Fascinating and detailed exploration of the Victorian sex trade, underage prostitution and the trafficking of young girls, and the campaign by the Salvation Army and crusading journalist W T Stead to expose them. Based on meticulous research and many primary sources, it’s an often horrifying story. If I have any criticism it is that I found the long court transcripts a little tedious at times but I accept that it was necessary to include them. A really eye-opening and often shocking account.

Wow! What an eye opening read. As I was reading this unbelievable heart wrenching book I kept pausing to do additional research. The fact that The Salvation Army was involved floored me, but it was William Thomas Stead, the editor of the newspaper who fascinated me the most. Over all the writing was well done and the research was impeccable. Definitely a good read for history buffs.