What do you think?
Rate this book
Emma Grady #2
Alley Urchin
To return to those she loves, she must also return to the past...
In the second instalment of her Emma Grady trilogy, Josephine Cox brings us Alley Urchin, a gripping saga of a woman determined to overcome the brutality of life as a convict to return to the man she loves.
By 1870 Emma Grady has spent seven years of servitude as a convict in Australia. Emma lives for the day when she will return to England, to face those who cheated and betrayed her. And to Marlow Tanner, the man she loves - and whose tragic child she had borne and then lost.
Emma struggles to make something of her life in Australia despite the sinister presence of her employer's evil son, Foster. His determination to 'have' Emma leads to dark and terrifying consequences. As Emma battles against adversity, she is unaware that in England the child she has given up for dead is being lovingly raised by Marlow's sister Old Sal, who teaches Emma's daughter Molly to be an expert pickpocket.
Will Emma ever be reunited with Marlow? Even if she finds him, will he still love her? And what of the child lost to both of them? Emma is plagued with fears but her love for Marlow never weakens - and can never be forgotten...
In the second instalment of her Emma Grady trilogy, Josephine Cox brings us Alley Urchin, a gripping saga of a woman determined to overcome the brutality of life as a convict to return to the man she loves.
By 1870 Emma Grady has spent seven years of servitude as a convict in Australia. Emma lives for the day when she will return to England, to face those who cheated and betrayed her. And to Marlow Tanner, the man she loves - and whose tragic child she had borne and then lost.
Emma struggles to make something of her life in Australia despite the sinister presence of her employer's evil son, Foster. His determination to 'have' Emma leads to dark and terrifying consequences. As Emma battles against adversity, she is unaware that in England the child she has given up for dead is being lovingly raised by Marlow's sister Old Sal, who teaches Emma's daughter Molly to be an expert pickpocket.
Will Emma ever be reunited with Marlow? Even if she finds him, will he still love her? And what of the child lost to both of them? Emma is plagued with fears but her love for Marlow never weakens - and can never be forgotten...
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
120 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Cox
111 books332 followersJosephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 10, 2013
One of the best trilogy of books i have read
April 15, 2017
The pace picks up a little more in this book, book 2 of the trilogy. An easy gentle read but I enjoyed it.
November 15, 2016
Maybe because I hadn't read the previous book, I didn't enjoy this very much. Despite the good reviews for it, I wasn't as engrossed as I usually am in a Josephine Cox book. To me it seemed to lack something and dragged, my mind was just not in it. Perhaps I shall try the first one and come back to this, but perhaps not, there are many other books to read.
December 11, 2012
have on read all 3 in this series more than once and loved them all
March 19, 2021
Another good story from Josephine Cox. I started getting a bit confused when more characters were introduced about half way through, so much so that I had to write down who was related to who! The cook's character was a bit inconsistent, it varied between a kindly soul and one to a mean name-calling person to young Molly when she appeared at the door of the house.
The one thing which really spoilt it for me, hence the 4 stars and not 5, was that the whole story line was ridiculously far-fetched throughout. The many coincidences were really unbelievable.
Also, I was very disappointed at the unsatisfactory ending. I know this is part of a trilogy and there is a third book after this but there were a number of unresolved issues at the end. Each book of a trilogy should also be a standalone read and any storyline issues should be addressed and resolved before moving on to the next part.
Apart from the above, it was an enjoyable read and probably one of her better ones.
The one thing which really spoilt it for me, hence the 4 stars and not 5, was that the whole story line was ridiculously far-fetched throughout. The many coincidences were really unbelievable.
Also, I was very disappointed at the unsatisfactory ending. I know this is part of a trilogy and there is a third book after this but there were a number of unresolved issues at the end. Each book of a trilogy should also be a standalone read and any storyline issues should be addressed and resolved before moving on to the next part.
Apart from the above, it was an enjoyable read and probably one of her better ones.
September 23, 2025
Alley Urchin, Book 2 in Emma Grady trilogy by JosephineCox.
⭐️ 4.25/5 📚
Review
No spoilers of the first Book
This book was EVERYTHING I hoped for. The time jump from the first book was unexpected, but the plot quickly picked up pace. Josephine Cox's writing is PHENOMENAL - the way she wove together multiple storylines is pure magic! However, the time jumps sometimes left me scratching my head. So much plot in such a short novel made the timeline a bit confusing.
⭐️ 4.25/5 📚
Review
No spoilers of the first Book
This book was EVERYTHING I hoped for. The time jump from the first book was unexpected, but the plot quickly picked up pace. Josephine Cox's writing is PHENOMENAL - the way she wove together multiple storylines is pure magic! However, the time jumps sometimes left me scratching my head. So much plot in such a short novel made the timeline a bit confusing.
July 17, 2018
A great read
The second in the Emma Grady trilogy and it was a great read , the hard and awful life this young woman endures is shocking. Through hard work and determination she prospers in Australia and the next chapter of her life ensues. It's a good book, excellent story and well told by this talented author. I would recommend it to anyone.
The second in the Emma Grady trilogy and it was a great read , the hard and awful life this young woman endures is shocking. Through hard work and determination she prospers in Australia and the next chapter of her life ensues. It's a good book, excellent story and well told by this talented author. I would recommend it to anyone.
November 22, 2020
Having just read Outcast, the first in the Emma Grady trilogy ( to which I gave 4 *) I was glad to be able to read the sequel Alley Urchin straight away and continue with Emma's story. This was definitely more gripping and I have given it a well deserved 5*. Will now start Vagabonds the last part of the trilogy and hope that's as good.
December 10, 2019
Absolutely Fantastic!
the Emma Grady trilogy is just amazing! Must read! And Dont Cry Alone is also amazing. Josephine Cox' writing is gripping, romantic, heart breaking and uplifting. Loved it.
the Emma Grady trilogy is just amazing! Must read! And Dont Cry Alone is also amazing. Josephine Cox' writing is gripping, romantic, heart breaking and uplifting. Loved it.
July 31, 2020
Boats and children
I have now read two of the three books in this series. From the first page I fell in love with all the characters. Some very brave. Looking forward to reading the last book. Thank you Josephine Cox.
I have now read two of the three books in this series. From the first page I fell in love with all the characters. Some very brave. Looking forward to reading the last book. Thank you Josephine Cox.
December 15, 2020
Emma Grady trilogy, as I have done before I read these books out of order which a shame was. But I still enjoyed reading this series, quite saga of love, resilience and revenge, tragedy, cruelty. But Emma wins out in the end...
March 17, 2021
Fantastic reading.
Loving this trilogy. Couldn't put this book down, same as book1. Looking forward to starting book 3, final book in this fantastic trilogy. Sad, happy and such gripping story.
Loving this trilogy. Couldn't put this book down, same as book1. Looking forward to starting book 3, final book in this fantastic trilogy. Sad, happy and such gripping story.
July 13, 2023
Alley Urchin - Josephine Cox (Book 2)
Karma starts to come for those that have wronged the world and those that have been wronged. The story touches on the fact that fate can be coming around the corner at any time.
Karma starts to come for those that have wronged the world and those that have been wronged. The story touches on the fact that fate can be coming around the corner at any time.
October 18, 2017
Brilliant book cant wait to read book three
This book kept my attention couldn't put it down
Can't wait to read the third one I loved the story line
This book kept my attention couldn't put it down
Can't wait to read the third one I loved the story line
January 14, 2018
Full of intrigue and love.
A story about love overcoming hate. Very powerful with lots of twists and turns. Can't wait to read next in saga. Hope there is one!
A story about love overcoming hate. Very powerful with lots of twists and turns. Can't wait to read next in saga. Hope there is one!
September 30, 2019
Alley urchin
I am looking forward to the last book in the trilogy , I have enjoyed the last two and it’s kept me quiet for hours
I am looking forward to the last book in the trilogy , I have enjoyed the last two and it’s kept me quiet for hours
Read
November 3, 2019Superb
Really enjoyed number 2 in the series and looking forward to reading the next book to find out the fate of Emma Grady
Really enjoyed number 2 in the series and looking forward to reading the next book to find out the fate of Emma Grady
November 14, 2019
Just started the last of the trilogy. A lovely read. Josephine Cox is a superb writer, holds you from the beginning!
December 23, 2019
Riveting, page-turner, the stuff of soap operas. Made me look right away for the next book!
February 2, 2020
More enjoyable
I did enjoy this book more than the first in the trilogy, maybe because I was already familiar with the characters, and because it moved along at a better pace.
I did enjoy this book more than the first in the trilogy, maybe because I was already familiar with the characters, and because it moved along at a better pace.
July 15, 2020
Could not put this book down absolutely brilliant
December 16, 2022
Oh I loved this book 5*
Didn’t realise it was a trilogy,therefore started on book 2 ,hopefully
I will get to read the 3rd part as really want to know how things turn out
Brilliant read enjoy 🤩
Didn’t realise it was a trilogy,therefore started on book 2 ,hopefully
I will get to read the 3rd part as really want to know how things turn out
Brilliant read enjoy 🤩
February 13, 2023
I am really enjoying this trilogy of books. Only one more to read.
March 25, 2025
The 2nd book in this trilogy was a lot better than the 1st. Good read. Looking forward to the 3rd book.
March 27, 2025
This is the second of three books excellent story 👏
March 31, 2025
An easy read for a sunny afternoon.
June 22, 2025
As always you lose yourself in the book
I have really enjoyed this 2nd part of the series and am looking forward to reading the last part. Excellent saga
I have really enjoyed this 2nd part of the series and am looking forward to reading the last part. Excellent saga
November 26, 2025
Fab read
October 17, 2019
Great Read, held my attention most of the way
July 9, 2025
A very enthralling read you just cannot wait to really get into it withe the characters Emma,Mollie and Nelly wo are great characters. Looking forward to reading the last one of this trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews