Dangerous Women- Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Michael J Books/ Penguin Random House

Publishing Date: 4th March 2021

Genre: Fiction, historical fiction/ thriller

Kindly sent a Digital copy from the publishing team, many thanks 

Synopsis 

London, 1841.

The Rajah sails for Australia.

On board are 180 women convicted of petty crimes, sentenced to start a new life half way across the world.

Daughters, sisters, mothers - they'll never see home or family again. Despised and damned, all they have now is each other.

Until the murder.

As the fearful hunt for a killer begins, everyone on board is a suspect.

The investigation risks tearing their friendships apart . . .

But if the killer isn't found, could it cost them their last chance of freedom?

Based on a real-life voyage, Dangerous Women is a sweeping tale of confinement, hope and the terrible things we do to survive

Rating: ••••

Review 

This was such an interesting historical fiction book to read as it revolved around a real life event, which I wasn't aware about and made me read more around the situation in 1841. I do enjoy reading though evoking books and one that give that lead you to start gaining and researching more knowledge. I've recently started to read historical fiction and thoroughly enjoying it. 

All aboard the Rajah that set sails on a three month voyage transporting convicted women from London to Tasmania. 

The captain Charles, Surgeon Dr Donovan and the reverend Mr Davies, interview and start to investigate who committed the crime. Therefore the story is told from several different view points. By doing so this does not only determine what happened during the incident but also you gain different perspectives about life on the ship; relationships, friendships and the weight of secrets. 

You come to learn about the matron Kezia who is in fact only 23 years old and is vigilant and creative. You also meet Hettie who is a petty criminal but part of the sewing group and is ultimately stabbed and finally Clara who has stolen someones identity to escape a lesser sentence. I enjoyed how the chapters did alternate between the characters allowing enough time to digest information about them and you learn more about the story. There was a timeline jump from April 1841 and July 1841 but thankfully it was structured so you were aware this was happening, otherwise I would have lost the thread. 

The book holds 2 parts, one being the ship and convicted women and the patchwork quilt they put together and the fictional aspect that centres the story being the murder. I liked the fact at the start of each chapter you get to know a bit of the quilt and sections completed. The story had a few twists and turns  with some leading in the wrong direction. At times I did think the pace was a bit slow but overallI think the author merged both aspect rather well in the book.  You also learn about injustice to the women, the hope they keep and the confinement of the ship. 

The end was sublime as once the women reach the end of the journey, they have grown in character and person, the boat had become their secure place but they have some anxiety of the journey ahead. I just hoped for a bit more on this to round off the book. 

Overall the book was well written and a worthy read. I was definitely drawn in to the description of the women's surroundings and emotions. The cover is simply beautiful.