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Evelyn Gifford #2
The Woman in the Picture
February, 1926. These are the days leading up to The General Strike, and London is restless. Evelyn Gifford, narrator of THE CRIMSON ROOMS, has qualified as a solicitor - and is one of the first women to do so - but her life remains full of conflict. Embroiled in two new cases, the matter of a burnt letter provides an unexpected challenge, as does her pursuit by a client whose husband claims not to be the father of their child. And Evelyn's private life is not without complication. Her beloved grandmother dies, leaving behind tantalising clues to an affair which throws doubt upon the family history. Meanwhile, Meredith - jealous of Evelyn's independence and embittered by society's treatment of her illegitimate son - retreats to the south of France. When Evelyn receives a shock marriage proposal, she accepts, compelled by vulnerability and grief, although her thoughts still linger on her passionate, fleeting affair with Nicholas Thorne. Lonely and bereft, Evelyn throws herself into her caseload, becoming deeply involved in the struggles of others. But when she finds herself on the opposite side of the courtroom to Thorne, her professional and private lives collide, and she uncovers the surprising truth at the heart of both of her cases.
ISBN
9780297866039
..
ISBN
9780297866039
..
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2014
5 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Katharine McMahon
23 books210 followersKatharine McMahon is the author of 10 novels, including the bestselling The Rose of Sebastopol, which was a Richard and Judy pick for 2007. The Crimson Rooms and The Alchemist's Daughter.
Her latest book, The Hour of Separation, is our in paperback on 22nd August.
Her fiction is based on the lives of extraordinary women. She loves to explore how women in the past - but with a contemporary slant. The Hour of Separation tells the story of a complex friendship played out against a backdrop of resistance and betrayal in two world wars.
Her latest book, The Hour of Separation, is our in paperback on 22nd August.
Her fiction is based on the lives of extraordinary women. She loves to explore how women in the past - but with a contemporary slant. The Hour of Separation tells the story of a complex friendship played out against a backdrop of resistance and betrayal in two world wars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 24, 2021
The book is set in 1926 and tells the story of a lady solicitor - one of the first in the country.
I have read Katharine McMahon before and this one was almost as good as some of the others.
I have read Katharine McMahon before and this one was almost as good as some of the others.
July 20, 2014
Set in London in 1926, this novel features Evelyn Gifford, who we first met in an earlier novel by Katharine McMahon, The Crimson Rooms. Now one of the first female qualified solicitors, Evelyn’s brother was killed in WWI and she is living with her young nephew and his mother Meredith. Two cases dominate the storyline; one regarding disputed paternity and another regarding union strikes. In her personal life, too, Evelyn faces challenges, decisions and conflicts, with the chance of happiness with a man who admires and loves her, and yet the lure of a past lover returned.
The Woman in the Picture is another beautifully written historical novel by Katharine McMahon, with super characterisation; it’s wonderful to revisit Evelyn and discover her current endeavours – though this novel can certainly be read without having read The Crimson Rooms. The narrative offers a compelling portrait of a time when a female lawyer was unusual and the preconceptions and judgements Evelyn therefore faces from others in the profession and from the general population.
The story moves along at a good pace, both the legal matters and the romantic aspects are intriguing and held my interest. The author has a skillful and elegant way with language and incorporates convincing authentic period detail. I think anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction with an engaging, intelligent plot and an element of romance, and in particular if you like to read about a strong, independent female central character, will find a lot to love in this novel.
The Woman in the Picture is another beautifully written historical novel by Katharine McMahon, with super characterisation; it’s wonderful to revisit Evelyn and discover her current endeavours – though this novel can certainly be read without having read The Crimson Rooms. The narrative offers a compelling portrait of a time when a female lawyer was unusual and the preconceptions and judgements Evelyn therefore faces from others in the profession and from the general population.
The story moves along at a good pace, both the legal matters and the romantic aspects are intriguing and held my interest. The author has a skillful and elegant way with language and incorporates convincing authentic period detail. I think anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction with an engaging, intelligent plot and an element of romance, and in particular if you like to read about a strong, independent female central character, will find a lot to love in this novel.
February 25, 2015
Three and a half stars.
This book suffered, I fear, from my having read three brilliant books before it. As a result, though I found it readable, I did not find it to be one of those novels that kept calling me back. Initially it was more a case of reading it because it was there. The story is set in 1920s in London. The main character Evelyn is a female lawyer, in a time when there were very few females in this profession. Her career might be going well but other relationships are not. Evelyn was interesting as a character and yet it took me a long while to warm to her. However I did eventually.
The story also concerns the General Strike of 1926, (something I knew little about) and its effects on people in society and their reactions to it. One of Evelyn’s cases involves domestic violence. She is also ultimately defending a murder suspect. By this point I was thoroughly engaged in the novel. As well as wanting to keep reading, I kept giving my husband updates about the court case and my feelings about the case. I also liked the way some of Clara, Evelyn’s grandmother and her story has strong ties to Evelyn’s own story, enough to make her think about her choices.
This is the first novel I have read by this author and I would be interested to read more. Although initially I thought it might only be 3 stars the last third was so good, I took it up to 3and a half stars.
This book suffered, I fear, from my having read three brilliant books before it. As a result, though I found it readable, I did not find it to be one of those novels that kept calling me back. Initially it was more a case of reading it because it was there. The story is set in 1920s in London. The main character Evelyn is a female lawyer, in a time when there were very few females in this profession. Her career might be going well but other relationships are not. Evelyn was interesting as a character and yet it took me a long while to warm to her. However I did eventually.
The story also concerns the General Strike of 1926, (something I knew little about) and its effects on people in society and their reactions to it. One of Evelyn’s cases involves domestic violence. She is also ultimately defending a murder suspect. By this point I was thoroughly engaged in the novel. As well as wanting to keep reading, I kept giving my husband updates about the court case and my feelings about the case. I also liked the way some of Clara, Evelyn’s grandmother and her story has strong ties to Evelyn’s own story, enough to make her think about her choices.
This is the first novel I have read by this author and I would be interested to read more. Although initially I thought it might only be 3 stars the last third was so good, I took it up to 3and a half stars.
October 31, 2014
The 'between the wars' period in Britain, specifically, the General Strike of 1926 is well-imagined by McMahon. Her lead character, Evelyn Gifford, is intellectually smart but, perhaps, a little lacking in 'smarts'? What comes as a revelation to Evelyn near the end of the novel regarding the real perpetrator of a crime has been obvious to the reader for quite some time! Thoroughly enjoyed the novel's historical veracity, its feminist protagonist and the use of crime to examine the class divide of the period.
May 19, 2016
Gritty well-rounded characters and a strong narrative make this one of the best books I've read lately. There were times I didn't like the characters but that is no bad thing - made them all the more real. Evelyn struggles to establish herself in a male-dominated law profession of the 1920s but still has emotional space and empathy for others. Her two cases are very different and the court scenes are real page turners. It's the kind of book that would reward re-reading.
June 16, 2021
This novel is a sequel to Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon. It is set in London in 1926 and the main character is Evelyn Gifford, who was also the main character in Crimson Rooms. Evelyn is one of the few female lawyers in London but in this novel she has advanced in her career where she has begun to earn respect and have a portfolio of clients. She has also moved out of the house where she had lived with her mother, grandmother, and aunt and is living with the mother of her brother's son. This novel revolves around 2 cases Evelyn is involved with---one involving a paternity suit and the other involving a woman who has reportedly killed her husband when he was beating her. The woman had endured physical abuse for many years.
Evelyn also has 2 men, both attorneys, in love with her in this novel. However, I would not classify it as a romance novel.
Another important part of the novel is its portrayal of a strike that takes place in England primarily involving miners but eventually including workers in other occupations as well.
I enjoyed this novel more than Crimson Rooms because there is so much more positive in it than in the previous novel. Evelyn is no longer under her mother's thumb, she comes across as a much stronger person now, and there is the added plus of a happy ending this time.
Evelyn also has 2 men, both attorneys, in love with her in this novel. However, I would not classify it as a romance novel.
Another important part of the novel is its portrayal of a strike that takes place in England primarily involving miners but eventually including workers in other occupations as well.
I enjoyed this novel more than Crimson Rooms because there is so much more positive in it than in the previous novel. Evelyn is no longer under her mother's thumb, she comes across as a much stronger person now, and there is the added plus of a happy ending this time.
July 30, 2015
This really was a most enjoyable read - a fascinating story told by its heroine, Evelyn Gifford, one of Britain's first female lawyers as she fights to make her way in a male world. We watch as Evelyn handles two large and wholly fascinating court cases, each with its own focus and perspective on the position and status of women in 1920s Britain. But we also see Evelyn's off duty life - her difficult and complicated family relationships, the pressure to marry and live a more conventional life, her pain from an earlier tempestuous relationship, her efforts to move on. And in the background - and sometimes in the foreground - we have the General Strike, the rallies, speeches and political negotiations, and its impact on London and its people.
The writing is quite excellent - Evelyn is a very likeable character and narrator, and the whole approach to telling the story works well. This was a book I looked forward to picking up - while Evelyn was fascinating in herself, the backdrop was equally so. This is a period, between the wars, that I'm not at all familiar with, but the author brings it to life perfectly through the small detail, and through all levels of society. The love story was convincingly real too - with a real tension between duty and convention and love and passion that had me desperately hoping that, just this once, Evelyn would follow her heart rather than her head.
I do rather wish I'd read The Crimson Rooms too - I'd like to have lived through Evelyn's earlier relationship with Nicholas Thorne and understood its background, as well as knowing the full story around Meredith and young Edmund. But the book does work quite perfectly as a stand alone - an excellent story, a real sense of place and history, and a charismatic heroine. I do hope Katharine McMahon returns to Evelyn's story - I'd love to see a sequel, even a series. And, I have to say, those who commission TV drama series really should be looking at this one - it would be quite perfect for Sunday nights.
The writing is quite excellent - Evelyn is a very likeable character and narrator, and the whole approach to telling the story works well. This was a book I looked forward to picking up - while Evelyn was fascinating in herself, the backdrop was equally so. This is a period, between the wars, that I'm not at all familiar with, but the author brings it to life perfectly through the small detail, and through all levels of society. The love story was convincingly real too - with a real tension between duty and convention and love and passion that had me desperately hoping that, just this once, Evelyn would follow her heart rather than her head.
I do rather wish I'd read The Crimson Rooms too - I'd like to have lived through Evelyn's earlier relationship with Nicholas Thorne and understood its background, as well as knowing the full story around Meredith and young Edmund. But the book does work quite perfectly as a stand alone - an excellent story, a real sense of place and history, and a charismatic heroine. I do hope Katharine McMahon returns to Evelyn's story - I'd love to see a sequel, even a series. And, I have to say, those who commission TV drama series really should be looking at this one - it would be quite perfect for Sunday nights.
June 29, 2014
The Woman in the Picture by Katharine McMahon is set in London in the 1920s in which Evelyn Gifford has qualified to practice as a lawyer, becoming one of the few women to dare to venture into the male-dominated profession. Professionally, she is in control but when it comes to her personal life, it is in total disarray. Her passionate but brief affair with Nicholas Thorne ended, and she left home to live with Meredith, the mother of her nephew. When her grandmother died, her Aunt Prudence set off on a tour of India, and Meredith also took off for France.
Evelyn cuts a lonely figure and all she could now do is to immerse herself in her work. She took up two very different but interesting cases, and one of them concerns a wealthy factory owner who claims that he is not the father of his wife’s child, and the other case involved a young maid who has been accused of a stealing a letter.
When Evelyn gets an unexpected proposal from someone, she is quick to accept it. But when she comes face to face with Thorne in the courtroom, her already difficult life becomes more complicated. She has to make life-changing decisions to either stick to the decision she has already taken or begin a new innings with Thorne. The Woman in the Picture by Katharine McMahon is beautifully written, and strewn all-over with plenty of drama and suspense. The romance is delightful and the plot is simply gripping.
Evelyn cuts a lonely figure and all she could now do is to immerse herself in her work. She took up two very different but interesting cases, and one of them concerns a wealthy factory owner who claims that he is not the father of his wife’s child, and the other case involved a young maid who has been accused of a stealing a letter.
When Evelyn gets an unexpected proposal from someone, she is quick to accept it. But when she comes face to face with Thorne in the courtroom, her already difficult life becomes more complicated. She has to make life-changing decisions to either stick to the decision she has already taken or begin a new innings with Thorne. The Woman in the Picture by Katharine McMahon is beautifully written, and strewn all-over with plenty of drama and suspense. The romance is delightful and the plot is simply gripping.
April 6, 2016
'The Woman in the Picture' is Katherine McMahon's sequel to 'The Crimson Rooms' (a book which should ideally be read first as she continues the characters' stories). Set in 1926 in England, the book continues with Evelyn's controversial job as a lawyer, and we follow a number of her cases that illustrate the times: the General Strike and the battle between the unions and workers, and the rich mine owners; domestic abuse; and a messy paternity case - all incidents that are vividly and often painfully described. The story moved along, though there is a lot of description of the Strike's rallies and riots, and of the violence and tension in the home of the abused wife. The court proceedings are also quite detailed and I felt as if I were there in court. I liked the way all the characters evolved and grew as the story unfolded. And of course, I'm a sucker for a romance, especially when our hero is tall dark and handsome, and his rival is caring, compassionate and loving. What a choice. McMahon has written a compelling story that pulls you into the era and provides a window on the lives and struggles of people between the wars.
October 2, 2015
Definitely the best book I've read this year. I studied the General Strike for O level History but got more information from this book than I did from my textbooks. The comment on the front that its for 'Fans of Downton Abbey' is accurate up to a point - this book shows the same period but in a totally different light. I loved the idea of female lawyer in this period and feel Julian Fellowes really missed a trick with that one!
November 27, 2014
Brilliant! KMcM's writing just keeps getting better and better. I have read both of her Evelyn Gifford novels now and each is a prefect period piece with just enough modern to make it work. Sheer genius! Can't wait for number 3!
Toast
Toast
December 11, 2014
Unconventional woman lawyer in London, 1926, living with artist widowed sister-in-law. Takes on two difficult family cases, and has to choose in her personal life between a trusted colleague, and a gifted adversary. Good for the social disparities leading upto the general strike & depression.
October 9, 2018
I was a little disappointed in this, the follow-up to "The Crimson Rooms." Compared to the previous book, in which I thought McMahon did a great job of balancing the mysteries (and their legal consequences), the romance and the historical context, in this one I thought she was trying too hard -- throwing everything at the reader just to be sure there was enough to hold her attention. Consequently, I felt that the book was about 50 pages too long, and some parts began to feel very skim-able (particularly long letters from family members who have been dispatched abroad, for a bit of colorful family drama; blow by blow accounts of several court cases; long, repetitious accounts of a scandal in the youth of Evelyn's actress grandmother; and yet more about how far Evelyn had to walk or cycle during the General Strike) .
Nevertheless, I kept reading -- and I would probably indulge in another volume of pioneering female solicitor Evelyn Gifford's adventures. However, as I am firmly on Team Daniel, I would quite like it if
Nevertheless, I kept reading -- and I would probably indulge in another volume of pioneering female solicitor Evelyn Gifford's adventures. However, as I am firmly on Team Daniel, I would quite like it if
June 16, 2017
The sequel to The Crimson Rooms. Again, the book has something to say about women's comparative value in the 1920s. Although the main character is a woman and a lawyer, she always has to fight to be respected. She is defending a woman whose husband appears to be looking for a way to dispose of her. At the same time Evelyn is considering marriage and what she is willing to either settle for or to risk.
October 11, 2017
I'm sooo sorry, Katherine McMahon, I made the mistake of reading this book after two Stephen King books and the entire Harry Potter series and I got a little bored with it. I'm not comparing the books at all, I just wanted more from it.
I loved The Rose of Sebastopol and The Alchemist's Daughter and I wanted to be captivated by this story like I was in those two books. Sadly, I was disappointed and didn't finish the book. Back to Stephen King, me thinks.
I loved The Rose of Sebastopol and The Alchemist's Daughter and I wanted to be captivated by this story like I was in those two books. Sadly, I was disappointed and didn't finish the book. Back to Stephen King, me thinks.
August 15, 2018
I enjoyed this, but not as much as the first one, I think I began to feel a little bit annoyed with Evelyn for faffing about. But don't get me wrong, this was a great read and it really gets your blood up, the way domestic abuse cases were treated. And I've said it before but I'll say it again, if you've never read any Katherine McMahon you are in for a treat - but do try The Rose of Sebastepol or Season of Light for your first.
January 27, 2020
Evie a female lawyer in 1926, working in London and fighting for justice. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested and I wanted to know what happened to all the characters. The descriptions were enough to allow me to form my own pictures in my head of people, places and events. Evie was a strong character but still had a vulnerable side to her. I found her relationship with her Mother intriguing and I liked the way it developed. I would read another novel by Katherine McMahon.
April 29, 2018
This isn’t the best Katherine McMahon book I’ve read, but the way the different threads of the story are slowly built and drawn together did keep me reading until the very last page. The balance between historical and social context and the personal and work life of the main character was very well done.
January 27, 2018
Fantastic follow up to Crimson Rooms. Romance, history and politics all in one.
February 28, 2018
I heard this on a book on cd. A brilliant story. You can tell it's very well written
August 2, 2018
DNF review to come
May 23, 2021
Just not my cup of tea. Read over hundred pages and still wasn't feeling the story had started. I haven't stopped reading a book for years but this one I did.
May 10, 2022
sequel book to Crimson Room
Easily readable book, very predictable outcomes. Enjoyable and I did not want to put it down. Definitely recommend for a relaxing read.
Easily readable book, very predictable outcomes. Enjoyable and I did not want to put it down. Definitely recommend for a relaxing read.
October 19, 2014
In this sequel to "The Crimson Rooms", we encounter again Evelyn, the determined young woman who flouted convention after the First World War to train as a solicitor in London. Set against the background of the 1926 General Strike, a damp squib of an event which may account for its somewhat wooden treatment here, the book's compelling quality comes from the author's ability to create a sense of period and place and develop the main characters as Evelyn is caught up in a couple of cases which illustrate the abuse of two women at very different levels in society. In particular, we understand Evelyn's changing moods, the poignancy of the continual reminders of the brother killed in the war, to whom she was deeply attached, and her dilemma as to whether, learning from her grandmother's experience, she should be ruled by her passionate heart or her pragmatic head, by physical attraction or a sense of trust and respect when it comes to choosing a partner. It seems too much of a coincidence that Evelyn's former lover Nicholas appears on the scene only to become involved in the two main cases on which Evelyn is working, but this is of course necessary for the plot.
This story treads a fine line between romantic and literary fiction, which may leave dissatisfied both categories of mostly likely female reader. It is well-written with a sound structure, but I have a few reservations. Although the exchanges in court are gripping, I was surprised by the conversational way prosecution and defence are allowed to interrupt each other. Even more so, whether in a paternity case held in camera or during interviews with Evelyn, the main parties seem remarkably willing to speak frankly about intimate matters without the kind of embarrassed prevarication one would expect. Regardless of social position, gender or personality, the characters tend to speak with the same voice. The way so many strangers seem to know about Evelyn's aborted love affair with Nicholas and feel free to comment on it also seems unlikely. Evelyn's nervous and demanding mother undergoes a rather rapid personality change.
I may have missed something but realise that I do not understand the choice of title. The current front cover of a 1920s vamp with come-hither blue eyes, whose cigarette should surely be in a holder, also gives a false and trivialising impression of the book.
Despite these points, I recommend this as a "good read" with an ending sufficiently open to pave the way for yet another novel on Evelyn, part blue-stocking, part unconscious femme fatale.
This story treads a fine line between romantic and literary fiction, which may leave dissatisfied both categories of mostly likely female reader. It is well-written with a sound structure, but I have a few reservations. Although the exchanges in court are gripping, I was surprised by the conversational way prosecution and defence are allowed to interrupt each other. Even more so, whether in a paternity case held in camera or during interviews with Evelyn, the main parties seem remarkably willing to speak frankly about intimate matters without the kind of embarrassed prevarication one would expect. Regardless of social position, gender or personality, the characters tend to speak with the same voice. The way so many strangers seem to know about Evelyn's aborted love affair with Nicholas and feel free to comment on it also seems unlikely. Evelyn's nervous and demanding mother undergoes a rather rapid personality change.
I may have missed something but realise that I do not understand the choice of title. The current front cover of a 1920s vamp with come-hither blue eyes, whose cigarette should surely be in a holder, also gives a false and trivialising impression of the book.
Despite these points, I recommend this as a "good read" with an ending sufficiently open to pave the way for yet another novel on Evelyn, part blue-stocking, part unconscious femme fatale.
August 15, 2014
a tragic disappointment. Really couldn't sympathise with any of the cases (apart from the last case). The "poor" little rich girls and their friends were tedious.
It just deviated and was all about the meaning of love. Compared to the intrigue and tragedy of the first novel - this just didn't have any of it. More of a chick lit. The bad guys are all blond (typical chick lit cliché) and the "good guys" are handsome dark haired types. It was so pathetic.
The Crimson Room was brilliant - no one was a "baddie" or "goodie" - it was tragic but satisfying.
The Crimson Room was a story that engaged us readers on Evelyn's crusade to enact justice. A pioneer that demonstrated women were capable. It also had all the nuances and subtle inflections that reminded us that nothing is black and white. That the most "evil baddie" could be a tragic father protecting a vulnerable child. A matron whose beliefs and values are shaped by an inequitable society is only pursuing what an unjust structure has created. All the cases were poignant, fraught with emotion and serious but also perilous in disturbing the lines between right and good.
This book has none of these elements. I felt impatient with the cases. And all were sadly predictable. The characters were caricatures.
The Woman in the Picture spent far too much time in indulging in philosophising various illicit relationships, the melodramatic results of those who reject a lover for whatever reason, the pros and cons of following one's heart. It focused far too much on whether Evelyn ought to give her "love interest" a chance using external events and characters. It saved itself from being a complete romance by not featuring many scenes involving Evelyn's "love" interest - but that only made it pointless as we couldn't see how their interactions would be on a prolonged basis after a separation of 2 years. I also think the author ought to have cooled it down a bit with less melodrama and fewer declarations.
Also - as for the Jewish bit - not sure why she made certain characters anti-Semitic in the Conservative Party considering Churchill was a Zionist who openly lobbied for removing Palestinian villages in favour of European Jewish settlers. So not sure how that would historically compute.
It just deviated and was all about the meaning of love. Compared to the intrigue and tragedy of the first novel - this just didn't have any of it. More of a chick lit. The bad guys are all blond (typical chick lit cliché) and the "good guys" are handsome dark haired types. It was so pathetic.
The Crimson Room was brilliant - no one was a "baddie" or "goodie" - it was tragic but satisfying.
The Crimson Room was a story that engaged us readers on Evelyn's crusade to enact justice. A pioneer that demonstrated women were capable. It also had all the nuances and subtle inflections that reminded us that nothing is black and white. That the most "evil baddie" could be a tragic father protecting a vulnerable child. A matron whose beliefs and values are shaped by an inequitable society is only pursuing what an unjust structure has created. All the cases were poignant, fraught with emotion and serious but also perilous in disturbing the lines between right and good.
This book has none of these elements. I felt impatient with the cases. And all were sadly predictable. The characters were caricatures.
The Woman in the Picture spent far too much time in indulging in philosophising various illicit relationships, the melodramatic results of those who reject a lover for whatever reason, the pros and cons of following one's heart. It focused far too much on whether Evelyn ought to give her "love interest" a chance using external events and characters. It saved itself from being a complete romance by not featuring many scenes involving Evelyn's "love" interest - but that only made it pointless as we couldn't see how their interactions would be on a prolonged basis after a separation of 2 years. I also think the author ought to have cooled it down a bit with less melodrama and fewer declarations.
Also - as for the Jewish bit - not sure why she made certain characters anti-Semitic in the Conservative Party considering Churchill was a Zionist who openly lobbied for removing Palestinian villages in favour of European Jewish settlers. So not sure how that would historically compute.
February 2, 2015
I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.
Sometimes I receive a book and hesitate about it. This was one of those books. The cover and the blurb both did not seem that interesting to me. I rarely go into the past with what I read and a book based on a female lawyer in 1926 London is not going to be a first choice. So, this book slipped down my 'to read' piles for a few months.
As it turned out I really enjoyed the writing and the story. Easy to pick up despite this being my first glimpse of the authors writing, well written, great descriptions of an era I know next to nothing about and the lead character is someone you can care about. There are some interesting antagonists and some of the minor characters shine through too. The General Strike of 1926 is covered too and explained as well as I read about it at school (which is a compliment to the author and also an indictment of my schooling).
It gives an indication of a woman's world in the 1920s as well as how political the justice system was then. I think maybe the current system could take lessons from a story set 89 years ago. Certain plot points and themes in the book incited some strong emotions in me which is always a good thing for an author to be able to do.
I would recommend this book to readers who have the time to read and enjoy it. It is 398 pages that need your full attention for the most part. I am glad I have read it and will seek out more from the same author in the future.
Sometimes I receive a book and hesitate about it. This was one of those books. The cover and the blurb both did not seem that interesting to me. I rarely go into the past with what I read and a book based on a female lawyer in 1926 London is not going to be a first choice. So, this book slipped down my 'to read' piles for a few months.
As it turned out I really enjoyed the writing and the story. Easy to pick up despite this being my first glimpse of the authors writing, well written, great descriptions of an era I know next to nothing about and the lead character is someone you can care about. There are some interesting antagonists and some of the minor characters shine through too. The General Strike of 1926 is covered too and explained as well as I read about it at school (which is a compliment to the author and also an indictment of my schooling).
It gives an indication of a woman's world in the 1920s as well as how political the justice system was then. I think maybe the current system could take lessons from a story set 89 years ago. Certain plot points and themes in the book incited some strong emotions in me which is always a good thing for an author to be able to do.
I would recommend this book to readers who have the time to read and enjoy it. It is 398 pages that need your full attention for the most part. I am glad I have read it and will seek out more from the same author in the future.
August 13, 2016
This book isn't as good as "The Crimson Rooms" - however I really enjoyed it. The characters are likeable and you are drawn into their world from the start and it was great that the novel ends in a positive way. Evelyn Gifford is a likeable and interesting heroine and it was really good to immerse yourself in the continuation of her story. As part of the first generation of women after the attainment of the vote, Evelyn is a liberated and highly sympathetic heroine and the other characters such as Meredith and Edmund are also finely drawn. This novel focuses on The General Strike and it's aftermath and national events are paralleled against personal developments and crisises for Evelyn. Meredith and Edmund re-locate to the South of France and even Aunt Prudence goes travelling to India and they too represent women emancipated from the past. Evelyn also goes on a journey, metaphorically to start as she makes revelations about her past and her hopes for the future. It is poignant, memorable and very touching, the ending in particular. However, even though I loved it, I do have some criticisms, namely the fact that the novel was so slow!! This is mainly due to the great detail the writer goes into, some of the details are painstaking and make the action go at a very ponderous pace. It is great, but not a page turner - if the tempo had been a bit quicker, it would have got five stars, but this slowness did irritate and I have decided on four stars.
September 2, 2014
The first book in this series, The Crimson Rooms, was the first book I read this year. I also really enjoyed it and so was thrilled to learn that McMahon had written another about Evelyn Gifford, a fictional female lawyer in 1920s London.
I think this book is stronger than the first, although I find it hard to pinpoint why. Perhaps it benefits from the fact that we already know all the main characters and therefore don't have to spend time learning them. I'm not sure how this book would necessarily translate for someone who hadn't read the first, but I think the added context helped enormously here.
The focus in this novel is broad, but less focused on Evelyn being a 'fish out of water' in the legal profession. This was covered at length in the first novel so the distancing in this case was beneficial. Here it is more about the individual cases that she gets involved in: a paternity suit, a murder trial, all over the backdrop of the General Strike, and the return into Evelyn's life of the charming but mistrusted Nicholas Thorne.
This book basically covers so many of my favourite things: ladies being independent and awesome! unrequited love affairs! historical London in the 1920s! good writing and well paced narrative! solid subplots!
I definitely recommend this book, but would probably suggest you start with The Crimson Rooms first.
I think this book is stronger than the first, although I find it hard to pinpoint why. Perhaps it benefits from the fact that we already know all the main characters and therefore don't have to spend time learning them. I'm not sure how this book would necessarily translate for someone who hadn't read the first, but I think the added context helped enormously here.
The focus in this novel is broad, but less focused on Evelyn being a 'fish out of water' in the legal profession. This was covered at length in the first novel so the distancing in this case was beneficial. Here it is more about the individual cases that she gets involved in: a paternity suit, a murder trial, all over the backdrop of the General Strike, and the return into Evelyn's life of the charming but mistrusted Nicholas Thorne.
This book basically covers so many of my favourite things: ladies being independent and awesome! unrequited love affairs! historical London in the 1920s! good writing and well paced narrative! solid subplots!
I definitely recommend this book, but would probably suggest you start with The Crimson Rooms first.
September 15, 2015
I read this having read the Crimson Rooms with the same characters. The book restarts in 1926 with Evelyn Gifford one of the first female solicitors and the interesting cases she takes on. This is set against the historical General Strike. The strike was called in support of the coal miners who were ‘locked out’ as they refused to accept increased working hours for less wages.
I really loved the Crimson Rooms and felt this was not as good. While it was nice to see what happened to the characters, I felt the story was a bit slow in parts and I felt the character of Nicholas Thorne in particular had became all too wishy washy. It was an easy read but I could not say I would highly recommend it.
I really loved the Crimson Rooms and felt this was not as good. While it was nice to see what happened to the characters, I felt the story was a bit slow in parts and I felt the character of Nicholas Thorne in particular had became all too wishy washy. It was an easy read but I could not say I would highly recommend it.
August 7, 2014
What's not to like? There's a feisty female lawyer, Evelyn Gifford, working hard to forge a career in a male dominated profession in 1920s London, at a time when all young women were expected to wish for was a good husband. There's a handsome ex-lover, a shocking family secret, two courtroom dramas with wronged women from the opposite ends of the social class - and a general strike. There's plenty of historical content and because of the skilful writing and plotting, I was immediately immersed into Evelyn's life and the period. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will now download other books by Katharine McMahon!
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