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The Devil's Draper
FROM THE AUTHOR OF 'THE UNPICKING'
When whispers of abuse at Arrol's department store reach Mabel, a determined policewoman, she knows she must act. Enlisting the help of Johnnie, a cunning thief, and Beatrice, a savvy businesswoman, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. Set against the backdrop of 1920s Glasgow, where women's voices are often silenced, this thrilling tale weaves together crime, justice, and the fight for equality. As the trio inches closer to exposing the scandal, they realize that in a world where women are rarely believed, their very lives may be at stake.
When whispers of abuse at Arrol's department store reach Mabel, a determined policewoman, she knows she must act. Enlisting the help of Johnnie, a cunning thief, and Beatrice, a savvy businesswoman, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. Set against the backdrop of 1920s Glasgow, where women's voices are often silenced, this thrilling tale weaves together crime, justice, and the fight for equality. As the trio inches closer to exposing the scandal, they realize that in a world where women are rarely believed, their very lives may be at stake.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive a free advance copy of this book ahead of its publication and finished it in less than two days—it was that gripping! Having read The Unpicking by Donna Moore, the first book in the series, I went in with high expectations, and I have to say this installment exceeded them. I absolutely loved the characters, the mystery element, and the feminist undertones that run throughout. I really hope there are more books to come in this series!!!
May 26, 2025
Having been enthralled by the three generations of the Gilfillan women in Moore's The Unpicking it was a delight to discover that the story continued with Moore charting the further progress of the granddaughter Mabel as she fashions a career in the generally unwelcoming atmosphere of the Glasgow police force. Despite the fact that her duties are supposed to be limited to 'statement taking' Mabel manages to find her way into a variety of investigations in and around the world of Glasgow's high end retail, art and fashion of the 1920s.
While Mabel is the only first person protagonist, she shares the narrative with two other remarkable women. There is Beatrice, twice bereaved by the war, who runs an employment agency for women, and there is Johnnie less reputably employed as a skilled pickpocket and shoplifter for a gang of women only thieves. Circumstances force this unlikely trio into close co-operation, with their meetings hosted, facilitated and moderated by Winnie the indomitable attendant of the most hospitable women's toilet in Glasgow.
The inciting premise is the behaviour of a predatory store owner - a kind of 1920s Mohammed Al Fayed. Given Al Fayed's long evasion of any accountability for his actions even in our more 'enlightened' times, it is no surprise that bringing Hector Arrol to account in the essentially misogynistic era of 1920s justice is a tall order for our three protagonists. However, the investigation throws them into in the way of even more significant dangers.
The very different natures of the three women means that the book takes a little time to bring them all together on the same agenda, even with Winnie's help. However, it does give Moore the opportunity to paint a vivid picture of different aspects of 1920s life. Before surveillance videos, where identification relied on fallible human memory, the all women gang of St Thenue's Avengers fill a gap between Fagin's band of artful dodgers and the more vicious Peaky Blinders. Less exploitative than the former, less violent than the latter, The Avengers are still a fundamentally pragmatic organised gang led by the cynical streetwise Meg. In the Avengers' top operative - Johnnie - Moore gives us the engagingly amoral character of Johnnie. We first meet her gate crashing a high society wedding to extremely lucrative advantage.
Mabel meanwhile, still striving to find an active role in investigative work, finds herself employed as accompanying female cover for male counterparts in staking out restaurants where drug deals are reputedly being done. I enjoyed the subplot that addressed the loose end from The Unpicking where Mabel's Grandmother had been languishing for nearly half a century in an asylum at the behest of her profligate husband. While it was lovely to see Lillias's story get some closure and a happy ending of her own, the nature of 1920s law regarding husband and wife limits the accountability that can be extracted from her vile spouse.
I particularly enjoyed Mabel's encounter with a proponent of the dadaist movement as reminder that it wasn't just poppies that grew out of the bloodied soil of the first world war. As with the second world war, the immediate aftermath of conflict was a collective desire to build something new and better than what had preceded the rubble. In Glasgow, as also in Weimar Germany, the 1920s were also an exciting period of challenging old assumptions, braving new freedoms and suggesting humanity might be a broader congregation than conservative thinkers would have us believe.
Back then, of course, Mabel sees that against a backdrop of reactionary resistance and ridicule, much as we too see the social progress of the early 2000s being attacked even now. In the interwar years the forces of conservatism were able to strike back hardest against social progress in the chaos of the wall street crash and the great depression that those same conservative forces did so much to fuel. Similarly in our time a level of toxic inequality generated and extended through the wealth and influence accrued by the 1% is generating precisely that insecurity and fear that brings populist demagogues to power.
Which means it would be interesting to see how Mabel and her new friends pursue the careers that Moore has so intriguingly left open for them through those interwar years. With the quick pace given by its relatively short chapters and sharp viewpoint changes The Devil's Draper is a charming insight into the lives of women in an era that should be very different to our own, but which still has some alarming parallels.
While Mabel is the only first person protagonist, she shares the narrative with two other remarkable women. There is Beatrice, twice bereaved by the war, who runs an employment agency for women, and there is Johnnie less reputably employed as a skilled pickpocket and shoplifter for a gang of women only thieves. Circumstances force this unlikely trio into close co-operation, with their meetings hosted, facilitated and moderated by Winnie the indomitable attendant of the most hospitable women's toilet in Glasgow.
The inciting premise is the behaviour of a predatory store owner - a kind of 1920s Mohammed Al Fayed. Given Al Fayed's long evasion of any accountability for his actions even in our more 'enlightened' times, it is no surprise that bringing Hector Arrol to account in the essentially misogynistic era of 1920s justice is a tall order for our three protagonists. However, the investigation throws them into in the way of even more significant dangers.
The very different natures of the three women means that the book takes a little time to bring them all together on the same agenda, even with Winnie's help. However, it does give Moore the opportunity to paint a vivid picture of different aspects of 1920s life. Before surveillance videos, where identification relied on fallible human memory, the all women gang of St Thenue's Avengers fill a gap between Fagin's band of artful dodgers and the more vicious Peaky Blinders. Less exploitative than the former, less violent than the latter, The Avengers are still a fundamentally pragmatic organised gang led by the cynical streetwise Meg. In the Avengers' top operative - Johnnie - Moore gives us the engagingly amoral character of Johnnie. We first meet her gate crashing a high society wedding to extremely lucrative advantage.
Mabel meanwhile, still striving to find an active role in investigative work, finds herself employed as accompanying female cover for male counterparts in staking out restaurants where drug deals are reputedly being done. I enjoyed the subplot that addressed the loose end from The Unpicking where Mabel's Grandmother had been languishing for nearly half a century in an asylum at the behest of her profligate husband. While it was lovely to see Lillias's story get some closure and a happy ending of her own, the nature of 1920s law regarding husband and wife limits the accountability that can be extracted from her vile spouse.
I particularly enjoyed Mabel's encounter with a proponent of the dadaist movement as reminder that it wasn't just poppies that grew out of the bloodied soil of the first world war. As with the second world war, the immediate aftermath of conflict was a collective desire to build something new and better than what had preceded the rubble. In Glasgow, as also in Weimar Germany, the 1920s were also an exciting period of challenging old assumptions, braving new freedoms and suggesting humanity might be a broader congregation than conservative thinkers would have us believe.
Back then, of course, Mabel sees that against a backdrop of reactionary resistance and ridicule, much as we too see the social progress of the early 2000s being attacked even now. In the interwar years the forces of conservatism were able to strike back hardest against social progress in the chaos of the wall street crash and the great depression that those same conservative forces did so much to fuel. Similarly in our time a level of toxic inequality generated and extended through the wealth and influence accrued by the 1% is generating precisely that insecurity and fear that brings populist demagogues to power.
Which means it would be interesting to see how Mabel and her new friends pursue the careers that Moore has so intriguingly left open for them through those interwar years. With the quick pace given by its relatively short chapters and sharp viewpoint changes The Devil's Draper is a charming insight into the lives of women in an era that should be very different to our own, but which still has some alarming parallels.
April 15, 2025
The story:
It is 1920, and Miss Mabel Adair is determined to make her mark as one of Glasgow’s only female police officers. When a report is brought to her about attacks on young girls working at Arrol’s department store, she fears it will be another case of a rich man’s word over his victims. But with help from some unlikely sources, including a young thief and a determined local businesswoman, she may just have the team she needs to seek justice…
My thoughts:
Having very much enjoyed "The Unpicking" by Donna Moore in 2023, I was delighted to hear that she had decided to continue the story of some of it's characers in "The Devil's Draper".
Whereas “The Unpicking” was divided across three timelines and three generations of women, this story takes place fully in 1920, continuing the story of young policewoman Mabel Adair. I loved Mabel’s story in the last book (I love a murder mystery!), so it was great to see her next chapter. Things aren’t easy for her though, despite successfully unravelling the mystery of her mother’s murder the previous year. In fact, if anything, it has made her less popular among her male colleagues, especially her boss Superintendent Orr…
We also meet two new characters; Beatrice, owner of an employment agency for women, and Johnnie, a young thief in Glasgow gang the St Thenue’s Avengers. It is Beatrice who brings the report of abuse at Arrol’s department store to Mabel, and Johnnie has her own concerns, with young girls from the Avengers mysteriously vanishing from the store. Between them, these three women, although mistrusting of each other at first, make a determined team, and they’re not afraid to throw themselves in harms way to try and bring those responsible to justice.
Once again, author Donna Moore has brought 1920s Glasgow to life with a cast of strong female characters, and with the book’s short point-of-view chapters I couldn’t stop turning the pages! This is a great read for fans of historical crime fiction, whether you’ve read the first book or not, and with any luck this isn’t the last we see of these characters!
It is 1920, and Miss Mabel Adair is determined to make her mark as one of Glasgow’s only female police officers. When a report is brought to her about attacks on young girls working at Arrol’s department store, she fears it will be another case of a rich man’s word over his victims. But with help from some unlikely sources, including a young thief and a determined local businesswoman, she may just have the team she needs to seek justice…
My thoughts:
Having very much enjoyed "The Unpicking" by Donna Moore in 2023, I was delighted to hear that she had decided to continue the story of some of it's characers in "The Devil's Draper".
Whereas “The Unpicking” was divided across three timelines and three generations of women, this story takes place fully in 1920, continuing the story of young policewoman Mabel Adair. I loved Mabel’s story in the last book (I love a murder mystery!), so it was great to see her next chapter. Things aren’t easy for her though, despite successfully unravelling the mystery of her mother’s murder the previous year. In fact, if anything, it has made her less popular among her male colleagues, especially her boss Superintendent Orr…
We also meet two new characters; Beatrice, owner of an employment agency for women, and Johnnie, a young thief in Glasgow gang the St Thenue’s Avengers. It is Beatrice who brings the report of abuse at Arrol’s department store to Mabel, and Johnnie has her own concerns, with young girls from the Avengers mysteriously vanishing from the store. Between them, these three women, although mistrusting of each other at first, make a determined team, and they’re not afraid to throw themselves in harms way to try and bring those responsible to justice.
Once again, author Donna Moore has brought 1920s Glasgow to life with a cast of strong female characters, and with the book’s short point-of-view chapters I couldn’t stop turning the pages! This is a great read for fans of historical crime fiction, whether you’ve read the first book or not, and with any luck this isn’t the last we see of these characters!
May 7, 2025
Back in September 2023 I read and reviewed Donna Moore's The Unpicking and loved it. It went on to be one of my top books of that year. The author says in her notes that she didn't intend to write a sequel to The Unpicking, but she has, and I am so happy that she did. It's another beautifully written story packed to the rafters with superbly crafted, strong female characters. It is an absolute joy to read.
Whilst this is most certainly a sequel, it is also a strong stand alone novel and readers that are not familiar with the earlier book will not struggle at all. This talented author explains, but doesn't add tedious detail, it's cleverly done.
It's 1920 and the setting is once again, the great city of Glasgow. Mabel is one of only two policewomen in Glasgow. She is treated as a 'statement taker' by her male boss, yet she's probably far more astute than most of the male officers in the force. There are a couple of male officers that treat her with respect, but on the whole she's treated with contempt and pushed into a corner.
Mabel becomes aware of rumours of mistreatment of female workers at Arrol's, a local large department store. The owner is a well respected man in the community and getting anyone to believe the word of a lowly shop girl over a business owner is difficult. However, Mabel is determined to get to the bottom of this.
Enter Johnnie and Beatrice; two new characters. Johnnie is a member of a shop lifting gang and Beatrice runs her own business. Between them, these three women will investigate and expose the truth.
This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, it exposes the treatment of women in the 1920s and it is interesting to make comparisons to life now, a hundred years later. The plot flows effortlessly, the characters are beautifully formed and the setting is sublime. Highly recommended by me.
Whilst this is most certainly a sequel, it is also a strong stand alone novel and readers that are not familiar with the earlier book will not struggle at all. This talented author explains, but doesn't add tedious detail, it's cleverly done.
It's 1920 and the setting is once again, the great city of Glasgow. Mabel is one of only two policewomen in Glasgow. She is treated as a 'statement taker' by her male boss, yet she's probably far more astute than most of the male officers in the force. There are a couple of male officers that treat her with respect, but on the whole she's treated with contempt and pushed into a corner.
Mabel becomes aware of rumours of mistreatment of female workers at Arrol's, a local large department store. The owner is a well respected man in the community and getting anyone to believe the word of a lowly shop girl over a business owner is difficult. However, Mabel is determined to get to the bottom of this.
Enter Johnnie and Beatrice; two new characters. Johnnie is a member of a shop lifting gang and Beatrice runs her own business. Between them, these three women will investigate and expose the truth.
This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, it exposes the treatment of women in the 1920s and it is interesting to make comparisons to life now, a hundred years later. The plot flows effortlessly, the characters are beautifully formed and the setting is sublime. Highly recommended by me.
May 2, 2025
After reading The Unpicking in 2023 I was delighted to be given the opportunity of reading this second book in the series which takes us into the heart of Glasgow and to a department store which is abusing its female employees.
The 1920s was very much a period of social change particularly in the aftermath of The Great War when women were pretty much sidelined in favour of men especially in the work place and even Mabel Adair in her role as a policewoman is very much relegated to a minor role, so when an opportunity presents itself to get to the bottom of what is going on at Arrol’s department store in Glasgow Mabel is determined to do her very best. With the help of a skilful thief and a methodical business woman they start to uncover a web of deceit and violence against vulnerable women and are determined to bring the perpetrator to face justice.
Beautifully written, the story flows well and I was soon caught up with the intrigue and immersed in the Glasgow scene of the 1920s. I enjoyed meeting up again with some of the characters from The Unpicking and thought that Beatrice and Johnnie were worthy additions to this story about strong women doing what they can to fight for those women who are all too easy prey for unscrupulous individuals.
March 31, 2025
I absolutely loved The Unpicking, so was overjoyed when I learned that there was a sequel and The Devil's Draper did not disappoint. It is set in 1920 and continues to follow Mabel, who is one of only two female police officers in maybe the whole of Scotland. Well, to her boss, she's a "statement taker" but I think it's clear that Mabel does more to uphold the law than her boss does.
I love female characters who defy societal norms and The Devil's Draper is full of them. When a number of women report violence at the hands of a man, but are too scared to name him, Mabel gathers her troops and together they vie to bring him down. They'll have a fight on their hands but doing the right thing is always going to be worth it.
The Devil's Draper is brilliantly written and, though it does involve some dark themes, it will also make you smile. Mabel is a wonderful character, I just love her! I read this straight after reading The Eights by Joanna Miller and now feel books that promote female empowerment deserve their own genre.
Another 5 star read - I do hope there's more to come!
I love female characters who defy societal norms and The Devil's Draper is full of them. When a number of women report violence at the hands of a man, but are too scared to name him, Mabel gathers her troops and together they vie to bring him down. They'll have a fight on their hands but doing the right thing is always going to be worth it.
The Devil's Draper is brilliantly written and, though it does involve some dark themes, it will also make you smile. Mabel is a wonderful character, I just love her! I read this straight after reading The Eights by Joanna Miller and now feel books that promote female empowerment deserve their own genre.
Another 5 star read - I do hope there's more to come!
June 10, 2025
Picking up from where the Unpicking ends, the Devil's Draper follows police woman Mabel as she continues in her efforts to be accepted in her profession by colleagues and members of the public alike.
Written within the climate of the time, where a woman's word still isn't as powerful as that of a man's, we follow Mabel as she tries to assist in investigating what's happening to young women in the drapery department of Arrol's, one of Glasgow's department stores.
Involving unlikely alliances, Mabel also develops closer relations with previous friends and acquaintances from the Unpicking as well being reunited with one of her only living blood relatives.
Loved being able to get another chance to enter Mabel's world and so hope the Donna looks to offer some more in what could be a great series.
Written within the climate of the time, where a woman's word still isn't as powerful as that of a man's, we follow Mabel as she tries to assist in investigating what's happening to young women in the drapery department of Arrol's, one of Glasgow's department stores.
Involving unlikely alliances, Mabel also develops closer relations with previous friends and acquaintances from the Unpicking as well being reunited with one of her only living blood relatives.
Loved being able to get another chance to enter Mabel's world and so hope the Donna looks to offer some more in what could be a great series.
May 24, 2025
I saw this book come up a few times on my suggested reading list. I'd start by saying that I had no idea that the main character was from a previous book written by the author, which I found out after finishing the book and the recommendation for the other book came up; but what did I think about this book .... I felt it was average, not a heavy read. The storyline was OK, but I didn't really like the authors writing style. This isn't a book I'd return to, and I regret to say that I won't be looking to read the previous author's book either.
However, saying all this, lots of reviews from other readers say they liked it, so I'd say if it appeals from the write up, then give it a go ... I did.
However, saying all this, lots of reviews from other readers say they liked it, so I'd say if it appeals from the write up, then give it a go ... I did.
May 23, 2025
I loved this book. It transported me back to 1920s Glasgow and I could easily picture the characters and scenes.
It was good to see 3 strong women coming together to show everyone that there was a place for them and that they would be heard.
I didn't realise this was a sequel when I read it so I'm heading off to read The Unpicking next.
It was good to see 3 strong women coming together to show everyone that there was a place for them and that they would be heard.
I didn't realise this was a sequel when I read it so I'm heading off to read The Unpicking next.
May 25, 2025
It was okish. Some funny parts but most of the time it just feels like an anti-male read. All the characters are females, seems a bit one dimensional and kept thinking the author must have daddy issues or ex boyfriend issues. Either way it all gets a bit monotonous by the end. Wouldn't recommend.
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