Dangerous Women is a fictional story based on the real life sailing of The Rajah, a ship taking 180 convict women to Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania in 1841. Historical fiction is my favourite genre and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Would definitely recommend it to any fans of history.

This novel is a fictional account of an actual convict ship, Rajah sailing to Tasmania. The prisoners are all women. Kezia, a real person, is on board to organise and care for the women. Having been involved with Elizabeth Fry's prison work, Kezia occupies some of the women making a patchwork quilt, which exists to this day. The story departs from fact as there is a murder on board. Adams cleverly weaves fact and fiction. In the beginning, it can be a bit confusing as the story jumps between different time lines and characters. Overall, a very enjoyable book.

In 1841 the Rajah ship sets sail from London, England to Hobart, Australia. It's carrying 180 women convicts who are being transported as punishment for their petty crimes. Miss Kezia Hayter, the matron, is charged with the women's wellbeing and overseeing the creation of a large patchwork quilt with a small group of women needleworkers. When one of the women is found violently stabbed, a hunt begins for the perpetrator, knowing they must be hiding amongst them. Captain Charles Ferguson, Reverend Mr Davies and Mr Donovan, the ship's surgeon, interview the potential suspects with Miss Hayter's help. Someone is keeping a secret and someone is not who they seem.

With determined but kind Miss Hayter, the ship's matron as the primary narrator, there are also narratives from a Clara Shaw (who we suspect is on the ship under a false name, we don't know who) and Hattie Matthews (the victim) and her son Bertie. The story is told over the 15 weeks of the voyage, then and now until events coincide, revealing more of events. The characters are well drawn and convincing and Kezia is a strong woman to get behind. The focus is on the female characters, on their hard lives, their limited roles in society and how they work together to produce the coverlet / quilt. This is an enthralling and evocative debut about women, crime and the high seas that had me gripped from start to finish.

Based on a true story, the criminal mystery element is fictional, but the voyage and the Rajah Quilt are real.

This was an enjoyable historical fiction murder mystery set in 1841 and what tempted me to request it was the 'locked room' element of the story taking place on a ship in the middle of the ocean! The 'dangerous women' of the title are all convicts from prisons in England, who have been sentenced to transportation to Australia for their crimes. Adams makes it clear that the women's crimes are relatively minor, e.g. stealing fabric, however they are being punished almost in the extreme by sending them to another country for reacting to events largely out of their control (and it's hard to think that in 2021 we are still having conversations about supporting women in the justice system to escape abuse etc.). There are three female voices that tell the story of this voyage: Kezia, who is leading a project for the women to sew a quilt to teach them skills and pass the time onboard; Clara, who is escaping the hangman's noose and hoping for a fresh start, and Hattie, who is being transported with her young son for the theft of children's clothes and who will meet her fate on board.

There were some scenes that were well written and atmospheric, I particularly enjoyed the scene where Clara swaps her identity for another convicts' in order to escape being hanged as you could really picture the squalor of the prison and Clara's fear was tangible. Overall though, I struggled to "hear" the voices of the women as they all came across a bit samey to me, on several occasions I had to double check whose perspective I was reading from. The wider cast, e.g. the sewing group, also felt a bit generic which meant that I couldn't really bond with any of them. I think that the title "Dangerous Women" makes the novel sound like it will be more of a thriller style murder mystery and it really wasn't that for me. A good debut, I will keep an eye out for any future novels by Adams. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read it.

I was drawn to Dangerous Women as this is a story based on historical events. Whilst the main premise of the story is fiction, I love books that have that mix a bit of truth in there especially if it is set in the past as I always feel that it gives me a little insight into things that I am not aware of but have formed part of how we live today.
Kezia Hayter took the decision to escort 180 convicted women on their journey aboard the Rajah to serve out their sentence in Australia and hopefully make new lives for themselves. At 23 she is incredibly young and inexperienced, but she believes that she can unite these women by picking the most talented of them to complete a quilt by the end of the journey. When one of the women is attacked Kezia is determined that she is going to help the Captain get to the bottom of who was responsible and ensure that all the women are treated fairly no matter what crime they had committed to earn them a place on the ship in the first place.
The story is told through the eyes of just a few of the characters on board, each giving a different perspective of life on board ship, how they came to be there and the conditions they found themselves in going between timelines. Some are keeping secrets that they really don’t want to be known and you wonder if these secrets have a part to play in the events on board the ship.
There are so many elements to this book that it holds your attention throughout as you watch the women form alliances and friendships, slowly coming to trust Kezia as someone who they can turn to. As the journey reaches its final destination, the truth behind what happened and why is quite heart-breaking and you see how life and circumstance had broken spirits and minds and leave you hoping that they all find a better life going forward.
This is the debut novel by Hope Adams, but you would never know it. This is definitely one for fans of historical fiction and those who like me will find themselves digging into the parts of the story based in fact to find out more about what inspired the book. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future

4.5*
Based on the very real 1841 voyage of the convict ship Rajah and including several historical characters, Dangerous Women is the story of a group of women, convicted mostly of petty crimes, being transported to Tasmania, then known as Van Diemen’s Land. The chapters alternate between ‘then’ and ‘now’ giving insights into the women’s individual situations, how and why they found themselves being deported. Many had been forced into petty thievery by controlling husbands or fathers. Others stole just in order to survive.

A long sea voyage stretches ahead, and as the ship leaves land behind a young mother is fatally stabbed. All the women come under suspicion, along with the ship’s company, and one had a secret she would keep at all costs. The investigation into the stabbing is conducted by Captain Ferguson, the minister, ship’s surgeon and Kezia. Everyone is on edge with the thought of a murderer aboard, especially as none of the women were convicted of that particular crime and, of course, there’s nowhere to run.

The women began to form tentative friendships, several brought closer together as they joined the sewing group organised by Kezia Hayter, one of a group promoting the reformation of female prisoners, who has volunteered to look after the women during the voyage. Armed with a bag full of donated scraps of material Kezia persuades a number of the women to help with the creation of a quilt, with the hope of giving the women a sense of purpose and pride in their work. The end result would be gifted to the governors when they arrived at their destination.

Dangerous Women is a wonderfully fascinating representation of an historical event I knew nothing about. The punishment and treatment the women suffered for the crimes they committed was very harsh, tearing them away from families and everything familiar to send them halfway across the world, into the unknown.
The dialogue is realistic, in keeping with the characters and their situations, and the interaction between the women is just what you would expect, with squabbles and frayed tempers, as well as humorous moments. Chapters from several viewpoints work well and help to flesh out the characters.

Hope Adams has produced an impressive, extremely well written and researched debut, compelling not only because of the truth of the story but also the vivid imagery of the setting.

The Rajah Quilt is now on display in the National Gallery of Australia and the author states she has changed the names of certain convicts because descendants of the real women still live in Australia.

This was a different read for me, as it isn't a genre I would usually go for. But the plot and fact that it's based on a true story really intrigued me. I'm so glad I gave it a go. It's gripping and you find yourself muttering "one more chapter" after each one. Fantastic read

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel

an historical novel based on fact with elements of fiction, the quilt that the women were working on during the voyage is fact and is based in the national gallery of australia

this is the story of 180 condemned women being tranported to australia for crimes that they had committed, kezia haytor takes on the role as matron to these woman and tries to introduce needlework to these hard disillusioned women with the hopes that once they land they will be able to turn their lives around and maybe earn money from the skills that they have learnt during the 15 weeks at sea....

brilliantly written and knowing some of the story was based on fact and some fiction didnt hinder the story at all...

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books

I found this book really interesting, as it’s inspired by real events, and this isn’t a part of history that I’ve really read into or thought much of.

It’s a murder mystery, but also combined with stories of who the women were, what happened to put them on the ship, whether it was fair, and whether they should have been forgiven....it that age though....not exactly good to women was it?

It’s a good story and it kept me guessing to the end, and really made me think.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy

Female convicts bound for Australia - then there's a murder. In the days when you could be transported for petty crime, women on board a convict ship start to bond through making a quilt. Kezia is the woman sent to look after them. Some have secrets they really don't want exposed. Love the way each chapter starts with a description of a piece of material used in the quilt and how the women's stories gradually unfold. A murder mystery with heart. Love the cover design.

This was a brilliant story, based on an historical source, of the journey of 200 women prisoners, deported to Van Diemens Land ( Tasmania), for minor infringements, mainly relating to survival. The concept of making a patchwork quilt was exceptional and gave the women a new focus in life, whilst undertaking the journey. The ups and downs encountered made for a fascinating read.

I received an advance copy of this novel thanks to #netgalley and #Berkleybooks

Dangerous women is the heart-breaking tale of the journey 200 female convicts from London to Van Diemens island near Australia. Set in 1841, Kezia Hayter is tasked with being the matron upon the ship. She is keen and eager to enable the prisoners to be able to redeem themselves in their new home. A sudden stabbing on board leads to Kezia and three high ranking men to try and work out which of the convicts has committed the crime.

This is well researched novel that encompasses the themes of sisterhood and rebirth, the power to reinvent yourself. The characters are well written and there is a great balance in the relationship between the God fearing Miss Hayter and some of the coarser characters that reside below the decks. I found the descriptions of daily life for women in Victorian times heart wrenching. The battle between resigning yourself to the fate a man may have for you or the implications when you fight back.

Based on historical facts, I was intrigued by the Rajah quilt and found myself researching the actual coverlet for myself. The story is well paced and I found it difficult to put down. I really enjoyed this novel and would look forward to reading more by Adams in the future.

The description of ‘Dangerous Women’ appealed to me as a historical novel based on fact. The appeal increased further when I realised it was centred around a group of women convicts, responsible for the making of the Rajah Quilt, who are being deported to van Diemens Land - an interesting concept in itself.
The balance of description and action helps the reader join the passengers on the voyage and the characters develop distinctive personalities, contributing to a realistic read. However it took me a while to settle into this as Adams flits between two different times with what are sometimes very short chapters.
About halfway through I began to feel more comfortable and then enjoyed the book and the mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Based on fact, Dangerous Women tells of a group of convicts being transported to Van Forman’s land in 1841, who are given the task of making a patchwork quilt. They are overseen by Miss Kezia Hayter, who tries to see the good in all of them, even when a murder is committed on board. An uplifting tale with references at the end, so you can see the real Rajah quilt that the story is loosely based upon, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

In 1841 nearly 200 women convicts were transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) on the ship Rajah. Over a period of weeks before the ship sailed from London Docks they were gathered from a series of London prisons and “unsuitables” rejected. The trip would be expected to take from 3 to possibly 5 months or so, with the women (and accompanying children) largely restricted to large under-deck holds. Due to pressure around the treatment of women in prisons led by Elizabeth Fry and others on this trip there was to be an “experiment”. The women were to be overseen by a “matron” who was to lead them in prayer and “useful” work. The “Lady’s Improvement Society” had given each women a small parcel of goods to help in their “new lives” that included sewing tools and fabric.
But in practice it was decided that a small group of prisoners should join a sewing circle with special privileges and create a patchwork “quilt” - with an inscription detailing their gratitude. This quilt survives to this day in a museum in Canberra. Adams has seen the quilt and used it to inspire this story. The daily log of the Ship’s Captain and diary of the Surgeon survive too and these documents were used by Adams as sources of the trip. Her tale is told through “then” of pre-sail arrangements, and “now” over the latter weeks of the sail into arrival. A potentially interesting tale you might say. In practice this information was not considered sufficient for Adam’s novel so she has decided to bulk it out with a fictional deadly attack and an “investigation” to try and ascertain who was responsible. So if you are happy with a mystery, a “light” tale, with the grim realities glossed over, leading to romance and possible “happy endings” this might be the book for you.
Equally you might be more aware of the honest realities of not just prison life for women, but the serious abuses they were vulnerable to on transport ships and then as bonded labour thousands of miles from home with little chance of return. This immediately puts this novel in another light. Adams talks the theory but her text has no real “bite” or reality to the experiences of the women. It also seems to lack a depth of understanding of how a ship would function at the time physically or practically, but more critically of the rigid control hierarchies that operated and were enforced for all on board. Additionally through the text none of the women prisoners actually appear as “real” people, at best “stock” characters- “mentally disturbed”, “fallen on hard times because”, foul mouthed, hardened, working class…”, “transformed into a figure of vengeance by rape” .
But this trip was both real and exceptional – beyond, we must remember, that transformative experience for all the real (not fictional) women prisoners. On board was the “matron” a 23 year old called Kezia Hayter. She must have been an extraordinary woman, to allow herself to be selected in this way, to move beyond her normal life, to be travelled thousands of miles with strangers to the other side of world to a convict colony, on a convict ship – and at the same time to try and “improve” (save the souls) of hundreds of women prisoners. She tried to do this in a rigid male environment and with no certain other support. In reality this was an incredibly bizarre lifestyle choice. Adams fails; I think, to recognise the enormity of her decision. She does consider in minimal detail how she got from “difficult” unmarried daughter to this “leadership” role. But other than to create a largely fractious woman – who goes on to marry the captain – her characterisation (and motivation) is weak. Her religious role was to “transform” the women, but we see no real growth in her.
From the above you can see that I found this novel disappointing – doubly so because Adams has re-brought to light an extraordinary woman. Either the prisoners’ trip itself or Kezia herself, in more historically aware and focussed hands would make eye opening and challenging novels. But unfortunately do not really expect this in this book, on this occasion. Unless it is intended as a subtle reflection of the disregard for “unfortunates” and general obliviousness to the difficulties of their lives, at this time in history?

Until recently, I hadn't read too many books set on a boat. "Dangerous Women" by Hope Adams is based on a true story, sending female convicts to Tasmania in the 1840s. Aboard, they are supervised by Matron Kezia Hayter, in their sewing of the Rajah patchwork quilt which can be viewed in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Despite its title, this book wasn't as dangerous or as nasty as I thought it might be. Yes, there is a murder that happens and subsequent investigation but the characters are fairly well-mannered and polite. This is my opposite experience of reading "The English Passengers", again about people travelling to Tasmania. That was truly harrowing..

An interesting read.

Oh I do love a fiction book set in historical fact and Dangerous Women lived up to my hopes!

In 1841 The Rajah sailed from London to Van Dieman’s Land, now Tasmania. It carried 180 women and some of their children who were convicted of petty crimes and sentenced to be transported to serve their time down under. A matron called Kezia Hayter had arranged for all the ladies to have some fabrics and basic sewing equipment to enable them to learn a new skill on the voyage as part of the women’s movement to improve prison conditions for women. She also selected 20 women to create an elaborate patchwork quilt to present on their arrival which is now on display in Australia’s National Gallery.

Although the above is all historical fact the book centres on the women in the sewing circle who in this book are fictional. When one of them is stabbed on board at a time where only the sewing group were on deck they have to discover who was the attacker. Surrounded by suspicion, secrets and liars the Captain, matron, priest and doctor onboard have to work out who the guilty person is.

I loved how this was written, the structure of three separate character narratives gave us a more in-depth picture of those main characters and brought their histories together well. I also loved the feeling of being on board the ship, there is some beautiful visualisation. The storyline is enjoyable and wonderfully easy to read but I did predict the end quite early on which dampened my enjoyment a bit. I like a surprise or a twist but I had seen it coming. I highly recommend this, it’s a fascinating look at British history and has sent me off researching and learning which is always a bonus.

The easiest five star read of the year by far! Due out in March 2021, this novel is based on the true story of a group of 180 female convicts transported to Tasmania/ Van Dieman's Land. The more fictional plot of a murder whilst on board involves the reader in exploring the relationship between the female convicts, the matron in charge of them and the upper and lower class male sailors/staff on board the ship. I was fascinated by every aspect of this book including the Victorian theme of doubles and hidden identities. I highly, highly recommend this fast paced book page turner of a book.

Thank you to @netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A very measured, unsensational account of the dramatic happenings on a ship taking women convicts to Australia as punishment. At first the various women and their crimes and ways confused me but as the story progressed I was sucked into the telling of the voyage, the back-stories of some of the women and the star of it all - the making of a beautiful quilt that still exists today. Through understatement and rounded characters we understand the trials of being a woman then and the limited choices that could lead to disaster. A really thoughtful and interesting tale well told.

Bad girls at sea. Dangerous women is fiction based on fact. Set on a convict ship, the Rajah, transporting women convicts from the UK to Australia.
The author creates a claustrophobic feel of being imprisoned on a ship with hundreds of women, and with so many characters I found it extremely hard to tell them apart, even though she narrows it down to a group of fewer than 20 women, who form a sewing group to create a patchwork quilt to teach them sewing skills and to while away their time on the long journey.
A women is stabbed during the journey and the story begins to occupy two timelines then and now, now being after the attack and then, the beginning of the journey onwards. It is set over a period of a few months as it follows the course of the ships journey.
Essentially a who-dunnit, around 7 women who were nearby when the brutal attack happened fall under suspicion and are investigated by the ships Captain, Doctor, another man who I couldn't even work out who he was and the young matron in charge of the sewing women. There's a lot of confusion as to who is who and who has done what. Obviously as convicts the women have a lot of secrets and events in their past lives and as they are sailing towards what they hope will be a new life, many of them want to keep their past to themselves.
It is very gripping and had me turning page after page 'til late at night. I loved the setting on the convict ship, although I did find most of the women came across quite a bit more genteel than I would have expected.
There are plenty of plot twists and eventually the mystery of who has attempted to murder Hattie and why they may have done so is gradually revealed.