help her to see her true worth. I loved Winnie as a character, and watching her develop was a pleasure to read.
My only criticism of this book is that it ended quite abruptly, and I did not feel that all my questions were answered. However, I suspect that this was a deliberate ploy on the part of the author because it has left me wanting more. I can hardly wait for another book in the series to be published. In the meantime, I should find a copy of The Girls of Mulberry Lane to tide me over until then.
Having grown up in the East End myself, I love books which are set there. Obviously, I wasn't around at the time in which the book was set (even my mother had not been born then) but I recognise something of the place in this book. Stories my mother told me of my grandmother growing up during that time period caused the book to resonate with me and make this even more of a gripping story for me. Of course, it is not necessary to have this background in order to enjoy this story. I think anyone who enjoys reading sagas will lap this book up. I enjoyed it very much and I wholeheartedly recommend it to lovers of the genre.
ISBN: 978 1785131394
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback
No. of Pages: 328 (paperback)
About the Author:
Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.
(ARC and all media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)
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