★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

I am so thrilled to be revisiting Reckoner's Row once again in this third installment of this delightful series. THE MERSEY MOTHERS picks up three years after the previous "The Mersey Girls" left off. And while each book can be read as a standalone, all three tie in together with the ongoing backstory that unfolds throughout them all.

In THE MERSEY MOTHERS, not only do we revisit the residents of Reckoner's Row, but the original story in which Evie Kilgaren's mother Rene had disappeared during the coldest winter of 1947, her body later uncovered when the canal thawed. In the first book "The Mersey Orphan" (originally titled "The Orphan's Daughter"), after Rene's body was discovered, Evie's father Frank had been arrested for her murder and later imprisoned in a Mental Asylum for the Criminally Insane.

The story begins with a Prologue detailing the lead-up and thus Rene Kilgaren's demise from a rather different perspective before moving forward to 1953 where the story picks up with the excitement of the upcoming coronation of the new Queen. Life in Reckoner's Row has moved on although it was deeply affected by WW2 with rationing and shortages still rife some eight years later.

After buying the haulage yard from his step-father, Danny Harris (Skinner) is now struggling to keep the yard running with the opening of a new more competitive rival on the dock road, Lenard's Haulage. Evie Kilgaren works hard at keeping the books but with the business beginning to fail, she secretly advertises for more account keeping work to keep their head above water. Evie doesn't know how Lenard's knows who their customers are or how they are undercutting them but if they continue, Skinner's & Son will not survive.

The woman Danny had known as his mother growing up, Ada Harris, takes centre stage in much of this story as word reaches her that her good-for-nothing husband she kicked out three years ago after it was discovered he had been blackmailing Danny's step-father, Henry Skinner, is nearing death's door. Ada doesn't believe it for one minute and takes her time in knocking on his boarding house's door. But the Bert Harris she knew was a shadow of the man he used to be; shrivelled up skin and bone laying on his bug-ridden bed. He directed Ada to a cupboard and a box that was hidden there but expired before he could confess much more. All he had told her was that he knew who really killed Rene Kilgaren. Ada was scared that the box would contain proof that Bert had done the deed so therefore was too frightened to open it herself and hid it away upon arriving home.

Meanwhile, there is plenty going on in the Row with the upcoming coronation as the community prepares while trying to get by as they do best. Evie and her 16 year old sister are worried for their brother Jack who was in Korea under the National Service and had been for two years, though it had been some time since they had heard from him. Lucy was no an apprentice at Madame Barbery's Coiffure and was taking part in the Apprentice of the Year Awards at the exclusive Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.

While in the shadows, nefarious activities continue to play out behind the scenes with the blackmarket and a murder case to solve. And as always, there are some dubious characters which will make your skin crawl as you hope they get their comeuppance. Susie Blackthorn, a regular thorn (pun intended) in both Danny and Evie's side, is back with a vengeance. But will she finally win out?

There are several stories interwoven throughout this wonderful family saga and it seems almost fitting that everything appears to come full circle by the end. It would certainly make an appropriate end to the series but I would love to see more of the Reckoner's Row residents whom I have grown fond of. I love this style of fiction as it mixes historical with a bit of mystery, that probably isn't all that mysterious in fact, but makes for entertaining and compelling reading. THE MERSEY MOTHERS is indeed an addictive read I couldn't put down and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

While it can be read as a standalone, as there is enough backstory supplied so that the reader doesn't miss out, THE MERSEY MOTHERS is fully appreciated best in conjunction with the first two books in the series. I love Sheila Riley's style and I loved that she dropped a mention of Ruby's Emporium (from her other Docklands series) a couple of times into the story.

Another wonderfully addictive historical fiction saga, THE MERSEY MOTHERS is perfect for fans of feel-good family sagas such as Rosie Clarke and Nadine Dorries.

I would like to thank #SheilaRiley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheMerseyMothers in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

This is the third book in the Reckoners Row series. Times are hard for Danny as he struggles to keep up with a new haulage firm which keeps undercutting him and taking his jobs. He try’s to keep his worry’s away from his beloved Evie who’s doing the same to him. As if that’s not enough to worry about Evie’s Dad escapes from the asylum where he’s been locked up for the murder of her Mum. There’s lots going on in this book and it will keep you gripped from page one. I highly recommend this series.

The Mersey Mothers is the third in the Reckoners Row series and the first book I have read by Sheila Riley. I look forward to going back to read the books that came before this one. There are quite a few characters to keep track of and I found Evie to be my favorite, full of love for her family and Danny, as well as determination to do what it takes to help keep her soon-to-be-husband’s business from going under. While she works hard to keep the business afloat, a mysterious man escapes from prison and a dying man leaves behind information about the murder of Evie’s mother.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have read several books by this author and enjoyed all I have read. The Mersey Mothers is the 3rd book in the Reckoner's Row series. I have not read the two earlier ones and while I do wish I had, because the author is fab, this one did read well as a stand-alone novel.

This book opens with a prologue and then jumps forward a few years. Set in Liverpool in 1953 the residents of Reckoner's Row are hard-working, supportive of their families and also of their community. When one of their own does something to upset the harmony then it is made known, as Ada Harris is all too aware. There is a story about her ex-husband Bert that gradually emerges and how things have changed for the main characters. This may have been present in the previous books but the author includes details so that I didn't feel as if I was missing anything.

The area is near the docklands and is handy for haulage businesses, and this is what Danny and his fiance Evie are desperately trying to keep going. There is however a rival business that is threatening their livelihood.

In the 50s there are several historical references to keep the reader set in the day. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the Korean War and also rationing started to be more relaxed after the end of WWII. The country is starting to move forward, things are improving but life is still hard. This is where the communities, friendships and families are really important. This is one of the things the author really does manage to get across well in her books and The Mersey Mothers have all that sense of spirit and supportiveness.

There are several stories that are brilliantly intertwined in this family saga style story. It is these stories that make this a fabulous book to read. Families and friendships may be tested but there is a sense that the community will always keep an eye out for their own. Things are not always rosy and there are still those who are trying to get one over the rest.

This is another wonderfully addictive historical fiction story from this author. Ideal for those who love reading family sagas and while it can be read easily as a stand-alone novel you do get to see developments and changes over the course of reading a series in order. I adored this one and I would definitely recommend it.

Wow, what a book, just loved it. I was so excited to read this. Danny has taken over Skinner’s yard and together with his darling Evie try to build it up. However, unknown to them the spiteful Susie is trying to bring them down as repayment for Evie taking Danny from her (as she sees it). The first mistake she makes is asking the wrong person to help her!
Ada gets a shock when the old rogue Bert asks to see because he’s I’ll and wants to come clean on a truth he’s been keeping quiet about for the last 6yrs. Revealing this could have devastating consequences for some, and prove fortunate for others! I found myself shouting out as this developed. Totally recommend this book.

first time reading about the Mersey mothers and thoroughly enjoyed it, loved the characters and the storyline was good, looking forward to reading more about them all

This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. Historical fiction...a fun read...Likable quirky characters...a story that is difficult to put down...I enjoyed reading this story. Grab a comfy afghan, a cup of steaming hot tea (herbal), a delicious scone...spend an afternoon reading about the past...enjoy enjoy...

The Mersey Mothers by Sheila Riley is a compelling historical novel set in 1953. It is part of the Reckoners Row series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel has a powerful opening that grabbed my attention immediately and kept me questioning and returning, in my mind, to the start throughout. It is set in 1947 before jumping to 1953 but I wanted to know the truth about what had really happened and who had done what?
Reckoners Row is a place of community. We see life happen on a microcosm with love and care juxtaposed against deep-seated rivalries. We witness the effects when a jealousy gets out of hand.
Family is important. Family is not always blood ties but those who love us.
Education is the key to lifting lives out of poverty. We see this as we follow a sixteen year old with her hairdressing apprenticeship.
There is a cold case murder to solve. Is a life innocent? Or guilty? Some folks know more than they are letting on.
1953 sees the characters, along with the reader, eagerly anticipating Elizabeth II’s coronation. Interestingly a character receives a television to watch the event, just as my Dad and his family got their first television to watch it too. I felt a connection with the character.
All the characters are well drawn, likable and realistic. I ’felt’ a part of their community as I ‘shared’ in their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Mersey Mothers and cannot wait to read more by Sheila Riley.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This is book #3 of the Reckoner’s Row series, set in Liverpool, post war and on the run up to the Queen’s coronation in 1953. The residents of Reckoner’s Row are still finding things tough, and rationing is still in place. There is a wedding on the horizon for Evie Kilgaren and Danny Harris, but secrets come tumbling out when Ada Harris’s estranged husband, Bert, reveals a deathbed secret.

I must admit that I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, and I did struggle with the characters backstories. The author has done a good job of including some of the history in the story, but I do think I would have connected with the characters better if I had read the previous books. The characters are however likeable and their stories in this book are endearing and emotional. The storyline shows well the struggles which communities such as these were still facing so long after the war had finished. I particularly liked Ada’s character and felt for her predicament having to decide what to do with Bert’s deathbed confession.

The book flowed along at a good pace, taking you into the heart of the women’s lives and homes. The storyline gave good insight into what life was like then, and I loved the location of Liverpool and was able to picture the areas despite it probably being many years that they were last seen like that. The story was filled with sadness, happiness, friends and family and it was an easy to read, heart-warming book with a touch of mystery and a lot of love and life. I would, however, recommend that the books are read in series order as I don’t think they work well as a standalone, but I will be going back to read the previous two to catch up on the characters backstories!

Fantastic instalment of the mersey saga. This was a brilliantly written book and nice to meet old and new characters alike. Looking forward to further instalments and adventures of the Mersey mothers.
Highly recommended read

I love reading Sheila Riley's work as she draws you into the story and you feel all the emotions the characters do.This is an excellent book with a story that grips you 5*

The Mersey Mothers a heartbreaker that I just could not put down.
Reckoners Row book three in the series.
Liverpool 1953 we join Evie Kilgaren and Danny Harris building up the haulage business and work is slow with competition from Lenard haulage.
living in Reckoners Row with her sister Lucy and her brother Jack away doing national service, a breakout at the asylum Frank Kilgaren her father is on the loose, pleading his not guilty over their mothers murder, the truth has to be found as I carried on reading.
A touching story from all the characters like you are in the story with them all. I love this authors work on this series, she brings so much joy and pleasure to her readers.

The Mersey Mothers by Sheila Riley - Post WW2 Saga 19th April Rachel netgalley 4*
We are back by the Mersey this time after the war. Many items are still rationed and the occupants of Reckoners Row pull together to get through tough times. They have their differences and spats but when push comes to shove they all pull together.Ada’s estranged husband Bert tells her shortly before he dies that he knows a secret and where he has hidden the evidence. Ada is suspicious of him as he has always been one to look out for no one but himself- is he telling the truth and what effect might this have on others?
This is book three in the series and although stands alone the characters would make more sense if the others in the series have also been read. A look back at times gone by and how through tough times and having very little many got through by sheer guts and determination- “She squeezed a penny so hard she thought it might scream”. A book of strong characters mostly with hearts of gold and caring when no one else would give a damn with a mystery and drama nicely enveloped. A heartwarming read.
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The Mersey Mothers by Sheila Riley

Liverpool 1953
January sees the dawn of the Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation year as the mothers of Reckoners Row unite in preparation for the celebration of the new Queen.
Meanwhile Evie Kilgaren is dreaming of her summer wedding to Danny Harris, but trouble looms for Skinner & Sons with a new rival trying to put them out of business, but no-one knows why....
Ada Harris is summoned to the bedside of her estranged husband, who, in his dying moment confesses to a deadly secret - he knows who really murdered Evie’s mam Rene all those years ago and the consequences are far reaching.
Another great read on this wonderful series by Sheila Riley.
The author manages to capture the era and those that lived through it perfectly . A perfect read. Also brilliant timing to coincide with the jubilee year .