What do you think?
Rate this book
Tatty Crowe #2
Black Silk and Buried Secrets
The second captivating novel featuring intrepid heroine Tatty Crowe and the fascinating world of Sydney's Victorian funeral business, from bestselling historical fiction author Deborah Challinor.
Sydney, 1871. Twenty-five-year-old widow Tatty Crowe is the owner of busy undertaking firm Crowe Funerals. Life and business are good until Tatty notices how many women are dying after illicit abortions and after a terrible tragedy close to home, she vows to expose the culprit.
And then there are the dead babies abandoned around the city. Once again Tatty sets out to investigate the crisis and finds herself immersed in the dark and heartless world of baby farming. Along the way she encounters an old foe, and clashes with a new adversary who, it transpires, is far more dangerous.
From the grim slums of Chippendale and Newtown to the grand houses of Woolloomooloo to Sydney's rowdy Criminal Court, comes the next chapter in the story of compassionate and clever - but headstrong - Tatty Crowe.
Praise for Black Silk and Sympathy:
'In this expertly crafted novel, Challinor delivers a captivating tale of resilience, reinvention and determination ... [with] a thrilling twist' Books+Publishing
Sydney, 1871. Twenty-five-year-old widow Tatty Crowe is the owner of busy undertaking firm Crowe Funerals. Life and business are good until Tatty notices how many women are dying after illicit abortions and after a terrible tragedy close to home, she vows to expose the culprit.
And then there are the dead babies abandoned around the city. Once again Tatty sets out to investigate the crisis and finds herself immersed in the dark and heartless world of baby farming. Along the way she encounters an old foe, and clashes with a new adversary who, it transpires, is far more dangerous.
From the grim slums of Chippendale and Newtown to the grand houses of Woolloomooloo to Sydney's rowdy Criminal Court, comes the next chapter in the story of compassionate and clever - but headstrong - Tatty Crowe.
Praise for Black Silk and Sympathy:
'In this expertly crafted novel, Challinor delivers a captivating tale of resilience, reinvention and determination ... [with] a thrilling twist' Books+Publishing
- GenresHistorical Fiction
331 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2025
23 people are currently reading
189 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 12, 2025
It was Sydney, 1871, and the owner of Crowe Funerals, Tatty Crowe, was frustrated and angry about the number of tiny babies bodies appearing on the doorstep of the funeral parlour. It also appeared a so called doctor was performing illegal abortions, and many of the young women were dying. When someone close to home became a victim, Tatty decided to act. She would oust the abortionist, as well as the baby farmers - but she would need evidence; proof before she could involve the police. Could she do it? And would she involve any of her staff in what was happening?
Black Silk and Buried Secrets is the 2nd in the Tatty Crowe series by Aussie/New Zealand author Deborah Challinor and I loved it!! An excellent follow on from Black Silk and Sympathy with Tatty being her usual strong, determined, stubborn but caring and compassionate self. Righting the wrongs of the world - or at least Sydney - in the 1870s was a challenge in itself, but Tatty was resolved to do what she knew was right. Putting herself into danger wasn't something she thought too much about! I also loved catching up with Friday Wolfe - of the Convict Girls series - and her companions once again. Highly recommended.
Black Silk and Buried Secrets is the 2nd in the Tatty Crowe series by Aussie/New Zealand author Deborah Challinor and I loved it!! An excellent follow on from Black Silk and Sympathy with Tatty being her usual strong, determined, stubborn but caring and compassionate self. Righting the wrongs of the world - or at least Sydney - in the 1870s was a challenge in itself, but Tatty was resolved to do what she knew was right. Putting herself into danger wasn't something she thought too much about! I also loved catching up with Friday Wolfe - of the Convict Girls series - and her companions once again. Highly recommended.
May 24, 2025
This is the second book in the Tatty Crowe series and it’s every bit as intriguing and fascinating as book one.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes with undertakers then this story set in the 1870’s in Sydney at Tatty Crowe’s Undertaking business will more than satisfy your curiosity!
Book one introduces Tatty Crowe as a very determined woman and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to fighting injustices, and indeed her very own independence.
She has since become quite an accomplished undertaker in her own right, offering the best of the best to the wealthiest, whilst always making exceptions to accommodate the poor, or less advantaged. Her reputation as an Undertaker in Sydney is highly regarded and her business is doing extremely well, sometimes making her a target for vengeful behavior in some quarters.
She is well regarded for her sensitive and compassionate approach to her work, often waving the cost of a funeral for babies that had, for example, been left on a doorstep.
When a noticeable increase in the number of unnamed and unclaimed deceased babies was brought to Tatty’s attention, she felt compelled to investigate further.
Backyard abortions and baby farming was becoming a despicable practice in some parts of town offering illicit services to desperate mothers..or mothers to be, and Tatty was adamant that she would find out who was responsible and hold them accountable.
The unusual subject matter only serves to make this series an even more compelling read. Much of the story is built around real events of the time, with all sources and research material provided in the author’s notes at the end.
*Living in Sydney, I found the historical elements of this story fascinating as I know of the places mentioned…cemeteries, churches etc…very well and have visited most in my own research excursions for family history purposes. Stories like these put my own family history stories into a perspective I might never have imagined otherwise…shedding a light of different possibilities and, I think, generating a more tolerant, sensitive approach to my own family history research.
5⭐️s
September 21, 2025
Loved the second book in this series! Now I have to wait until next year for the third book 🥲
In this book Tatty continues to be a strong minded business woman while doing a lot of charity work. I liked the change of focus this book to women’s rights, abortions, baby farming etc.
Another lengthy author’s note at the end further detailing the history of the time & topics.
Keen to read some more of this author’s books while I wait for the next book in this series!
In this book Tatty continues to be a strong minded business woman while doing a lot of charity work. I liked the change of focus this book to women’s rights, abortions, baby farming etc.
Another lengthy author’s note at the end further detailing the history of the time & topics.
Keen to read some more of this author’s books while I wait for the next book in this series!
August 17, 2025
Loved this book, thought it was even better than the first one in the series.
October 29, 2025
Lovely. The writing is vivid and really takes me in the story and back in time.
May 18, 2025
This was such a fascinating historical fiction account of Sydney’s Victorian funeral business set in 1871.
The series centres around Tatty, a strong and independent female undertaker who is as shrewd as she is compassionate. This particular book explores the mystery of why women are passing away after illegal abortions, and the person responsible. Tatty finds herself drawn into the dark world of baby farming.
Although this dealt with some pretty heavy topics and was pretty morbid in parts I was so interested in it all and found Tatty to be an engaging and charismatic character.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction and don’t mind dark topics will find it engaging.
Thank you to Harper Collins for my review copy!
Triggers - pregnancy terminations, mental health.
The series centres around Tatty, a strong and independent female undertaker who is as shrewd as she is compassionate. This particular book explores the mystery of why women are passing away after illegal abortions, and the person responsible. Tatty finds herself drawn into the dark world of baby farming.
Although this dealt with some pretty heavy topics and was pretty morbid in parts I was so interested in it all and found Tatty to be an engaging and charismatic character.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction and don’t mind dark topics will find it engaging.
Thank you to Harper Collins for my review copy!
Triggers - pregnancy terminations, mental health.
April 10, 2025
The second book in the Tatty Crowe series this book did not disappoint!
Following on from Book 1 we see Tatty a 24 widow continue running her funeral business. Tattys determination to fight for what is right makes her one of the most bad ass characters, the perfect balance of boss babe and justice fighter. I also loved seeing her employees shine in this story.
A bit more gory than the first book (check the trigger warnings) but incredibly well researched and fascinating, I’m now eagerly awaiting book 3!
Thanks to Harper Collins for sending me this book in return for my honest review
Following on from Book 1 we see Tatty a 24 widow continue running her funeral business. Tattys determination to fight for what is right makes her one of the most bad ass characters, the perfect balance of boss babe and justice fighter. I also loved seeing her employees shine in this story.
A bit more gory than the first book (check the trigger warnings) but incredibly well researched and fascinating, I’m now eagerly awaiting book 3!
Thanks to Harper Collins for sending me this book in return for my honest review
May 19, 2025
I am a big fan of Deborah Challinor’s books, and I eagerly awaited the arrival of the next instalment of Tatty Crowe and her undertaking business set in Sydney in the 1870’s.
Tatty is a strong woman, a determined woman, but her determination can get her into trouble. This book focuses in on the advent of baby farmers, and unwanted pregnancies and the choices woman make when finding themselves in this predicament.
A few characters from the first book will make an appearance, but if you have not read the first book, it doesn’t matter, enough back story is given to understand their place in Tatty’s life.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Challinor takes Tatty in the next book. So many possibilities.
A wonderful read.
Tatty is a strong woman, a determined woman, but her determination can get her into trouble. This book focuses in on the advent of baby farmers, and unwanted pregnancies and the choices woman make when finding themselves in this predicament.
A few characters from the first book will make an appearance, but if you have not read the first book, it doesn’t matter, enough back story is given to understand their place in Tatty’s life.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Challinor takes Tatty in the next book. So many possibilities.
A wonderful read.
September 2, 2025
What happens next to Tatty? Well, she is now a double murderess and her undertaking firm in Sydney in 1870s is growing. The theme of this book is unlawful abortions and baby killers - a bit more of a 'lady detective' storyline. There's a simmering romance unfolding and a voyage in NZ is the wind for Tatty#3 which I will read. Again Deborah adds 20 pgs of authors notes - always the Waikato Uni historian.
May 24, 2025
Very much looking forward to the next book in 2026!
December 7, 2025
3.5, enjoyed it but not as much as the first in the series.
July 16, 2025
One of my favorite authors.. and she's a kiwi. Enjoy her stories and their link to our history. this one was good.. if a little predictable but feels a little like it was setting the scene for the next novel too. I'll be interested in what happens in the next book.
March 26, 2025
I received an arc for this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. I was lucky enough that I also received an arc of the first book back when it was about to release.
The first was so good and this second one was just as good. I love Deborah’s writing style, the way she plots and her character development. Tatty is such a strong FMC. I love reading her journey as a female undertaker. I’m so glad we’re getting another book next year. This is one series I would love to go on forever. Definitely recommend picking it up.
The first was so good and this second one was just as good. I love Deborah’s writing style, the way she plots and her character development. Tatty is such a strong FMC. I love reading her journey as a female undertaker. I’m so glad we’re getting another book next year. This is one series I would love to go on forever. Definitely recommend picking it up.
September 1, 2025
I may be overusing a phrase, but this installment of the Lady Undertaker is not for the faint of heart.
Delightfully character-driven with many moments of humour, the second Tatty Crowe book tests readers' constitutions with over-ripe customers and more abhorrent crimes for Tatty to solve.
Some despicable Sydney-siders are exploiting women in their most desperate situations: with-child and no support - resulting in death for the women and sadly many babies.
Author Challinor, a historian, shines a light on 1870s Australia at a time when laws to protect women, and children were sadly lacking.
Delightfully character-driven with many moments of humour, the second Tatty Crowe book tests readers' constitutions with over-ripe customers and more abhorrent crimes for Tatty to solve.
Some despicable Sydney-siders are exploiting women in their most desperate situations: with-child and no support - resulting in death for the women and sadly many babies.
Author Challinor, a historian, shines a light on 1870s Australia at a time when laws to protect women, and children were sadly lacking.
April 13, 2025
Another stunning story!
Another well-written and engrossing story from Deborah Challinor.
The story has been so well researched and written that it feels like you are actually in Sydney in the 1870’s and experiencing what life would have been like. The notes at the end provide more detail on certain aspects of- allowing you to understand even more of the story.
Deborah Challinor has hooked us again with her vibrant and exciting adventures of Tatty and her crew - I’m not sure I can wait another year for the 3rd instalment!
Another well-written and engrossing story from Deborah Challinor.
The story has been so well researched and written that it feels like you are actually in Sydney in the 1870’s and experiencing what life would have been like. The notes at the end provide more detail on certain aspects of- allowing you to understand even more of the story.
Deborah Challinor has hooked us again with her vibrant and exciting adventures of Tatty and her crew - I’m not sure I can wait another year for the 3rd instalment!
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this next installment of the Tatty Crowe series. I love how I feel like I'm learning about history (in this case late 1800s abortion laws and baby farming in Sydney) but still enjoying the plot and characters that go with it. This one did feel a bit odd with part of the story almost repeating and I do sometimes feel that the history drive the plot a bit much but still overall I found this a greay easy read.
April 11, 2025
Having enjoyed the first book in this series, I was delighted to get a copy of this, the second book. It was fabulous. Tatty continues to be brave and courageous, battling the elements in Sydney in the 1870s. This time it is abortion and baby farming that she tackles. The historical detail is great and even better, a third book is coming next year.
April 16, 2025
I really enjoy the books by Deborah Challinor although perhaps not the embalming details in this particular book.
I am looking forward to the next installment as I'd like to see Tattie live happily ever after.
I am looking forward to the next installment as I'd like to see Tattie live happily ever after.
August 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, however not as much as the first one. At times the characters did things that just didn’t make sense, and it felt a little forced. But still really like the setting and characters.
September 14, 2025
Read over 2 days. A great way to learn a bit of history and Deborah Challinor has included an extensive section at the end of the book about actual “baby farmers”.
The characters are well drawn and realistic. The story is told so you don’t want to put it down.
The characters are well drawn and realistic. The story is told so you don’t want to put it down.
April 20, 2025
Loved it. I have been looking forward to this installment of Tatty's story so much so that I couldn't put it down. Now I'm looking forward to see what is install for her in the next book.
May 7, 2025
Loved it, as I love all of Deborah’s books. Her Google search history would also make for interesting reading!
May 10, 2025
Loved this as i have all her previous books
June 8, 2025
Another fantastic read in this series! So good to see there is another book coming in 2026
June 15, 2025
More interesting information about undertaking in the 1870s in Sydney.
June 22, 2025
There is no better author than Deborah Challinor.
November 15, 2025
I am a huge fan of this author! She is a natural born storyteller, who waves such compelling stories around fascinating historical detail. I love the feminist slant and strong female characters.
December 27, 2025
A fantastic sequel to the first book. My Mother who recommended the first in this series to me didn’t enjoy this one as much as they first book, but I think I’m the opposite. Tatty starting to digging deeper and deeper holes for herself due her moral positions on the horrors that aren’t been properly addressed by authorities or society. The story plays more with the not-so-great ways that Tatty choose to fight against not-so-great things, mirroring the murder of her husband in the first book again with the introduction of funding illegal abortion services and digging up gravesites.
Really looking forward to the next book in this series.
- Read paperback version purchased from a bookstore
Really looking forward to the next book in this series.
- Read paperback version purchased from a bookstore
May 3, 2025
This is the second book in the Tatty Crowe series, and for a New Zealander, Challinor really knows how to bring Victorian Sydney to life. In the first book, we meet Crowe, a single female undertaker who runs a successful funeral business in late 19th century Sydney.
In this second book, Crowe sniffs out a dangerous world of untrained abortionists and baby farmers after several dead babies turn up on her doorstep. Inspired by the story of real life baby farmers, the Makins, who were arrested after 13 babies were found buried in many of their inner Sydney backyards, Challinor turns her social lens on the circumstances that allowed this despicable act to occur.
This book shines a light on a world where women were left with few choices if they fell pregnant, turning in desperation to deadly backyard abortionists or unknowingly placing their newborns in the hands of criminals.
As always, Challinor creates a believable world populated with interesting characters and streets that team with life. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for the third instalment.
In this second book, Crowe sniffs out a dangerous world of untrained abortionists and baby farmers after several dead babies turn up on her doorstep. Inspired by the story of real life baby farmers, the Makins, who were arrested after 13 babies were found buried in many of their inner Sydney backyards, Challinor turns her social lens on the circumstances that allowed this despicable act to occur.
This book shines a light on a world where women were left with few choices if they fell pregnant, turning in desperation to deadly backyard abortionists or unknowingly placing their newborns in the hands of criminals.
As always, Challinor creates a believable world populated with interesting characters and streets that team with life. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for the third instalment.
September 7, 2025
Set in Victorian times, we follow Tatty Crowe.
She is 24 years young and she is a widow. She's also an undertaker who owns her own funeral business.
I just love her job choice, I love her tenacious character, I love the side characters, her staff - her found family.
There's more than one mystery in this book, and as Tatty solves one quandary, she quickly embroils herself in the next one, which is just so unique to have a few different tales in one story.
Tatty puts herself in danger in the search for truth and justice. She goes through a lot of heartbreak as well.
I absolutely adored this historical crime fiction. While this is book two in the series, I believe it can be read standalone.
I appreciated the authors note including details on baby farming practices, while devastating it is so intriguing.
I was sent this book by the publisher and all opinions are my own.
She is 24 years young and she is a widow. She's also an undertaker who owns her own funeral business.
I just love her job choice, I love her tenacious character, I love the side characters, her staff - her found family.
There's more than one mystery in this book, and as Tatty solves one quandary, she quickly embroils herself in the next one, which is just so unique to have a few different tales in one story.
Tatty puts herself in danger in the search for truth and justice. She goes through a lot of heartbreak as well.
I absolutely adored this historical crime fiction. While this is book two in the series, I believe it can be read standalone.
I appreciated the authors note including details on baby farming practices, while devastating it is so intriguing.
I was sent this book by the publisher and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews