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Tatty Crowe #1
Black Silk and Sympathy
A dazzling new series from bestselling historical fiction author Deborah Challinor, exploring the fascinating world of Victorian funeral customs and featuring Sydney's first female undertaker. Tatiana Caldwell's childhood in London is idyllic and filled with the love of doting parents. But when they die in quick succession, she's left heartbroken and destitute, and at seventeen emigrates to Sydney in 1864, determined to build a new, financially secure life for herself.After an apprenticeship as an undertaker's assistant with Crowe Funeral Services, Tatty marries owner Titus Crowe. Titus himself soon dies and Tatty inherits the business and becomes Sydney's only female undertaker.But then rival funeral director Elias Nuttall, intent on acquiring Crowe Funeral Services, publicly accuses Tatty of deliberately poisoning Titus. She must find a way to stop him before he ruins her, and embarks on exposing Nuttall's own gruesome secrets, a mission that takes her from the cemetery at midnight, to house-breaking, to Sydney's criminal court, to the lunatic asylum.Black Silk and Sympathy is a riveting and realistic story of Sydney in the 1860s, of death laid out in front rooms, of funeral processions and mortuary trains, and of survival, reinvention and determination.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2024
61 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Challinor
24 books247 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 72 reviews
June 15, 2024
Tatiana Caldwell was devastated when first her father died, then her mother. Alone - except for the family cook and her charge - and destitute, seventeen year old Tatty emigrated from London to Australia in 1864. Her main goal was to eventually own her own business, but she knew it would take time and determination. When Tatty was hired by Titus Crowe, owner of Crowe Funeral Services to be his apprentice, Tatty watched diligently as Titus worked, learning embalming and the other necessary parts of the funeral business. But Titus had no intention of letting Tatty perform the relatively new embalming - she was a woman, and it was men's work.
When she married Titus, the staff of both home and funeral services were shocked. But Tatty was still working toward her dream, and although she didn't love Titus, and knew he only wanted a male heir from her, she bided her time. Titus wasn't a nice man, but he'd taken her in when she needed work. When Titus died after a long illness, Tatty inherited Crowes Funeral Services, and gradually she made changes. There were other funeral businesses in Sydney, but Crowes was the only one owned and run by a woman. And Elias Nuttall wanted her business to add to his own. Trouble lay on the horizon and Elias was at the forefront. Would he let Tatty continue as the only female undertaker? Or would he do his best to get rid of her?
I was so excited to see a new book coming out by Aussie/NZ author Deborah Challinor, and Black Silk and Sympathy is up there with her very best! 1st in the Tatty Crowe series, Sydney in the 1860s is raw, filthy and filled with enthusiasm, and I was thrilled to catch up with Friday Woolfe, Sarah Green, Harrie Downey and Aria Te Kainga-Mataa from the Convict Girls series. Tatty is an independent, strong and determined character and I'm looking forward to #2 very much. Highly recommended.
When she married Titus, the staff of both home and funeral services were shocked. But Tatty was still working toward her dream, and although she didn't love Titus, and knew he only wanted a male heir from her, she bided her time. Titus wasn't a nice man, but he'd taken her in when she needed work. When Titus died after a long illness, Tatty inherited Crowes Funeral Services, and gradually she made changes. There were other funeral businesses in Sydney, but Crowes was the only one owned and run by a woman. And Elias Nuttall wanted her business to add to his own. Trouble lay on the horizon and Elias was at the forefront. Would he let Tatty continue as the only female undertaker? Or would he do his best to get rid of her?
I was so excited to see a new book coming out by Aussie/NZ author Deborah Challinor, and Black Silk and Sympathy is up there with her very best! 1st in the Tatty Crowe series, Sydney in the 1860s is raw, filthy and filled with enthusiasm, and I was thrilled to catch up with Friday Woolfe, Sarah Green, Harrie Downey and Aria Te Kainga-Mataa from the Convict Girls series. Tatty is an independent, strong and determined character and I'm looking forward to #2 very much. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2024
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 April 2024**
I quite enjoyed this novel which is going to be the start of a new series. A very interesting setting in the world of undertakers in the mid 1860s Sydney, the storyline is about young Tatty who has been accused of poisoning her husband Titus. The book explores the role of women in this time period and their rights in society as well as funeral customs of the time. The story is clearly very well-researched with it going into full details of undertaker's jobs, and while this can be morbid at times it is complemented by a cast of quirky characters. Tatty herself is a young woman trying to make the best of her life and is determined to put herself into a position of owning a business which is no mean feat itself at the time. I thought the story was quite fascinating and I am very intrigued to see what comes next for Tatty in future novels.
I quite enjoyed this novel which is going to be the start of a new series. A very interesting setting in the world of undertakers in the mid 1860s Sydney, the storyline is about young Tatty who has been accused of poisoning her husband Titus. The book explores the role of women in this time period and their rights in society as well as funeral customs of the time. The story is clearly very well-researched with it going into full details of undertaker's jobs, and while this can be morbid at times it is complemented by a cast of quirky characters. Tatty herself is a young woman trying to make the best of her life and is determined to put herself into a position of owning a business which is no mean feat itself at the time. I thought the story was quite fascinating and I am very intrigued to see what comes next for Tatty in future novels.
October 18, 2024
This is the first book in what is building to be another great series from Deborah Challinor whose previous series “The Convict Girls” had me completely hooked…and I was pleasantly surprised to find some of our favourite feisty characters from that series have met Tatty Caldwell (the protagonist in this book), in Sydney and found mutually beneficial reasons to make her acquaintance in this book!
So for lovers of “The Convict Girls” I feel sure you will enjoy this new series.
Sydney in the 1800’s is still a fairly smallish town with lots of scope for growth in all sorts of business endeavours (both shady and legitimate) and therefore attracts all kinds of characters from all walks of life.
Recently orphaned, and new to Sydney after travelling alone from England, a young teenaged Tatiana Caldwell is interested in building and running a legitimate business as an undertaker after the sudden and unexpected death of her not very popular employer Titus Crowe…Undertaker.
Tatty is confident she could become the first woman undertaker in Sydney and offer services far cheaper and more flexible than her boss was ever known for. She wants to offer affordable and available funerals for all, regardless of financial status or social standing…an idea her now deceased boss would never entertain.
When Tatty takes over the business and starts making radical changes she attracts some unwelcome opposition from rival undertakers.
This new female Undertaker and her enterprising ideas are causing unease among her rivals and before long trouble knocks at Tatty’s door threatening to ruin everything she has worked so hard for.
And so begins a lengthy and costly feud….and a riveting read!
Funerary protocol and all of its associated customs have always captured my interest …. especially in the 1800’s, and being set in Sydney where I could easily identify with the places referenced is a bonus!
My long held interest in genealogy and my own family history has seen me spend many pleasurable hours traipsing around the very cemeteries mentioned in the story. Also, as an unapologetic tombstone tourist, or more accurately..a Taphophile (yes there’s even a name for it!) my long held fascination for cemeteries in general and their history makes this book a must read.
So the book immediately caught my attention…aside from the fact that the author, Deborah Challinor is among my top favourite authors for historical fiction and therefore another drawcard.
I was absorbed in this fascinating story from the very beginning.
5⭐️s
So for lovers of “The Convict Girls” I feel sure you will enjoy this new series.
Sydney in the 1800’s is still a fairly smallish town with lots of scope for growth in all sorts of business endeavours (both shady and legitimate) and therefore attracts all kinds of characters from all walks of life.
Recently orphaned, and new to Sydney after travelling alone from England, a young teenaged Tatiana Caldwell is interested in building and running a legitimate business as an undertaker after the sudden and unexpected death of her not very popular employer Titus Crowe…Undertaker.
Tatty is confident she could become the first woman undertaker in Sydney and offer services far cheaper and more flexible than her boss was ever known for. She wants to offer affordable and available funerals for all, regardless of financial status or social standing…an idea her now deceased boss would never entertain.
When Tatty takes over the business and starts making radical changes she attracts some unwelcome opposition from rival undertakers.
This new female Undertaker and her enterprising ideas are causing unease among her rivals and before long trouble knocks at Tatty’s door threatening to ruin everything she has worked so hard for.
And so begins a lengthy and costly feud….and a riveting read!
Funerary protocol and all of its associated customs have always captured my interest …. especially in the 1800’s, and being set in Sydney where I could easily identify with the places referenced is a bonus!
My long held interest in genealogy and my own family history has seen me spend many pleasurable hours traipsing around the very cemeteries mentioned in the story. Also, as an unapologetic tombstone tourist, or more accurately..a Taphophile (yes there’s even a name for it!) my long held fascination for cemeteries in general and their history makes this book a must read.
So the book immediately caught my attention…aside from the fact that the author, Deborah Challinor is among my top favourite authors for historical fiction and therefore another drawcard.
I was absorbed in this fascinating story from the very beginning.
5⭐️s
June 7, 2024
Growing up and living in Victorian era London, Tatiana Caldwell is unexpectedly orphaned after losing both her parents in quick succession. It's 1864, and at the age of just seventeen and with very little to her name, Tatty (as she calls herself) emigrates to Australia for a fresh start. Driven to acquire and operate her own business one day, Tatty is hard working and far from squeamish when she begins working for Titus Crowe at Crowe Funeral Services.
I've always been deeply interested in Victorian funeral and mourning etiquette and I loved reading about any and all aspects of Crowe Funeral Services in Sydney.
"Henry and Robert prepared the hearse - a very beautiful vehicle with four glass sides embellished with gold accents and otherwise painted a gleaming black - and the two magnificent horses pulling it. Their names were Spirit and Phantom, which Tatty thought were splendid names for funeral horses, and they were cloaked in black velvet drapes and wore tall head-dresses of thick black ostrich plumes. They were Belgian Blacks and had, according to Henry, cost Titus an absolute fortune to import to New South Wales from England." Page 44
It's disturbing to imagine Belgian Black horses being transported and confined below decks for the gruelling passage to London but they must have been an incredible sight to see on the streets of Sydney at the time.
Titus Crowe is a terrific character who came across as very Dickensian to me and I can easily see him on screen in a TV adaptation. (Miss Scarlet & The Duke comes to mind here, love that show!)
Here's an excerpt about mourning jewellery from the novel:
'Here you have your rings,' Mr Coverdale said. 'For ladies and men, black enamel on eighteen-karat gold, inlaid with In Memoriam perhaps, or we can add the deceased's name and date of passing. Alternatively, those details can be engraved on the inside of the band. We also have black enamel and seed pearl rings - they're considered very fashionable at the moment.' Page 68
Tatty attends funerals in the newly created cemetery and it was exciting to be reminded of Sydney's history when it comes to cemeteries, mortuary trains and mortuary train stations. In 2020 I started listening to the Grave Tales Australia podcast, and it was so engaging I went on to read and review their book Grave Tales: Melbourne Vol.1 by Helen Goltz and Chris Adams.
Back to the book and my favourite section by far was Tatty's visit to the draper and haberdasher Mr Rodney Burton. Tatty discovers his store is three times bigger than the other stores, all the better to house his huge range of fabrics and notions including buttons, trims, nets, ribbons, beads, lace, artificial flowers and more. Tatty is thrilled to discover that at least a third of the well-stocked emporium is dedicated to selling materials associated with mourning the dead.
"As well as the ubiquitous black crape there was also bombazine, parramatta silk, merino, delaine and velvet, and for half-mourning a head-spinning range of fabrics with a little more lustre and life in black, grey, purple-mauve, lavender, violet and white. Burton's also sold a huge selection of handkerchiefs edged with black lace, black gloves, umbrellas and sunshades, black lace fans, black shoes and boots, and a good selection of shawls." Page 73
I'd love to browse that store, wouldn't you? In spite of the funereal backdrop of Crowe Funeral Services, the author has given us an engaging main character in Tatty to cheer for and a relatively light narrative that skips along at a leisurely pace in an early Sydney streetscape.
I haven't read any of Challinor's extensive backlist but I was pleasantly surprised - given the Sydney setting - to discover the author is a Kiwi residing in New Zealand. Better still, Black Silk and Sympathy is just the first in a series and I'm looking forward to some terrific funereal adventures with Tatty at the head of the funeral procession.
If you love Victorian or Edwardian era London and become excited when a mortsafe is mentioned, or you're seeking a light and enjoyable read that happens to be set in the colonial funeral industry this is for you. You can read the prologue and first chapter of Black Silk and Sympathy by Deborah Challinor via a link on my blog.
* Courtesy of Harper Collins *
I've always been deeply interested in Victorian funeral and mourning etiquette and I loved reading about any and all aspects of Crowe Funeral Services in Sydney.
"Henry and Robert prepared the hearse - a very beautiful vehicle with four glass sides embellished with gold accents and otherwise painted a gleaming black - and the two magnificent horses pulling it. Their names were Spirit and Phantom, which Tatty thought were splendid names for funeral horses, and they were cloaked in black velvet drapes and wore tall head-dresses of thick black ostrich plumes. They were Belgian Blacks and had, according to Henry, cost Titus an absolute fortune to import to New South Wales from England." Page 44
It's disturbing to imagine Belgian Black horses being transported and confined below decks for the gruelling passage to London but they must have been an incredible sight to see on the streets of Sydney at the time.
Titus Crowe is a terrific character who came across as very Dickensian to me and I can easily see him on screen in a TV adaptation. (Miss Scarlet & The Duke comes to mind here, love that show!)
Here's an excerpt about mourning jewellery from the novel:
'Here you have your rings,' Mr Coverdale said. 'For ladies and men, black enamel on eighteen-karat gold, inlaid with In Memoriam perhaps, or we can add the deceased's name and date of passing. Alternatively, those details can be engraved on the inside of the band. We also have black enamel and seed pearl rings - they're considered very fashionable at the moment.' Page 68
Tatty attends funerals in the newly created cemetery and it was exciting to be reminded of Sydney's history when it comes to cemeteries, mortuary trains and mortuary train stations. In 2020 I started listening to the Grave Tales Australia podcast, and it was so engaging I went on to read and review their book Grave Tales: Melbourne Vol.1 by Helen Goltz and Chris Adams.
Back to the book and my favourite section by far was Tatty's visit to the draper and haberdasher Mr Rodney Burton. Tatty discovers his store is three times bigger than the other stores, all the better to house his huge range of fabrics and notions including buttons, trims, nets, ribbons, beads, lace, artificial flowers and more. Tatty is thrilled to discover that at least a third of the well-stocked emporium is dedicated to selling materials associated with mourning the dead.
"As well as the ubiquitous black crape there was also bombazine, parramatta silk, merino, delaine and velvet, and for half-mourning a head-spinning range of fabrics with a little more lustre and life in black, grey, purple-mauve, lavender, violet and white. Burton's also sold a huge selection of handkerchiefs edged with black lace, black gloves, umbrellas and sunshades, black lace fans, black shoes and boots, and a good selection of shawls." Page 73
I'd love to browse that store, wouldn't you? In spite of the funereal backdrop of Crowe Funeral Services, the author has given us an engaging main character in Tatty to cheer for and a relatively light narrative that skips along at a leisurely pace in an early Sydney streetscape.
I haven't read any of Challinor's extensive backlist but I was pleasantly surprised - given the Sydney setting - to discover the author is a Kiwi residing in New Zealand. Better still, Black Silk and Sympathy is just the first in a series and I'm looking forward to some terrific funereal adventures with Tatty at the head of the funeral procession.
If you love Victorian or Edwardian era London and become excited when a mortsafe is mentioned, or you're seeking a light and enjoyable read that happens to be set in the colonial funeral industry this is for you. You can read the prologue and first chapter of Black Silk and Sympathy by Deborah Challinor via a link on my blog.
* Courtesy of Harper Collins *
July 2, 2024
Loved this book, the writing and the characters. Looking forward to 2nd book in series 2025. Really informative and interesting are the authors historical notes at the end. Fascinating everything about mourners jewellery especially.
August 28, 2024
Lent this book by a friend and I did not enjoy it. I disliked the central character. The premise of being a female undertaker in Sydney in the late 1800s should have been interesting but the writing style was odd and somewhat immature. A fairly tidy ending but a sequel is planned- I shall not be reading it.
May 2, 2024
2.5 A good read but in my opinion surprisingly poorly written . I find it hard to imagine a young woman digging up a grave all on her own at night .things that happened just were conveniently in the right place at the right time . I probably wouldn’t bother with the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
Really interesting historical fiction from a NZ author. Finished it so quickly over a couple of bigger travel days. ✈️
Loved the main character, Tatty - she is a force to be reckoned with!!
There was a lengthy author’s note at the end of the book that described further history of the time, area, funerals & the undertaking profession.
Excited for the next book in the series!
Loved the main character, Tatty - she is a force to be reckoned with!!
There was a lengthy author’s note at the end of the book that described further history of the time, area, funerals & the undertaking profession.
Excited for the next book in the series!
May 10, 2025
Thought I'd give this latest series a go- my siblings flatted with Deborah as Waikato Uni students. Easy to see why her books are popular - at the centre is an female underdog - in this one Tatty who marries into an undertaking business in 1860s Sydney. Deborah's love of history and dry humour shines through especially in her 25 pages of Authors Notes!
June 3, 2024
I enjoyed this! Deborah obviously does her research with historical fiction. The author notes are well worth reading. A couple of characters from The Smugglers Wife series make an appearance too.
July 7, 2024
Seemed to start off well, but thought the storyline deteriorated with the author scratching for ideas as to how to develop the story. Disappointing.
April 6, 2024
Deborah Challinor's latest novel follows Tatiana Caldwell, who, after tragedy strikes, emigrates to Sydney in 1864. She becomes the city's first female undertaker, but faces challenges when accused of poisoning her husband. To clear her name, she uncovers dark secrets in a gripping tale set in Victorian-era Sydney.
Challinor has created a new historical fiction novel, which shows the quality and depth of research she puts into her work. The morbid history of undertaking and funerals is covered graphically, but is juxtaposed with a quirky bunch of characters with lots of light-hearted banter. I imagine Sydney locals will no doubt be entranced with the nods to the local geography. Really enjoyed this one and am pleased to see it is #1 in a trilogy by the looks!
Challinor has created a new historical fiction novel, which shows the quality and depth of research she puts into her work. The morbid history of undertaking and funerals is covered graphically, but is juxtaposed with a quirky bunch of characters with lots of light-hearted banter. I imagine Sydney locals will no doubt be entranced with the nods to the local geography. Really enjoyed this one and am pleased to see it is #1 in a trilogy by the looks!
April 15, 2024
Firstly, I want to thank Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book.
Black Silk & Sympathy was such a good read. I loved following Tatty along on her journey to Sydney and becoming an undertaker. Getting to hear about all the different families she met and the stuff she had to go through. I felt like there was never a boring moment. I see that there might be another one and I’m so excited for that.
Black Silk & Sympathy was such a good read. I loved following Tatty along on her journey to Sydney and becoming an undertaker. Getting to hear about all the different families she met and the stuff she had to go through. I felt like there was never a boring moment. I see that there might be another one and I’m so excited for that.
May 20, 2024
Loved this book!!
August 4, 2024
Really enjoyed reading another DC book! Great characters and intriguing storyline. As Mia suggested, reading the notes was also very interesting. Good to see the Tatty story will continue 😏
May 19, 2025
A really enjoyable easy read. I liked the mix of history and fiction.
October 8, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would say it was not my usual, however, i feel like I've said that quite a few times in my past few reads.
It started off as a little sad, little morbid story of Tatty's need to escape to Sydney, Austria in the late 1800s. How she dreamed of owning a business and being financially independent, which she got by the end of the boo,k but not before lies, cheating and death surrounded her, mostly not by her own hand. The women's empowerment within this book was perfect, each character having their own little wins along the way.
It was captivating, not too gory, but enough to give you an idea, which was a good balance. I wish we had gotten more snippets of the others' lives, but I suppose it wasn't their story.
I was a little disappointed, much like the main character Tatty, with the ending; it just didn't hit home. I know there is another book in the works; however, each one should be able to stand on its own
I would recommend this book
It started off as a little sad, little morbid story of Tatty's need to escape to Sydney, Austria in the late 1800s. How she dreamed of owning a business and being financially independent, which she got by the end of the boo,k but not before lies, cheating and death surrounded her, mostly not by her own hand. The women's empowerment within this book was perfect, each character having their own little wins along the way.
It was captivating, not too gory, but enough to give you an idea, which was a good balance. I wish we had gotten more snippets of the others' lives, but I suppose it wasn't their story.
I was a little disappointed, much like the main character Tatty, with the ending; it just didn't hit home. I know there is another book in the works; however, each one should be able to stand on its own
I would recommend this book
March 4, 2025
DNF at only 5% read. My pet hate - historical fiction that has current attitudes/ speech/ behaviour, rather than reflecting the time period.
April 30, 2024
What a glorious treat Black Silk & Sympathy by Deborah Challinor is , from the eyecatching cover the reader begins a fascinating journey from London to Sydney walking alongside Tatiana (Tatty)Caldwell as she begins a new life in the colonies.
Tatiana Caldwell is only 17 years old when she decides to emigrate to Sydney after the death of both her parents leaves her without a home.With no other family to support her and having read the advertisement in a London newspaper seeking “Young Women Desirous of Bettering their Condition” she sends an application.Once all her mothers affairs were in order Tatiana set sail for Australia during December 1864 hoping to “Enjoy favourable year-round weather, share in the prosperity of the Colonies and be rewarded for her Labours” as the advertisement had suggested. She begins an apprenticeship at Crowe Funeral Services working alongside Titus Crowe the owner operator of the undertaking business.
After completing her apprenticeship Tatty marries Titus , and when he dies she takes over the business, becoming Sydney's only female undertaker
This is the first book in a new series by the author and it is an enthralling read for those who love historical fiction , the pages just turned so easily and I found myself reading well in to the night . There are some dark twists in the storyline which Challinor skillfully incorporates , but she has portrayed a novel with strong characters who work hard to achieve their goals .
Deborah Challinor has written eighteen best selling novels and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature and historical research in 2018
Deborah Challinor has done considerable research for this book and has included much of her findings in the authors notes at the rear of the novel .
She has also included an excerpt from the next book in the series and it appears Tatty is just as busy in the community helping people to give their family members the best burial at the end of their life
Tatiana Caldwell is only 17 years old when she decides to emigrate to Sydney after the death of both her parents leaves her without a home.With no other family to support her and having read the advertisement in a London newspaper seeking “Young Women Desirous of Bettering their Condition” she sends an application.Once all her mothers affairs were in order Tatiana set sail for Australia during December 1864 hoping to “Enjoy favourable year-round weather, share in the prosperity of the Colonies and be rewarded for her Labours” as the advertisement had suggested. She begins an apprenticeship at Crowe Funeral Services working alongside Titus Crowe the owner operator of the undertaking business.
After completing her apprenticeship Tatty marries Titus , and when he dies she takes over the business, becoming Sydney's only female undertaker
This is the first book in a new series by the author and it is an enthralling read for those who love historical fiction , the pages just turned so easily and I found myself reading well in to the night . There are some dark twists in the storyline which Challinor skillfully incorporates , but she has portrayed a novel with strong characters who work hard to achieve their goals .
Deborah Challinor has written eighteen best selling novels and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature and historical research in 2018
Deborah Challinor has done considerable research for this book and has included much of her findings in the authors notes at the rear of the novel .
She has also included an excerpt from the next book in the series and it appears Tatty is just as busy in the community helping people to give their family members the best burial at the end of their life
May 4, 2024
I have always enjoyed a Deborah Challinor book. She does her due diligence, researches the history of her setting, creates strong characters, in this case Tatty, and writes a story that totally enthrals you from start to finish.
Young Tatiana is orphaned at the age of 18, and with very little money, she purchases passage to Australia. With hopes and dreams, the prospect of a new life, of becoming something she sets sail for New South Wales.
Before long she is employed by one of the local undertakers and is learning the business of burying the dead. Unfortunately her employer Titus Crowe, is not who she thought he was. Having been left with very little after her parents passing and the heartache of deciding on all the funeral arrangements of her parents, she strives to achieve better for the bereaved, especially those with little money like herself when she had to bury her parents.
What Titus doesn’t realise is how intelligent Tatty is, how personable she is and how deft she is at reading a room. She knows what she has to do to achieve her goals in life, and she sets out to do this, very early on in this book.
What impressed me was the connection to the characters of the beautifully written Convict Girls series. Now, you don’t need to have read the books prior to this one, but gee I’m glad I did. Catching up with the girls was a real treat and to see what happened to them a few years on from where I left them was so special.
I cannot wait, but wait I will have to do for the next instalment of Tatty Crowe.
Young Tatiana is orphaned at the age of 18, and with very little money, she purchases passage to Australia. With hopes and dreams, the prospect of a new life, of becoming something she sets sail for New South Wales.
Before long she is employed by one of the local undertakers and is learning the business of burying the dead. Unfortunately her employer Titus Crowe, is not who she thought he was. Having been left with very little after her parents passing and the heartache of deciding on all the funeral arrangements of her parents, she strives to achieve better for the bereaved, especially those with little money like herself when she had to bury her parents.
What Titus doesn’t realise is how intelligent Tatty is, how personable she is and how deft she is at reading a room. She knows what she has to do to achieve her goals in life, and she sets out to do this, very early on in this book.
What impressed me was the connection to the characters of the beautifully written Convict Girls series. Now, you don’t need to have read the books prior to this one, but gee I’m glad I did. Catching up with the girls was a real treat and to see what happened to them a few years on from where I left them was so special.
I cannot wait, but wait I will have to do for the next instalment of Tatty Crowe.
February 17, 2025
“Black Silk and Sympathy" by Deborah Challinor is a captivating historical novel that immerses readers in a rich tapestry of emotion, intrigue, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous time, Challinor skillfully weaves a narrative that offers not just a glimpse into the past, but also profound insights into the human spirit.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each facing their own struggles and moral dilemmas that resonate with contemporary issues. The protagonist, in particular, is a strong and complex figure whose journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Challinor's ability to create vivid and authentic settings further enhances the reading experience, transporting you to a different era while keeping you emotionally engaged.
While the pacing of the story occasionally lags, particularly in the middle sections, the intricate plotting and rich character arcs more than make up for it. Challinor's prose is elegant and evocative, painting a clear picture of the time and place while allowing the reader's imagination to flourish.
Overall, "Black Silk and Sympathy" is a beautifully written novel that combines historical depth with poignant storytelling. It is a compelling read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction who appreciate strong character-driven narratives.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, each facing their own struggles and moral dilemmas that resonate with contemporary issues. The protagonist, in particular, is a strong and complex figure whose journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. Challinor's ability to create vivid and authentic settings further enhances the reading experience, transporting you to a different era while keeping you emotionally engaged.
While the pacing of the story occasionally lags, particularly in the middle sections, the intricate plotting and rich character arcs more than make up for it. Challinor's prose is elegant and evocative, painting a clear picture of the time and place while allowing the reader's imagination to flourish.
Overall, "Black Silk and Sympathy" is a beautifully written novel that combines historical depth with poignant storytelling. It is a compelling read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction who appreciate strong character-driven narratives.
March 7, 2025
I chose this book at our local library from a stand of "Staff Picks". A little different to the crime/thriller/mystery genre I usually prefer, but I quite enjoyed the mental holiday from trying to figure out "who dunnit"!
A light-weight story of a young girl arriving in Sydney in the mid 1860's and becoming involved in the undertaking business, an unusual profession for women in those days. Although a little far-fetched at times, it was a relaxing and enjoyable read which didn't tax my imagination too much.
It was slow to start and I almost put it aside after the first couple of chapters, but it soon picked up when Tatty (where did the author come up with that name?) arrived in Sydney and got stuck into her new job. Some good characters for the reader to love and hate and a faint hint of a mystery together with a good insight to life in Sydney in the 1860's.
I also enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end of the book and further details of her research.
A light-weight story of a young girl arriving in Sydney in the mid 1860's and becoming involved in the undertaking business, an unusual profession for women in those days. Although a little far-fetched at times, it was a relaxing and enjoyable read which didn't tax my imagination too much.
It was slow to start and I almost put it aside after the first couple of chapters, but it soon picked up when Tatty (where did the author come up with that name?) arrived in Sydney and got stuck into her new job. Some good characters for the reader to love and hate and a faint hint of a mystery together with a good insight to life in Sydney in the 1860's.
I also enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end of the book and further details of her research.
May 11, 2025
This gripping historical novel follows Tatiana “Tatty” Caldwell, a determined young woman who leaves London for a new life in Sydney.
Apprenticed to funeral trade business owner/operator, Titus Crowe, Tatty quickly proves her skills and abilities in this sensitive field. Tatty soon marries her mentor and finds herself in a life/business that has elements of greed, suspicion and violence.
As Tatty becomes aware of Titus’s secrets, she is determined to make this business hers, and despite being accused of his murder soon after they are married, she defies societal expectations to become Sydney’s first female undertaker.
Tatty faces opposition from a powerful rival within the trade, one that puts Tatty and her staff’s lives at risk, but Tatty bands together some allies to deal with the accusations and rivalry in a way that Tatty knows best.
Apprenticed to funeral trade business owner/operator, Titus Crowe, Tatty quickly proves her skills and abilities in this sensitive field. Tatty soon marries her mentor and finds herself in a life/business that has elements of greed, suspicion and violence.
As Tatty becomes aware of Titus’s secrets, she is determined to make this business hers, and despite being accused of his murder soon after they are married, she defies societal expectations to become Sydney’s first female undertaker.
Tatty faces opposition from a powerful rival within the trade, one that puts Tatty and her staff’s lives at risk, but Tatty bands together some allies to deal with the accusations and rivalry in a way that Tatty knows best.
September 13, 2024
This was one of my 2024 hopefuls after seeing it on a shelf at an airport back in may! I found it slow and a tad bit boring at the start, but the further into the story I got the more it grabbed my attention! I found myself really enjoying it at the end and felt quite attached to tatty!
I absolutely loved the “females helping females” aspect of the story, it’s refreshing to read something like it. Also the rise of female in a world dominated by men was also refreshing and also what kept me hooked by the end.
I’ve recommended this to friends and my book club and I’m already eagerly awaiting book 2!
I absolutely loved the “females helping females” aspect of the story, it’s refreshing to read something like it. Also the rise of female in a world dominated by men was also refreshing and also what kept me hooked by the end.
I’ve recommended this to friends and my book club and I’m already eagerly awaiting book 2!
April 23, 2024
The first book in what promises to be a another amazing series by this very talented author.
I enjoyed getting to know my way around Victorian Sydney. The author has clearly done her research - every aspect of a Victorian funeral was explained. The way she brings Sydney to life made me feel as though I could leap into the pages and find my own way around.
What I especially loved the most was getting to hear from Friday, Harrie and Sarah again - I missed them so much!
The extract from the next book is very tantalizing! Can't wait to sink my teeth into that one!
I enjoyed getting to know my way around Victorian Sydney. The author has clearly done her research - every aspect of a Victorian funeral was explained. The way she brings Sydney to life made me feel as though I could leap into the pages and find my own way around.
What I especially loved the most was getting to hear from Friday, Harrie and Sarah again - I missed them so much!
The extract from the next book is very tantalizing! Can't wait to sink my teeth into that one!
September 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this historical fictional story set in 1860s Sydney where the central character Tatty Crowe runs an undertaking business. Also very interesting were the Author Notes where Deborah gave the research background to a lot of detail surrounding death and the funeral profession during that era.
I shall certainly be looking forward to reading the next book in the series after reading the extract at the end of this book.
I shall certainly be looking forward to reading the next book in the series after reading the extract at the end of this book.
November 17, 2024
I would have to say actually a 3.5. Great cover to start with, always a plus for me. Then comes a rollicking good story with plenty of historical details to keep the mind ticking over as you go. I really enjoyed the pace of the story which kept me turning the pages as even though I thought I knew where it was taking me, I couldn't be totally sure. Fantastic author's notes which are always the icing on the cake for us trivia collectors. Looking forward to the next installment.
January 12, 2025
An easy historical fiction from my fave NZ author. Nothing super special but kept me engaged the whole time. Focus is on undertaking in late 1800s, Sydney and I love that Deborah Challinor is so well researched and gives thorough author's notes at the end. I also enjoyed the author bringing in characters from her earlier books - knowing them wasn't crucial to the story but still fun to revisit them.
February 9, 2025
A disarmingly amusing and interesting read. While not a typically "fun" topic, reading about Tatty's (quite graphic and often icky) work as an undertaker's assistant and becoming a business owner in her own right was fascinating (following the death of her absolute human stain of a husband). Set in 1860s Sydney, we are treated to insight into life as a woman in Australia, also touching on class discrepancies, and racial inequality. Ordinarily, I am not a historical fiction kinda gal, but I make an exception for kick-ass women (which this story has in spades).
This story was a brilliant blend of fact and fiction, and I can't wait to see what is next for Tatty Crowe and her crew.
This story was a brilliant blend of fact and fiction, and I can't wait to see what is next for Tatty Crowe and her crew.
May 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Tatiana comes to Sydney after her Mother dies. Her Father had died earlier leaving his wife and Tatiana provided for. However someone prevents this and Tatiana is left destitute. She wishes to have her own business. In Australia she works as a funeral director’s assistant, who she is persuaded to marry. He becomes ill and Tatty continues to operate the business. A fascinating story.
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