The Pearl Button Girl

by Annie Murray

Annie Murray's The Pearl Button Girl is book one in the Children of Birmingham series, starting in Victorian Birmingham and following the trials and triumphs of the Fletcher family.

Working at the local pearl button factory, Ada Fletcher is doing her best to make ends meet in trying times.

When tragedy strikes and her siblings are taken to a workhouse orphanage, Ada is saved from a similar fate by her neighbour, Sarah Connell.

But the roof over Ada’s head doesn’t come without a the Connells have too many children, not enough money, and Sarah’s reliance on drink means that it isn’t long before Ada needs to escape.

Determined to be more than just a factory girl, Ada embarks on a journey to reunite with her siblings. But in a teeming industrial city, will she be able to find long-lost family as well as a home and life to call her own?

Genres: Historical Fiction

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2025

About the author

Annie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming tale. A new author for me, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her novels, if they are all as good as this 1.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great Annie Murray story. It was very interesting to read about the pearl button manufacturing. I love Annie Murray's books as they allow me to learn about history without having to read a dry boring history book.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in victorian Birmingham, this starts off with a trip to London for the Fletcher family. The family ends up getting separated with Ada ending up building her own button making business. A brilliant start to the Children of Birmingham series!

[Samantha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hooked me.
I wondered what was going to happen in this book.
I felt like I could be lost in this story.
Annie Murray really amazed me with this.
But for a while I thought it would have nothing to do with the title. But I was wrong.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good keeping me intrested

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all her books 😁

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read loved it 5*

[Sara Mcmillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a family that is torn apart But Ada the eldest goes through her life fighting and makes a new life finding her family and makes a career that makes her happy.

[Corrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Full of twist and turns

[Annemarie Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little bit slow to start with, but soon pulled in

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

anne s books are always a good read.....

The girls have to find work and are told about a Button factory...... so they apply and need he work before the family goes to the work house,

[Vix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in the new Children of Birmingham series and so much has happened already - the blurb doesn't do it justice.

The hardships and heartbreak Ada has already had to navigate is astounding, especially in a world which values women far below men. Her firm beliefs and how she keeps pushing on no matter the blows she's dealt is inspiring.

I flew through this as I was so invested in Ada’s journey, she's such a likeable character. She takes on so much responsibility when the adults around her either can't or won't and from such a young age - you can see it shaping her personality.

I am hooked and need to continue with the series - I have read others by Annie (and loved them), but this touched me in a different way. Maybe it's because they are all so young, but it just feels more emotional.

Overall, if you enjoy historical fiction, family dramas, general fiction, or anything emotional, then you must pick this up!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.