Tuesday 23 December 2014

THE GILDED LILY by Deborah Swift

5 GOLD STARS

Historical, 17th Century London

Originally posted on Amazon UK HERE on 25 November 2014
On Amazon.com HERE



I've just read this in two days - yes, folks, I couldn't put it down!

The Gilded Lily is a Restoration period drama about two sisters who run away from rural Westmorland to London after the elder one, Ella, robs the house in which she was in service. There is also doubt cast about her part in two deaths. It's about survival in the frightening, dark, murky alleys and squalid lodgings down by the Thames, and the steps Ella and Sadie take not to be discovered for their crimes. The novel is extremely well researched, so real. The domestic detail is fascinating, and the author describes so well the bleakness of the girls' lives.



It's hard to say why you find a novel unputdownable, but I've just spent about 4 hours curled up with the second half, and there was no way I was not going to finish it today! Ms Swift is a marvellous storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books. Highly, highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction; I didn't know much about this particular period but it's made me want to know more. You'll probably like it even if you think historical fiction is not your thing; it's just a great story, fabulously well told - a well deserved five stars!


SHADOW ON THE HIGHWAY by Deborah Swift reviewed HERE 


A DIVIDED INHERITANCE by Deborah Swift reviewed HERE

 


No comments:

Post a Comment