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Beggars and Choosers #6
Tiger Ragtime
Book Six in the Brothers and Lovers series by best-selling author Catrin Collier.
Judy Hamilton was born in the Cardiff docklands. Homeless after the death of her grandmother, she finds friendship, work and lodgings with Edyth Slater, above her bakery in Cardiff's colourful Tiger Bay. While attempting to make her way in a vibrant and complex society, Judy dreams of one day becoming a successful singer and actress. Restless and anxious to make his fortune, David Ellis leaves his brothers and sisters behind him on their isolated Breconshire farm. He is ready to embark on a new, more exciting life and is willing to do whatever it takes to find success. The enterprising natives of Tiger Bay manage to make a living from those rich enough to remain unscathed by the depression of the 1930s. Flouting the law, they open illegal casinos and nightclubs to cater for those who can still afford a good time. None are more ruthless than Aled James. With Aled's help, Judy finally breaks into the glittering paste and cardboard world of the city's nightclubs and theatres, but Aled demands a high price for his assistance. David and Judy soon discover that even with a pocketful of money, the life they'd dreamed about may come at too high a price...
Judy Hamilton was born in the Cardiff docklands. Homeless after the death of her grandmother, she finds friendship, work and lodgings with Edyth Slater, above her bakery in Cardiff's colourful Tiger Bay. While attempting to make her way in a vibrant and complex society, Judy dreams of one day becoming a successful singer and actress. Restless and anxious to make his fortune, David Ellis leaves his brothers and sisters behind him on their isolated Breconshire farm. He is ready to embark on a new, more exciting life and is willing to do whatever it takes to find success. The enterprising natives of Tiger Bay manage to make a living from those rich enough to remain unscathed by the depression of the 1930s. Flouting the law, they open illegal casinos and nightclubs to cater for those who can still afford a good time. None are more ruthless than Aled James. With Aled's help, Judy finally breaks into the glittering paste and cardboard world of the city's nightclubs and theatres, but Aled demands a high price for his assistance. David and Judy soon discover that even with a pocketful of money, the life they'd dreamed about may come at too high a price...
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2013
18 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Catrin Collier
111 books82 followersCatrin Collier is Wales' most prolific and well-known author of historical, romantic fictions. The daughter of a Prussian refugee and Welsh father, she grew up in Pontypridd. Her first historical novel Hearts of Gold, was filmed as a mini-series by the BBC in 2003. Her crime book, By Any Name, written as Katherine John was filmed by Tanabi and released on Amazon Prime in 2017. She lives with her family on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea. More information on Catrin Collier, Katherine John and Caro French's books can be found on her website www.catrincollier.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 21, 2022
A move from the valleys to Tiger Bay loved it
November 2, 2011
Going through a bit of a Catrin Collier frenzy at the moment! I am loving her stuff.
Tiger Ragtime is set in Tiger Bay. Once again, I have gone and read the second book first. I should have read 'Tiger Bay Blues' first, whoops. Either way, I don't think it matters all too much as I find all her books are fantastic stand-alone reads, even though there tends to be an order her books are meant to go in.
Aled James returns to his hometown Tiger Bay after making his fortune in America. He is back to seek seek revenge for his mother's death, and lays most of the blame on his half-brother Harry Evans. Well equipped with all the right tools, Aled purchases the old Sea Breeze hotel and transforms it into a magnificent night club called Tiger Ragtime.
Edyth Slater, who is Harry's sister, 19 years old, owner of Goldman's Bakery, is awaiting her annulment papers for her failed marriage to Peter. She busies herself with the running of her business and finds love in Micah, the pastor of Tiger Bay who lives and works in the missionary.
Edyth's boarder, friend and employee Judy King is a coloured girl dreaming to make it big on the stage. When Aled sees her performing with the Bute Street Blues band on his first day back in Tiger Bay, he knows he must have her as the main attraction for his club. After offering her an astounding contract with his club, Judy is soon living her dreams, and finding love.
Harry's brother in-law David moved o Tiger Bay while the Tiger Ragtime was being built. He too is offered employment through Aled James, but not in a legal sense. He starts as a bookie runner, answering to Aled's 'assistant' (or hit man, if you wish) Aiden Collins. After everyone's warning, David is finally caught and arrested. He is lucky to get a lenient sentence, and then begins to work in the club legally.
There is quite a lead-up to the plot, you get there in the last 60 pages or so. Charlie Moore, who previously ran the illegal gambling and participated in other illegal activities in Tiger Bay, feels his turf has been cut. He hires hit men to take Aled James and his assistants out of the picture. When this all goes horrible wrong, Harry and David end up in hospital with life-threating injuries, Micah leaves the Bay without a word, and Edyth, Judy and Aled are left nursing broken hearts and dreams and trying to move forward.
Things come together in the end - I won't tell you how, don't want to spoil it. I'm sure there has to be another book after this one, I'll have to lok for it, as I am left hanging at the end with many question marks!
An eventful read. I love the way Catrin Collier writes not only about a few main characters, but basically the whole town. Looking forward to more
Tiger Ragtime is set in Tiger Bay. Once again, I have gone and read the second book first. I should have read 'Tiger Bay Blues' first, whoops. Either way, I don't think it matters all too much as I find all her books are fantastic stand-alone reads, even though there tends to be an order her books are meant to go in.
Aled James returns to his hometown Tiger Bay after making his fortune in America. He is back to seek seek revenge for his mother's death, and lays most of the blame on his half-brother Harry Evans. Well equipped with all the right tools, Aled purchases the old Sea Breeze hotel and transforms it into a magnificent night club called Tiger Ragtime.
Edyth Slater, who is Harry's sister, 19 years old, owner of Goldman's Bakery, is awaiting her annulment papers for her failed marriage to Peter. She busies herself with the running of her business and finds love in Micah, the pastor of Tiger Bay who lives and works in the missionary.
Edyth's boarder, friend and employee Judy King is a coloured girl dreaming to make it big on the stage. When Aled sees her performing with the Bute Street Blues band on his first day back in Tiger Bay, he knows he must have her as the main attraction for his club. After offering her an astounding contract with his club, Judy is soon living her dreams, and finding love.
Harry's brother in-law David moved o Tiger Bay while the Tiger Ragtime was being built. He too is offered employment through Aled James, but not in a legal sense. He starts as a bookie runner, answering to Aled's 'assistant' (or hit man, if you wish) Aiden Collins. After everyone's warning, David is finally caught and arrested. He is lucky to get a lenient sentence, and then begins to work in the club legally.
There is quite a lead-up to the plot, you get there in the last 60 pages or so. Charlie Moore, who previously ran the illegal gambling and participated in other illegal activities in Tiger Bay, feels his turf has been cut. He hires hit men to take Aled James and his assistants out of the picture. When this all goes horrible wrong, Harry and David end up in hospital with life-threating injuries, Micah leaves the Bay without a word, and Edyth, Judy and Aled are left nursing broken hearts and dreams and trying to move forward.
Things come together in the end - I won't tell you how, don't want to spoil it. I'm sure there has to be another book after this one, I'll have to lok for it, as I am left hanging at the end with many question marks!
An eventful read. I love the way Catrin Collier writes not only about a few main characters, but basically the whole town. Looking forward to more
December 1, 2008
This book carries on from Tiger Bay Blues, and the Finders and Keepers series before that. However, you could read this as a stand alone book.
Set in Tiger Bay, Wales, this follows several people during the late 1920's/early 1930's. Edyth is trying to keep her relationship and bakery going, while Judy wants to realise her dreams as a singer. And David just wants to be near Edyth. Enter Aled James, who promises to wreak revenge...
*Possible spoilers*
I enjoyed this as a light, simple read with likeable characters. I thought Aled's character had the potential to be a lot more menacing than he was. The ending seemed to be a big event, then everything quickly tied up. I don't know if the author plans a sequel, but she could go either way with this ending.
Set in Tiger Bay, Wales, this follows several people during the late 1920's/early 1930's. Edyth is trying to keep her relationship and bakery going, while Judy wants to realise her dreams as a singer. And David just wants to be near Edyth. Enter Aled James, who promises to wreak revenge...
*Possible spoilers*
I enjoyed this as a light, simple read with likeable characters. I thought Aled's character had the potential to be a lot more menacing than he was. The ending seemed to be a big event, then everything quickly tied up. I don't know if the author plans a sequel, but she could go either way with this ending.
March 28, 2015
I am sad this is the last book in the series. Oh well, I feel as if I have just finished a 20000 page book, and what a wonderful book it was, following the trials and tribulations of the Evans family in rural Wales, the stories spanning 30 years or so. I'm going to miss them!
August 4, 2019
Pity
Good book, I have enjoyed reading the entire series but it has very poor editing. I'm not sure if that's just the kindle version though.
Good book, I have enjoyed reading the entire series but it has very poor editing. I'm not sure if that's just the kindle version though.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews