Outcast

Emma Grady #1

by Josephine Cox

As history threatens to repeat itself, the actions of one young woman lead to tragic consequences...

On a fateful night in 1860, Thadius Grady realises, too late, that he has made a grave mistake. In blind faith he has put himself and his daughter Emma at the mercy of his sister and her conniving husband, Caleb Crowther - for he has entrusted to them his entire fortune and the daughter he adores. With his dying breath he pleads to see his daughter one last time - but Caleb's heart is made of stone.

A feared Lancashire Justice, Caleb Crowther is a womaniser and a gambler, and now the inheritance due to Emma is as much in his hands as is the beautiful Emma Grady herself. But Caleb lives in fear of the past, for how did Emma's mother mysteriously die? And what made Thadius and Caleb hate the river people so intensely? History seems likely to repeat itself when Emma falls helplessly in love with Marlow Tanner, a young bargee. For Marlow and Emma, it is an impossible love - a love made in Heaven, but which could carry them both to Hell...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Josephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.

She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.

Reviews

[Tracey Brown]

I enjoyed this historical story. Set in Blackburn during the demise of the cotton industry. The story about a girl who’s father dies leaving her fate and legacy in the hands of her cruel uncle and aunt.

[Kelly Furniss]

I had this recommended to me. It was an enjoyable book but quite simplistic. I read it quickly and have gone on to read the others in the trilogy.

[Mrs Erica A Allen]

It took me a while to get into this book - it seemed rather slow initially. I did find the love affair which sprang up between Emma and Marlow a bit hard to believe - to fall in love forever at fifteen years old on the basis of only an initial meeting seemed unlikely!

I have read Josephine Cox before, and enjoyed her books, but I have to say that, had I not bought all three books in this series at the same time, I probably wouldn’t have moved on to read more after the first book.

[Paul]

Too predicatable, too cliched and not descriptive enough of the times. I was also dissapointed that Australia was saved for the second volume, because I'm not going to read that

[Claire Tanner]

Reading this book made me very frustrated. The historical side was often incorrect and annoying. The storyline was frustrating and often didn't seem to be what the characters would do with their character development. And the ending was very flat compared to the rest of the story.
The most frustrating part was the stating the obvious with characters feelings.

[Gloria Mitchell]

Did not enjoy this book Really struggled with it but did finish reading it right through

[Nine Miles]

As someone who enjoys historical fiction, I was disappointed to find that this trilogy is less historical fiction than an exercise in tropification. I persevered through all three books, hoping the story or historical authenticity would improve, but unfortunately it never did.

The plot was highly predictable, relying on clichés and an overly sentimental style that I found more schmaltzy than engaging. Most disappointing was the treatment of the Australian convict era. The research appeared superficial, with numerous historical inaccuracies that distracted from the story. The convict voyage to Australia—surely one of the defining experiences of transportation—was largely glossed over and described in a way that felt as though it had been lifted from a general Australian history summary rather than grounded in contemporary accounts or careful research.

Readers looking for fiction that provides a well-researched insight to Australian convict experience may find this trilogy lacking in historical depth and authenticity. Those seeking a straightforward romantic drama set against a loosely historical backdrop may enjoy it more than I did.

[What to read next .......]

Another wonderful heartbreaking read from the legendary author Josephine Cox.

Thadius Grady realises it's too late that he has made the biggest mistake, that he has put himself and his daughter Emma at the mercy of his sister and her cheating husband Caleb.

Thadius has entrusted to them his entire fortune and the daughter that he loves, with his dying breathe he pleads to see his daughter one last time, but Caleb's does not grand his wish his heart is made of stone .

Worried Caleb is a womaniser and a gambler , and now the inheritance due to Emma is as much in his hands as the beautiful Emma Grady herself , and with many secrets from the past , being kept safely for now .

Emma Falls helplessly in love with Marlow Tanner a young Bargee , it is an Impossible love , and a love made in heaven but which carried them both to hell.

This book is so emotional heartbreaking, and at times hard to read .
By the end of the book , the story finishes abruptly, now it's definitely time to find book 2 and 3 to the series .

[Siobhan Considine]

Outcast - Josephine Cox (Book 1)
A truly sad story of how one person's bad can reach deep into others' lives. This book is a reminder that a series of unfortunate events can happen to anyone and not all those that are tarred with a 'bad' brush should be.

After the 3rd book:
• There was something my eyes were opened to in this series. That in life, most of the time a person will never have, or know, a full story. The beauty of reading books is that we get little bits of information from different people and times, which together give us a full picture of events and timelines. That rarely happens in life.

[EILEEN SHEPPARD]

Heartbreaking

This book really touched me. The story of Emma Grady, her ill father and the terrible relatives who took them in then took advantage of their finances. Emma met and fell in love with a barnamed Marlow, it was first love and they both felt the same, but some things are not meant to be. This is their story, it will pull you in and take you on their journey both good and bad. I would highly recommend this book.

[Niamh]

Awful. Cartoonish, cardboard characters. Not sure how anyone could enjoy this - it's far too unrealistic to believe any of it enough to invest in it emotionally, or in any way. No one goes on like that. It's like a parody of a drama rather than an actual drama. I will avoid this author at all costs in the future.

[Mrs SJ Shirra]

I enjoyed this book very much. It is a very sad tale and this poor girl really has a struggle in her young life. It got to the point where I was on the edge of my seat and such a sad ending.
Is there a follow up book out now?

[c m bolton]

Family

From the beginning of the story we have read about family. The different ways a family can treat you. I have enjoyed every page and grown to love Emma. Looking forward to the next book.

[Margie Thomas]

Thought it might have a bit more substance to it but no, so didn’t finish it. Couldn’t stand the way every character except Emma was constantly referred to with both first name and surname. Eg Caleb Crowther. It got a bit much.

[S]

Quite boring, when there was action it was unrealistic and exaggerated. Felt like it was written for children - yet the situations meant it really wasn’t. This girl was made out to be an absolute saint but got all this awful mistreatment? Doesn’t ring true at all.

[Patricia Pinches]

slow on the uptake

slow to start, but did get quite interesting, though very annoying at how Emma was treated and the end of life for her father was horrific, made me so angry, but guess that’s a good author for you, need to get the next book now.

[Lisa Ward]

At first I felt out of my comfort zone with it being set in 1860’s but it’s such a very well written story
Fantastic

[Suzi]

First of the trilogy

This first book in the take of Emma. It tells the tale of love, betrayal & friendship. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Bronwyn Rykiert]

The story was okay and I did enjoy it, but I did not really like the ending. I feel the story was unfinished.

[MRS V J JERMINE]

Excellent

A first class read heartwarming yet emotional both in a good way but also in a sense of fear and hate

[jeanette horner]

Great Read

Engrossing from first page to last,cannot wait to read the next book and last, going threw all her books daily

[Sue]

Overall enjoyable,if a little slow to begin. Also a few coincides where a little beyond believable. But a good enough read.

[Lisa Mcmaugh]

This was my first audio book. I found it very slow.

[Cheryll]

Bit of a boring start but it improved at the end!

[Brenda Hendy]

Great read

Loved this book keeps you interested from start to finish. Brilliant writing cannot wait to start the next one well done

[Tracey]

I enjoyed the book but quite frustrated to learn the ending, you have to read 2 more books to get to the end.

[♡ amina ♡]

I listened to the audiobook. It was an alright read but it definitely could have been shorter . I didn’t understand the point in that ending either

[theearthpeoples]

Gave it a try. Characters and events are too predictable for my taste. Had to drop it.

[ROCKY]

What a fantastic story!!-

[Hamed Asif]

4.25 stars