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Ring of Roses
Intensely powerful novel set in London during the height of the Plague in the 1600s. Abby is delighted to be appointed to the position of nursemaid in the well-to-do Beauchurch household. But it's the summer of 1665, and soon whispers are spreading through London that the Plague is returning. Can Abby keep herself and her small charge Grace safe, or will the disaster engulf them? A companion piece to Mary Hooper's bestselling 'At the Sign of the Sugared Plum'. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+
82 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2014
3 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hooper
159 books289 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 2, 2015
I'd have liked to have given this 3.5 stars, as I did like it, but it's just too short! I know it's written for children, but I did feel that even so it was a bit too dumbed down.
December 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐
A great quick read set in London 1665 (The Plague)
Well written and insightful.
A little simple in parts and wish it were a little longer.
A great quick read set in London 1665 (The Plague)
Well written and insightful.
A little simple in parts and wish it were a little longer.
October 27, 2015
In 1665 a young girl is employed as a nursemaid to a wealthy London based family, everything goes well until the plague strikes.
The story was quite simple and the writing was straight forward but the end was very effective.
The story was quite simple and the writing was straight forward but the end was very effective.
June 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.4
Ring of Roses broke me in ways I wasn’t fully prepared for.
This book had me sobbing—not just a tear here and there, but actual, full-on emotional devastation. Mary Hooper writes with such care and sensitivity that you can feel the weight of every moment, every choice, every slow step toward the ending… which I knew was coming, but still hit like a train.
I can’t say I enjoyed the ending—it hurt, deeply—and even though I understand why it happened the way it did, I hated it. That’s not necessarily a flaw in the book, but it definitely colored my experience. I finished it feeling raw and unsettled, I cried to my best friend over discord call for 4 HOURS which I suspect was the point.
That said, it’s a good novella. The writing is strong, the historical detail is vivid without being heavy-handed, and the emotional beats land with precision. But this is not a light read. It lingers. It aches. And even now, I’m not entirely okay.
If you're looking for something powerful and painful, with a beautifully told story that doesn't flinch from hard truths—Ring of Roses might be for you. Just… brace yourself.
Ring of Roses broke me in ways I wasn’t fully prepared for.
This book had me sobbing—not just a tear here and there, but actual, full-on emotional devastation. Mary Hooper writes with such care and sensitivity that you can feel the weight of every moment, every choice, every slow step toward the ending… which I knew was coming, but still hit like a train.
I can’t say I enjoyed the ending—it hurt, deeply—and even though I understand why it happened the way it did, I hated it. That’s not necessarily a flaw in the book, but it definitely colored my experience. I finished it feeling raw and unsettled, I cried to my best friend over discord call for 4 HOURS which I suspect was the point.
That said, it’s a good novella. The writing is strong, the historical detail is vivid without being heavy-handed, and the emotional beats land with precision. But this is not a light read. It lingers. It aches. And even now, I’m not entirely okay.
If you're looking for something powerful and painful, with a beautifully told story that doesn't flinch from hard truths—Ring of Roses might be for you. Just… brace yourself.
December 29, 2024
Summary:
Abby is very delighted with her new job as a nursemaid to baby Grace in the Belle Vue household. However, it is the summer of 1665 & the Plague is spreading like wildfire throughout London. Can Abby keep herself & baby Grace safe, or will the disaster engulf them?
My Thoughts:
This is a short & powerful story set in London during the height of the Great Plague in the 1660’s which killed around 100,000 people. I thought Hooper researched this era very well. I could feel Abby’s uncertainty & saw the horrors through her eyes. Ring of Roses is a brilliant book which is also dyslexia friendly.
My Rating: * * * *
Abby is very delighted with her new job as a nursemaid to baby Grace in the Belle Vue household. However, it is the summer of 1665 & the Plague is spreading like wildfire throughout London. Can Abby keep herself & baby Grace safe, or will the disaster engulf them?
My Thoughts:
This is a short & powerful story set in London during the height of the Great Plague in the 1660’s which killed around 100,000 people. I thought Hooper researched this era very well. I could feel Abby’s uncertainty & saw the horrors through her eyes. Ring of Roses is a brilliant book which is also dyslexia friendly.
My Rating: * * * *
June 11, 2019
2.5 stars
It was an interesting story about an illness and a time that I know almost nothing about. The book is also informative since the remedies and the circumstances in the short-story are based on real facts.
The thing about the book that was disappointing was the story. Nothing really happens which makes it kind of boring. Especially since the writing also is very simplistic. Despite that I would be open to the idea of reading other stories from the same author.
It was an interesting story about an illness and a time that I know almost nothing about. The book is also informative since the remedies and the circumstances in the short-story are based on real facts.
The thing about the book that was disappointing was the story. Nothing really happens which makes it kind of boring. Especially since the writing also is very simplistic. Despite that I would be open to the idea of reading other stories from the same author.
December 22, 2020
I bought this years ago in a charity shop not realising it was part of a series. I feel like if you didn’t read the first book in the series, this would feel like a whistle stop tour of the plague. However, it’s a nice accompaniment for the first book as it’s links up nicely without repeating events and dialogue too much. Can’t wait to buy and read the next book!!
July 25, 2017
In really enjoyed this. It was an interesting (and a little scary) historical read. I had read the first book (I think it's called sign of the sugared plum) so I knew what was going to happen, but for the length it had just enough detail for it to be engaging and realistic
December 10, 2017
A really powerful novel and re telling of at the sign of the sugared plum, from Abby's point of view. It conveys powerful emotion and also the difficulties of living in the time of the plague.
January 25, 2018
Dyx-f, ages 11-15, creepy
August 29, 2019
This book was written so well . It was so emotional and you could feel the character feelings and how they felt.
October 18, 2022
Interesting to read what happened to a side character of 'At the Sign of the Sugared Plum'. Quite sad though.
June 4, 2024
Easy read. Not as good as At the Sign of the Sugared Plum.
September 27, 2025
reread so already knew she was gonna die..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2020
This was a really well-written story. I had not realised that it was a companion to the book At The Sign of the Sugared Plum. It takes a look at the situation from the perspective of one to the characters in the first book and although I have read both I still enjoyed it.
Abby is the main character in this story and she is taken on as a nursemaid to Grace the baby daughter of a rich family in London in the year of 1665. Grace's mother is still in bed after the birth of her baby but she is very ill and she makes Abby promise to care for Grace as if she were her own and Abby makes a solemn promise. Abby loves the baby, she has had a lot of experience caring for her siblings in the village where she grew up and moving to London is a real adventure for her, then the worst thing imaginable happens, the plague comes back to haunt the citizens of London. How will Abby manage to keep the baby safe as people are dying all around her?
A very touching story, very good for teaching younger readers about the history of the 17th century and also written to be dyslexia-friendly.
Abby is the main character in this story and she is taken on as a nursemaid to Grace the baby daughter of a rich family in London in the year of 1665. Grace's mother is still in bed after the birth of her baby but she is very ill and she makes Abby promise to care for Grace as if she were her own and Abby makes a solemn promise. Abby loves the baby, she has had a lot of experience caring for her siblings in the village where she grew up and moving to London is a real adventure for her, then the worst thing imaginable happens, the plague comes back to haunt the citizens of London. How will Abby manage to keep the baby safe as people are dying all around her?
A very touching story, very good for teaching younger readers about the history of the 17th century and also written to be dyslexia-friendly.
May 9, 2017
I liked the insight into london during the great plague. Looking forward to reading Mary's other books set in the same time period now
January 26, 2021
Ring of Roses is a book by Mary Hooper which accompanies the brilliant book: At the Sign of the Sugared Plum but it is not a sequel to that book. I believe Petals in the Ashes is the sequel to At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. Ring of Roses is based on Abby, the best friend of the protagonist of At the Sign of the Sugared Plum.
I really enjoyed reading this book, just as I enjoyed At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, and I am currently waiting for Petals in the Ashes to arrive!
Abby is a servant for a wealthy family who live in London, and it is her job to look after the precious, and only, child of Mr and Mrs Beauchurch, who Abby adores. However, the plague has broken out in London and Mary Hooper vividly describes all five senses throughout.
Mary Hooper, as she does with all of her books, is straight to the point, which I love, and is written in a very intriguing way. Although, it is straight to the point, the setting and characters are detailed. You find yourself really engaging and relating to the characters, despite the 17th century lifestyle being so different to the 21st century. I read this book, and At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, with very little knowledge of the plague and 17th century London, but now I feel as if I know all about it!
I really enjoyed reading this book, just as I enjoyed At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, and I am currently waiting for Petals in the Ashes to arrive!
Abby is a servant for a wealthy family who live in London, and it is her job to look after the precious, and only, child of Mr and Mrs Beauchurch, who Abby adores. However, the plague has broken out in London and Mary Hooper vividly describes all five senses throughout.
Mary Hooper, as she does with all of her books, is straight to the point, which I love, and is written in a very intriguing way. Although, it is straight to the point, the setting and characters are detailed. You find yourself really engaging and relating to the characters, despite the 17th century lifestyle being so different to the 21st century. I read this book, and At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, with very little knowledge of the plague and 17th century London, but now I feel as if I know all about it!
August 27, 2014
Really interesting read. I'm really loving these snippets of historical fiction in some of the Barrington Stoke books I'm reading lately. I love how that historical detail is present but doesn't weigh down or overtake the story. I didn't realise until the end of this book that Ring of Roses is a companion novella to two other books by Mary Hooper that centre around this same time period (1665 in London during the time of the Plague) and I'm now quite excited to pick those books up as well!
November 18, 2014
Some of you might not know but I love books set from 1900 to 1940's when people struggled though many heartaches but still showed courage.
Ring of Roses was such a powerful story of love and bravely. Of a young girl who cared for someone other than herself, for a baby, defeneless and relaying on this young girl to take care of her.
Mary Hooper dipciated the Plague in a sensitive, powerful and true way.
Ring of Roses was such a powerful story of love and bravely. Of a young girl who cared for someone other than herself, for a baby, defeneless and relaying on this young girl to take care of her.
Mary Hooper dipciated the Plague in a sensitive, powerful and true way.
August 24, 2016
A short but effective story about the horrors of the Plague. I'm a real sucker for historical fiction and picked it up because I thought the title referenced the nursery rhyme. As it turns out, Mary Hooper is far cleverer than that.
For me this book was the right length, had just enough historical facts so that the very human side to it all was not missed and was overall an enjoyable read.
For me this book was the right length, had just enough historical facts so that the very human side to it all was not missed and was overall an enjoyable read.
November 25, 2021
Upon finding this book I thought the description sounded really unique in tackling an interesting time period whilst introducing some darker themes. But unfortunately I thought this book was very forgettable and quite boring, although it was interesting to see the parallels with the covid pandemic.
October 28, 2015
Great 'quick read' for reluctant readers etc.
September 1, 2016
A sad story, but I do wish it had been longer.
January 11, 2017
I love this series so much and I loved seeing everything from Abby's point of view as heartbreaking as it was.
August 24, 2022
Short book but I loved it so much
August 6, 2016
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews