Book Synopsis:
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 justified when 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?
Missing Mulberry Lane? Read Dressmakers’ Ally and you won’t be far away…
My Review:
I’m a huge fan of this author so I was incredibly excited to learn she had a new book out and even more so when I found out it was the start of a new series. Once again Rosie has written a gritty, absorbing saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the things I most love about this author’s books is her vivid descriptions which helps bring a period to life. I really felt like I was following the character’s around 1920’s London watching all the action unfold or following Winnie into this danger of the dressmakers which was quite a nerve wracking experience at times. I always love books where I learn something new and I enjoyed learning more about what life was like back then and more about the Woman’s Rights movement as well.
I thought all the characters were wonderful creations that I enjoyed learning more about throughout the book. I loved how courageous they all were putting themselves out for others in the hope of creating change. Winnie was my favourite character and I warmed to her quickly as she goes undercover in a dangerous environment. I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to go undercover like she did and my heart was in my mouth as I watched everything unfold.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more in the series. I think I went through every emotion whilst reading and there always seemed to be something happening to ensure that I couldn’t put the book down. There was some cross overs with other series which made my fan girl heart very happy, including a little trip back to Harper’s which I loved. This book definitely shows a different, gritty side of London which while fun to explore made me very glad I didn’t live there.
Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Boldwood for my copy of this book.
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.
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