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Convict Girls #2
Girl of Shadows
What had they done? What had she and Sarah and Friday done?
1830: Convict girls Friday Woolfe, Harriet Clarke and Sarah Morgan have been transported to Sydney from London. Sarah has been assigned to jeweller Adam Green, Harriet is a maid for the Barrett family, and Friday is working as a prostitute in a brothel. Each of them is struggling to forget the brutal crime they committed.
But their fate is no longer theirs to control. Vicious underworld queen Bella Jackson holds the girls' futures in the palm of her hand, biding her time until she exacts payment for what she knows about their misdeeds.
Harriet, racked with guilt, becomes convinced that their lost friend is haunting them, and while Friday succumbs to the bottle, Sarah has to fight for everything she holds dear. Once again, the girls must join forces to save one of their own. But which one?
And in the background Bella Jackson waits and watches ...
1830: Convict girls Friday Woolfe, Harriet Clarke and Sarah Morgan have been transported to Sydney from London. Sarah has been assigned to jeweller Adam Green, Harriet is a maid for the Barrett family, and Friday is working as a prostitute in a brothel. Each of them is struggling to forget the brutal crime they committed.
But their fate is no longer theirs to control. Vicious underworld queen Bella Jackson holds the girls' futures in the palm of her hand, biding her time until she exacts payment for what she knows about their misdeeds.
Harriet, racked with guilt, becomes convinced that their lost friend is haunting them, and while Friday succumbs to the bottle, Sarah has to fight for everything she holds dear. Once again, the girls must join forces to save one of their own. But which one?
And in the background Bella Jackson waits and watches ...
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
92 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Challinor
24 books249 followersBorn in Huntly, she holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 24, 2015
Settled in their assignments in 1830 Sydney, convict girls Friday Woolfe, Sarah Morgan and Harrie Clarke found themselves riddled with guilt over the crime which had occurred the previous year. Sarah had been assigned to Adam Green as her expertise as a jeweller meant she could assist him in his jewellery shop. But his wife hated Sarah with a passion – her jealousy was easy to see; and Sarah disliked Esther as much if not more. Harrie enjoyed her work as a maid with the Barrett family – their many children kept her busy while she enjoyed utilizing her skills with needle work helping Nora Barrett. Friday was assigned to Mrs. Elizabeth Hislop and worked as a prostitute in an upmarket brothel; even though she didn’t particularly enjoy her work, she was happy enough. They all needed to make as much money as possible to put toward the Charlotte fund – little Charlotte with Janie and her daughter Rosie resided at the Female Factory and needed the money to survive…
Bella Jackson who had arrived on the Isla from England with them had used the wiles she’d learned on the streets of London and was married to a much older but wealthy free man. But it meant Bella could do as she chose, and the continuing path of evil that she was on meant Sarah, Harrie and Friday had to be on full alert; for Bella knew what had transpired and she had ways and means of keeping the upper hand over the friends.
As time moved forward the three girls realized the web of danger was closing tightly around them. With Harrie distressed and sad, her health was concerning Sarah and Friday more each time they saw her. But Friday had her own demons to fight – her drinking was becoming a problem; but that was the only way she could forget. Sarah found herself struggling once again – the friends needed to come together with a plan. But what could they do?
Absolutely brilliant! I loved Girl of Shadows, which is the second in the Convict girls series by Aussie author Deborah Challinor. When I turned the last page I was tempted to start the third book immediately, but resisted! I’ll savor the anticipation for a little while…
In my mind, this is historical fiction at its best. 1830s Sydney Australia is made so incredibly real by the author, and while it is fiction, the detail is authentic. A great read; a great series – one I recommend highly to all lovers of the genre. But please read it in order:)
Bella Jackson who had arrived on the Isla from England with them had used the wiles she’d learned on the streets of London and was married to a much older but wealthy free man. But it meant Bella could do as she chose, and the continuing path of evil that she was on meant Sarah, Harrie and Friday had to be on full alert; for Bella knew what had transpired and she had ways and means of keeping the upper hand over the friends.
As time moved forward the three girls realized the web of danger was closing tightly around them. With Harrie distressed and sad, her health was concerning Sarah and Friday more each time they saw her. But Friday had her own demons to fight – her drinking was becoming a problem; but that was the only way she could forget. Sarah found herself struggling once again – the friends needed to come together with a plan. But what could they do?
Absolutely brilliant! I loved Girl of Shadows, which is the second in the Convict girls series by Aussie author Deborah Challinor. When I turned the last page I was tempted to start the third book immediately, but resisted! I’ll savor the anticipation for a little while…
In my mind, this is historical fiction at its best. 1830s Sydney Australia is made so incredibly real by the author, and while it is fiction, the detail is authentic. A great read; a great series – one I recommend highly to all lovers of the genre. But please read it in order:)
February 8, 2017
4.5★
Still a fun read about old Sydney (1830s) and the four convict girls (one now a ghost) struggling with masters and life a long way from whence they came.
I loved the first book of this series, Behind the Sun, which introduced us to the girls, and I enjoyed the second, but this time I did stumble across a few phrases that I found irritatingly modern--not enough to stop me reading, though.
We follow the same girls, but his time, Rachel is a flaxen-haired ghost – or is she? Whether she really is or not doesn’t matter, as she is still a useful character to help scare the ne’er-do-wells who threaten the girls.
They are terrified of being reported by the evil Bella (Jackson) Shand for a crime she knows about, which will certainly mean the gallows. Harrie is appalled when Bella happens to see and speak threateningly to her when Harrie’s hiding in the bushes behind someone’s house (long story).
“Would seeing Harrie remind Bella of what she knew about them? Of course it would. Would there be a demand soon? Or would it be the police knocking on the Barretts’ door early one morning?
God, she couldn’t bear this! Her mind felt so tormented and jagged and . . . brittle. Once again her hands suddenly felt like ice, she couldn’t feel her mouth, and the sensation of falling swept over her. Her arms flew out, but she was fine, it was only in her head. Then she bent over, hands on knees, and vomited.”
Later in the book, Friday is worrying about Bella’s power over all of them “but the strain seemed to be ruining Harrie, wearing her down and fraying her from the inside out, until soon there might be no Harrie left, just a little pile of disconnected threads.”
And it’s gentle Harrie who talks to Rachel’s ghost. Friday is still the mad, voluptuous, redheaded whore working in a brothel (illegally) while Sarah is the sleek, clever, dark-haired jeweller and “crackmaster” who can open any lock. Harrie can draw or sew anything but considers herself dull and her hair “mouse-brown”.
Friday, on the other hand, describes Harrie (to a potential rival): “She has beautiful thick, nutmeggy hair, a very pretty face with lovely rosebud lips, and a gorgeous curvy figure with fantastic tits.” They are very loyal friends indeed. And there's a bit of sex in this one, although with Friday, it's a regular subject, of course.
Good descriptions of early Sydney and everyday life--nice to have a bit of history spliced into the story here and there. The markets are upgraded with the livestock moving out of the middle of town, and trade seems to be brisk. Hardly a tourist mecca then, but colourful.
Good fun and a good read which I’d have enjoyed more without the intrusion of modern idioms.
Still a fun read about old Sydney (1830s) and the four convict girls (one now a ghost) struggling with masters and life a long way from whence they came.
I loved the first book of this series, Behind the Sun, which introduced us to the girls, and I enjoyed the second, but this time I did stumble across a few phrases that I found irritatingly modern--not enough to stop me reading, though.
We follow the same girls, but his time, Rachel is a flaxen-haired ghost – or is she? Whether she really is or not doesn’t matter, as she is still a useful character to help scare the ne’er-do-wells who threaten the girls.
They are terrified of being reported by the evil Bella (Jackson) Shand for a crime she knows about, which will certainly mean the gallows. Harrie is appalled when Bella happens to see and speak threateningly to her when Harrie’s hiding in the bushes behind someone’s house (long story).
“Would seeing Harrie remind Bella of what she knew about them? Of course it would. Would there be a demand soon? Or would it be the police knocking on the Barretts’ door early one morning?
God, she couldn’t bear this! Her mind felt so tormented and jagged and . . . brittle. Once again her hands suddenly felt like ice, she couldn’t feel her mouth, and the sensation of falling swept over her. Her arms flew out, but she was fine, it was only in her head. Then she bent over, hands on knees, and vomited.”
Later in the book, Friday is worrying about Bella’s power over all of them “but the strain seemed to be ruining Harrie, wearing her down and fraying her from the inside out, until soon there might be no Harrie left, just a little pile of disconnected threads.”
And it’s gentle Harrie who talks to Rachel’s ghost. Friday is still the mad, voluptuous, redheaded whore working in a brothel (illegally) while Sarah is the sleek, clever, dark-haired jeweller and “crackmaster” who can open any lock. Harrie can draw or sew anything but considers herself dull and her hair “mouse-brown”.
Friday, on the other hand, describes Harrie (to a potential rival): “She has beautiful thick, nutmeggy hair, a very pretty face with lovely rosebud lips, and a gorgeous curvy figure with fantastic tits.” They are very loyal friends indeed. And there's a bit of sex in this one, although with Friday, it's a regular subject, of course.
Good descriptions of early Sydney and everyday life--nice to have a bit of history spliced into the story here and there. The markets are upgraded with the livestock moving out of the middle of town, and trade seems to be brisk. Hardly a tourist mecca then, but colourful.
Good fun and a good read which I’d have enjoyed more without the intrusion of modern idioms.
January 1, 2015
Girl of Shadows by Deborah Challinor is the sequel to Behind the Sun by the same author.
I have been captivated by this story from the very beginning of "Behind the Sun", and I just know I am going to miss reading about these characters while I now wait in anticipation for the next book to come out!
Like Its prequel: "Behind the Sun"...every single page held interest and intrigue, making it another real page turner.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Girl of Shadows" which continues the story of these three girls who have tightly bonded together in friendship since being convicted of various crimes and transported to the Colonies in 1828 on the convict ship 'Isla' together.
The story follows the trials and tribulations of Friday Woolfe, Harrie Clark and Sarah Morgan as they try to forget their past and forge new lives as assignees to different Masters in 1830's Sydney Town whilst serving out the terms of their convictions.
Each girl is faced with unique challenges brought about by their assignments in very different roles and with very different Masters, and each girl copes with those challenges in their own very different and individual ways.
Added to these challenges are the ongoing problems and complications from previous relationships and commitments made, which cause the dynamics of the group as a whole to ride an emotional roller coaster, in often very testing and tormenting ways as past acquaintances also resurface to play havoc with their lives and livelihoods.
The story again gains pace when a combination of unforeseen events threatens to alter the course of their lives yet again and puts them in a very potentially dangerous and dire predicament.
The author has done a fine job in creating great and credible characters with individually complex personalities which keep the story flowing from one to the other without losing pace or interest....which in turn gives this story loads of scope to follow the paths of these girls in different directions in their individual and combined efforts to carve out a new existence in a relatively new colony....whilst all the time holding the reader captive by [convincingly] injecting regular pitfalls.
Compelling to the last page, great continuity, and still leaves you wanting more!
The author has promised a 3rd book to be called "The Silk Thief"...I look forward to reading it and adding it to my collection also.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction or Fiction in general.
Another..Highly recommended. 4.5*s
June 21, 2019
It was a couple of years since I read the first book in this series, and I was very pleased that I made some detailed notes in a spoiler to refresh my memory so I’m going to do it again. There are major spoilers in the spoiler tag below so don’t open the tag if you haven’t read the book.
I enjoyed this set in Sydney in the 1830s, although there is some bad language, violence and a small amount of graphic sex. I will continue with the series and must try not to leave it so long before I read the next one.
I enjoyed this set in Sydney in the 1830s, although there is some bad language, violence and a small amount of graphic sex. I will continue with the series and must try not to leave it so long before I read the next one.
November 25, 2020
5 stars
Girl of Shadows is the second book in Deborah Challinor convict girl series and it’s a cracker!
With Rachel now deceased; Friday, Harriet and Sarah have avenged her death by murdering the man that killed her. Whilst they may have escaped the police seeing them do it; there was one witnesses, their arch nemesis Bella Jackson.
As Bella blackmails the trio to keep their secret; Harriet starts to see visions of Rachel and have conversations with her. Friday and Sarah are worried for her, but with Friday hitting the bottle worse than ever before and Sarah’s husband in jail for a crime he didn’t commit; will the girls all survive or will life as a convict in Sydney be too much to bear?
What a read! I really enjoyed the first book in the series as the girls journeyed from England to the colony of NSW. Now settled, book takes us from September 1830 to July 1831 and there is a lot going on. This made for an engaging plot which made it very difficult to put this book down.
Again, there was a wide cast of characters but they all play an important role and it was good to see a lot of the characters from the first book in a way that allowed us to get the know the supporting cast better.
Whilst you could read Girl of Shadows as a stand alone book; I think you’ll enjoy it a lot more if you read Behind the Sun first.
Girl of Shadows is an absolute must read for fans of historical fiction and I can’t recommend this series enough. Although fiction, the historical accuracy is spot on and this, along with the writing; makes it very easy to picture life in the 1830s. I cannot wait to devour book three, The Silk Thief.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
Girl of Shadows is the second book in Deborah Challinor convict girl series and it’s a cracker!
With Rachel now deceased; Friday, Harriet and Sarah have avenged her death by murdering the man that killed her. Whilst they may have escaped the police seeing them do it; there was one witnesses, their arch nemesis Bella Jackson.
As Bella blackmails the trio to keep their secret; Harriet starts to see visions of Rachel and have conversations with her. Friday and Sarah are worried for her, but with Friday hitting the bottle worse than ever before and Sarah’s husband in jail for a crime he didn’t commit; will the girls all survive or will life as a convict in Sydney be too much to bear?
What a read! I really enjoyed the first book in the series as the girls journeyed from England to the colony of NSW. Now settled, book takes us from September 1830 to July 1831 and there is a lot going on. This made for an engaging plot which made it very difficult to put this book down.
Again, there was a wide cast of characters but they all play an important role and it was good to see a lot of the characters from the first book in a way that allowed us to get the know the supporting cast better.
Whilst you could read Girl of Shadows as a stand alone book; I think you’ll enjoy it a lot more if you read Behind the Sun first.
Girl of Shadows is an absolute must read for fans of historical fiction and I can’t recommend this series enough. Although fiction, the historical accuracy is spot on and this, along with the writing; makes it very easy to picture life in the 1830s. I cannot wait to devour book three, The Silk Thief.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
November 1, 2017
I am constantly blown away by this series. I very quickly fell in love with the first book, and this one was no different. The action very quickly picked up from the first page, and drew me in. I remembered enough of the previous story to not be a bother, and the climax was drawn out and rather delicious. There was no real resolution per se, which was a tiny bit of a disappointment, but I think I will have to read the next one in the series very soon.
March 25, 2014
Slower than the first book in this series ('Follow the Sun')with fewer twists and turns - setting up for Book 3? The historical research is very detailed and the characters are well-developed. I'll be reading Book 3 when it comes out in October - I'm interested to see where Challinor takes the girls next......
May 30, 2015
Girl of Shadow’s is a fabulous 2nd book in the Deborah Challinor’s trilogy that started off with Behind the Sun. Deborah has an incredible ability to transport the reader to 1830’s Sydney and fans of this historical convict era will love this series. I have the 3rd book sitting in my TBR pile but might savour it for a bit longer before finishing off the series. Highly recommend…..
April 6, 2019
The second instalment of the saga is still a quick and entertaining read, but it lacks the focus the first one had and feels more like an episode of Friends-in-historical-Sydney series. The historical background is well researched and fascinating, but there are many not really necessary additions and the pace in uneven.
April 19, 2018
After visiting Sydney last year, I started reading the first book in this series. I love knowing the history of places I visit, and being able to view landmarks and places I have read about. I love being able to say "I know where they are" because I have been to the Rocks, I have walked where these characters have walked. It's something I find cool.
A workmate leant me this book and it has been sitting on my shelf for 6 months. Did I feel bad not returning it to her sooner? You bet I did. Was I in the mood to read it 6 months ago? Nope. Is my TBR lost spiraling out of control? Don't you know it. Am I glad I finally read Girl of Shadows? Yes!!
I enjoyed this second book more than the first for the simple reasons being the humor. I'm sure the first story made me laugh (I read it 6 months ago, I can't remember exactly), but the whole Rachel ghost aspect was so funny!
I'll definitely be picking up the third book, hopefully within the next 6 months.
A workmate leant me this book and it has been sitting on my shelf for 6 months. Did I feel bad not returning it to her sooner? You bet I did. Was I in the mood to read it 6 months ago? Nope. Is my TBR lost spiraling out of control? Don't you know it. Am I glad I finally read Girl of Shadows? Yes!!
I enjoyed this second book more than the first for the simple reasons being the humor. I'm sure the first story made me laugh (I read it 6 months ago, I can't remember exactly), but the whole Rachel ghost aspect was so funny!
I'll definitely be picking up the third book, hopefully within the next 6 months.
August 27, 2024
I don’t think this should be compared to the first book considering it is a continuation of the story, and I am so happy I still have 2 more to go.
I love this style of writing and I just can’t even explain how much I enjoyed this - such an easy read to lose yourself in.
The bond these women have formed is so strong they would literally do anything for each other.
I cannot wait to read the next one which I already have in my hand and find out what happens next!!
I love this style of writing and I just can’t even explain how much I enjoyed this - such an easy read to lose yourself in.
The bond these women have formed is so strong they would literally do anything for each other.
I cannot wait to read the next one which I already have in my hand and find out what happens next!!
May 7, 2018
Some reviewers mentioned liking this book better than the first in the series. I preferred the first one since I found this one slower and not as interesting. Still well written so I’ve now started the third book. 3.75 Stars
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April 5, 2022I enjoyed this version of early Australiana through the eyes and words of Deborah Challinor .
It was a good and entertaining read and the characters are excellent and believable . Will read more of Challinor boo
ks.
It was a good and entertaining read and the characters are excellent and believable . Will read more of Challinor boo
ks.
August 19, 2017
book 2 inthis series....brilliant
January 6, 2018
Better than book 1
May 26, 2019
Great story
August 17, 2019
Really enjoyed reading more about the 3 friends.
October 2, 2019
Great series
May 2, 2020
Love, love, love
May 3, 2020
Book 2 done...2 more to go!
I am enjoying following the convict lives of Friday, Sarah & Harrie as they start their new lives in Sydney in the 1830's & I can't wait to read the next installment!
I am enjoying following the convict lives of Friday, Sarah & Harrie as they start their new lives in Sydney in the 1830's & I can't wait to read the next installment!
June 21, 2020
This second book in the series still has me enthralled by the characters and setting
September 28, 2022
This is the 2nd book in the series and was thoroughly enjoyable, always kept me interested and a fantastic story line.
November 7, 2022
Interesting follow on in the series of e
January 29, 2024
Enjoying this series and would re-read again in future
June 29, 2024
Love this series.
February 2, 2014
Girl of Shadows is the second book in a series of four following a group of girls convicted in London and transported to Sydney, Australia. (The third book, The Silk Thief, will be released late 2014). Attracted to this book because I loved Behind the Sun, I eagerly began reading to catch up with Friday, Harrie and Sarah’s escapades. After their revenge on a man who hurt their friend, the threesome was being blackmailed by their archenemy Bella Jackson. Where would this book take them? Would they ever be free of Bella’s demands?
As you might expect, being only halfway through the series means that not all of my questions were answered in this book. All the action takes place in Sydney (comparing the map in the front of the book with the Sydney of today is very interesting!) which is very interesting historically. However, there are not too many new characters introduced (several characters from the transportation boat make a second appearance), demonstrating just how small Sydney was at the time. I felt this book moved much more slowly than Behind the Sun, without the drama of conviction and transportation. As the group are now three and separated over Sydney, there wasn’t as much interaction between the girls.
I did find what each of the girls were doing interesting. Friday has turned back to brothel work with a penchant for getting new tattoos on the side. Harrie is still working in the same house as a maid/seamstress, but her master introduces her to a tattoo artist in the hope that her drawing new designs will make both of them a bob or two. I found this somewhat odd, as Harrie has always been the most straitlaced girl of the group and I didn’t think she’d react to the tattooing positively. She takes to the idea very well and it appears that there’s scope for her to become involved in inking the tattoo in the future. While this is going on, Harrie is becoming increasingly consumed with guilt over the attack in the first book and starts conversing with her dead friend Rachel. When it turns out Rachel died of an infection rather than at the mistreatment of others, Harrie only becomes worse. She acts even further out of character that has her friends even more worried. Meanwhile, Sarah is trying to haunt her mistress, which has unforeseen consequences that complicates things even further.
There’s more romance in this book than the first one, which I thought was a natural progression as the girls grew up. Readers will be surprised to see who gets married first – it’s certainly not the girl I expected!
While I enjoyed this book, I felt it moved a little too slowly. A lot happened in the first book and so it was with perhaps false expectations that I thought this book would be full of twists, turns, action and betrayals. It does set up things nicely for the third book, with many questions added and a cliff-hanger ending which will make the girls’ lives even more difficult. I will still keep reading because the historical research is exceptionally well done and it’s rare to find that level of detail combined with good characterisation. Plus, I really can’t leave the girls where they are now…over the course of the series I’ve felt like they’ve become friends and I need to make sure that everything will turn out well for them!
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As you might expect, being only halfway through the series means that not all of my questions were answered in this book. All the action takes place in Sydney (comparing the map in the front of the book with the Sydney of today is very interesting!) which is very interesting historically. However, there are not too many new characters introduced (several characters from the transportation boat make a second appearance), demonstrating just how small Sydney was at the time. I felt this book moved much more slowly than Behind the Sun, without the drama of conviction and transportation. As the group are now three and separated over Sydney, there wasn’t as much interaction between the girls.
I did find what each of the girls were doing interesting. Friday has turned back to brothel work with a penchant for getting new tattoos on the side. Harrie is still working in the same house as a maid/seamstress, but her master introduces her to a tattoo artist in the hope that her drawing new designs will make both of them a bob or two. I found this somewhat odd, as Harrie has always been the most straitlaced girl of the group and I didn’t think she’d react to the tattooing positively. She takes to the idea very well and it appears that there’s scope for her to become involved in inking the tattoo in the future. While this is going on, Harrie is becoming increasingly consumed with guilt over the attack in the first book and starts conversing with her dead friend Rachel. When it turns out Rachel died of an infection rather than at the mistreatment of others, Harrie only becomes worse. She acts even further out of character that has her friends even more worried. Meanwhile, Sarah is trying to haunt her mistress, which has unforeseen consequences that complicates things even further.
There’s more romance in this book than the first one, which I thought was a natural progression as the girls grew up. Readers will be surprised to see who gets married first – it’s certainly not the girl I expected!
While I enjoyed this book, I felt it moved a little too slowly. A lot happened in the first book and so it was with perhaps false expectations that I thought this book would be full of twists, turns, action and betrayals. It does set up things nicely for the third book, with many questions added and a cliff-hanger ending which will make the girls’ lives even more difficult. I will still keep reading because the historical research is exceptionally well done and it’s rare to find that level of detail combined with good characterisation. Plus, I really can’t leave the girls where they are now…over the course of the series I’ve felt like they’ve become friends and I need to make sure that everything will turn out well for them!
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April 17, 2016
The girl of the title is Sarah Morgan, who was sent to New South Wales for theft and not, fortunately, for her real skill as a safe cracker. This latter skill – and the fact that it is not known -comes in handy as the story progresses and she needs to help replenish money that was taken from Adam. That is only one fascinating story of course. Still threaded through the novel is the continuing dramas and dangers all the girls’ experience. They work hard to support Rachel’s baby which is a burden made even harder by Bella Jackson.
Challinor continues with the fine historical detail that adds so much interest to the setting. The pacing keeps me turning the page and wanting to know more and to hope for the best for the girls. It is not only the historical details that add authenticity but the convict girls’ stories are also compelling.
Challinor continues with the fine historical detail that adds so much interest to the setting. The pacing keeps me turning the page and wanting to know more and to hope for the best for the girls. It is not only the historical details that add authenticity but the convict girls’ stories are also compelling.
August 3, 2016
I don't know what stops this being rated higher. It is a GOOD book but not a great one. The settings and characters are original, the research deep and the writing flows easily. So why does it not rate higher for me?
I have recently read "The Luminaries" and "A Tale for the Time Being." Both books break new ground stylistically and, more importantly, reveal new truths about the human condition. They both fulfill the criteria of leading us to look at the world and human experiences in a new way. Whereas "Girl of Shadows" records and interesting story but does not reveal new insights.
Still worth a read though.
I have recently read "The Luminaries" and "A Tale for the Time Being." Both books break new ground stylistically and, more importantly, reveal new truths about the human condition. They both fulfill the criteria of leading us to look at the world and human experiences in a new way. Whereas "Girl of Shadows" records and interesting story but does not reveal new insights.
Still worth a read though.
February 14, 2018
Set in the 1830s in Sydney this is the ongoing story of convict girls Friday Woolfe, Harriet Clark and Sarah Morgan. The feisty, irreverent Friday is working in a brothel, the quieter Harrie works as a maid, but begins to explore her artistic skills tattooing, and the clever Sarah works with jeweller Adam Green. The three of them work hard to raise money to support Rachel's child Charlotte. Meanwhile the evil Bella blackmails them with knowledge of the revenge crime they have committed. This begins to pull at the three, as Harrie begins to communicate with dead Rachel's ghost and Friday takes to the bottle. A great story with romance, adventure and a vivid historical backdrop.
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