By Rosie
#RosieClarke
#NetGalley
#DangerousTimesonDressmakersAlley

From the author of many popular historical sagas set in WW1 and WW2 comes this new book set in 1923 and centered around the East End of London.
Winnie is sent to work at a dressmakers and report back to "the Movement", a group who strongly believe in women's rights and they also publish a magazine that expose scandals and the group is also linked to the suffragette movement. From the moment she arrives at the workshop she can see that things are not as they should be, the girls that work there are worked hard, and definitely exploited, with hardly any breaks, not even for the toilet. Many of the girls are less than fourteen, and they are made to sleep on the premises. Winnie is sent in as an "insider spy" by the Movement, who unfortunately can't prove anything, which is where Winnie comes in. She is determined to help the girls and will stop at nothing, even risking her own safety in the process. But will Winnie eventually find the happiness she deserves herself? As Winnie had worked as a seamstress in the past she was an ideal person to work undercover and expose these scandals.
Soon she does find good friends which she definitely needs when trouble breaks out in the area and especially in the clothing workshop.
Full of London scenes with crimes and criminals aplenty, most centered around the Dressmakers Alley where the girls worked.

I was really absorbed in the story and was disappointed when I got to the last page, I really wanted to read more, I so hope that there is to be a follow-up book.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, a really enjoyable read, a five star recommendation from me.

Love love love Rosie Clarke, her books are so good.

The book is set in 1920’s and follows a girl called Winnie as she becomes part of the woman’s movement, investigating the hard times for the employees of a sweat shop

The investigation is very interesting and this was a intriguing read.

Rosie Clarke is one of my all time favourite authors, including Mulberry Lane and the Harper Girls.

This sounds like it could be the first book in a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and BoldwoodBooks for allowing me a advanced copy

Another exceptional story from Rosie. I was gripped from beginning to end. The goings on at Madame Pauline's sweatshop was terrible. Winnie was a courageous young woman with principle helped by her being a member of the women movement. I loved the character of Lady Diane Cooper and her husband who supported her. Brilliant read.

A sweet and harrowing story of the dark side of 1923 in London. I hope there is more coming, I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

This is my first read of a book by Rosie Clarke and I am thrilled that I have discovered this author through Netgalley. I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries, especially those set in the Victorian era and the 1900s as it was a fascinating time in history. This mystery however has a darker edge and I was absolutely riveted!

The story follows Winnie Brown as she strives to prove herself in the Womens Movement by investigate the dodgy happenings surrounding Madame Pauline's sweatshop. On the other side of the coin, Lady Diane Cooper and her dresser Susie become embroiled in the investigation, giving the esteemed Lady the adventure she strives for. But how do they come together and what is the connection?

A brilliantly written mystery which took me all around the houses and back again. I was utterly delighted to discover just how many books Rosie Clarke has written and I am very excited that this apears to be the beginning of a new series. Clarke is an exceptional author who knows her audience well and writes to take the reader on an investigative journey, steeped in the mire of the turn of the century, where women fought for a voice and the working classes fought to survive

Outstanding character development of relatable characters. Fantastic world building and narrative. Elegant prose, beutifully woven storylines

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rosie Clarke for this wonderful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Rosie Clark’s novel, set against the backdrop of 1920s London, effortlessly transports readers to a time of stark social divides and change. Through vivid descriptions Clark paints a picture of the East End, where the dichotomy between opulence and poverty is stark.

At the heart of the narrative is Winnie, a spirited protagonist whose journey resonates with the struggles and triumphs of women during this era. While the narrative maintains a steady pace, there are moments where it meanders, particularly in the middle, before gathering momentum once more. Yet, this unpredictability adds a layer of intrigue, keeping readers engaged until the very end, with a cliffhanger that leaves readers pondering the fate of Lady Diane and the promising venture ahead.

Overall, a lighthearted and enjoyable read, I’m looking forward to exploring more of Rosie Clarks novels. Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy for review.

Amazing! This book reads like a compendium of Rosie’s books. Characters, places and names.
Winnie Brown lives in a hostel provided by the Women’s Movement that she works for, so when it’s suggested that she take a position as a seamstress in a local sweat factory run by some shady characters to further the movement, and at the same time help less fortunate young women Winnie does so to please her friend Mary. If only she knew what lay ahead.
To say I loved this book would be a major understatement!
Lord and Lady Cooper were a rather special couple. I liked the way the unscrupulous characters came to light, and descriptions, especially Dirty Sid. I think the book shows promise of more to come, or is that wishful thinking?
My least favourite one had to be “the ring leader”

I enjoyed this novel. Found it a bit slow going in places.
It's a great read which I like. I hope there are more coming

Set in 1923, deplorable conditions exist in a clothing manufacturer’s sweat shop where poor women work as seamstresses, paid little, and mistreated. When a young woman, Winnie, gets a job there as an undercover spy for a women’s movement, she discovers a criminal underworld. At the same time, high society Lady Diane has a plan to design her own line of clothing. She enlists the aid of her maid, Susie, to help her. When the sweatshop is raided, and one of the brothers is murdered, the future of the business is at stake. The story is interesting, and keeps the reader engaged, although it lacks depth. It seemed the author couldn’t decide what kind of story to write, and bounces around between a nice story of women finding their way in a changing world, and a crime novel of exploitation and murder. Major plot twists evaporate within a few pages without a lot of struggle. Problems disappear a little too quickly and neatly. Characters are shallowly drawn. We are told that Winnie had a bad upbringing, but we do not see this history, only in an argument. We know next to nothing about Susie and her brother. It also leaves loose ends, such as who committed the final murder, and what happens to Lady Diane. Perhaps it is done for the purpose of having a second novel in the series. But for a light read, it is enjoyable.