Hidden Family Secrets

by Evelyn Hood

THE QUEEN OF SCOTTISH SAGAS ⭐️ Book one in a sweeping, heartbreaking series of love, loyalty and long-buried secrets from Sunday Times bestselling author Evelyn Hood! Must-read for fans of Catherine Cookson, Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Donna Douglas 📚 Can a long-kept secret ruin the future happiness of two families? Welcome to Paisley, Scotland 1745 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Meg and Duncan Montgomery move to the flourishing Scottish town of Paisley to find work in the thriving weaving industry. Soon, Meg is expecting their first child, Margaret.

To make ends meet, they live in Peter Todd’s household, Duncan’s employer and Meg’s days are filled with domestic duties. But soon Meg and Duncan find themselves caught up in the intricate lives of the Todd family and when a tragic accident causes further conflict, a decision is made to keep a terrible secret from Meg.

As Margaret grows older, she despairs of the town’s inequality and becomes an advocate for the poor. While her philanthropic ideals are tolerated, even accepted by her understanding parents, Margaret’s affection for her childhood friend William Todd is greeted with disapproval.

But Margaret wants more from life than marriage and is overjoyed when she is taken on as a teacher at the local hospital.

As a dark secret from the past looms over the lives of both families,threatening to tear apart their futures, the younger Todds and Montgomery’s must decide between following in their parents’ footsteps or forging their own paths

The start of The Paisley Women saga series from Evelyn Hood, the original bestselling Scottish saga writer. Previously published in paperback as The Silken Thread

PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD

'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke
'If you like Catherine Cookson, you’ll love Evelyn Hood’s books.’ - Lizzie Lane
‘Evelyn Hood’s characters step off the page and into your heart.’ - Sheila Riley
‘This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.’ - Jane Lark
''Loved the strong, relatable characters. A lively, refreshing read.' - Kate Eastham
'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
‘Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood’ – Renita D’Silva
'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine
‘Hood is immaculate in her historical detail’ - Scottish Herald
'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair
'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Pen name is Louise James, Eve Houston.

Reviews

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of a brand new Scottish historical saga, The Paisley Women. Set in the early 18th century in Paisley, Scotland. I was looking forward to reading this. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. I also don't know too much about Scottish life around this time.

We meet the Montgomery's, Meg, and Duncan. They move to Paisley due to the weaving industry booming. They live in Duncan's employers' house, the Todds. As they get used to their daily work, Meg and Duncan become involved in the Todd's lives. When a tragic accident makes for more conflict, it is decided that they will keep it a secret from Meg.

Margaret, their daughter, grows up and gets a job at the local hospital. She is overjoyed because she doesn't just want to be married. What she doesn't know is that there is something dark looming over the Montgomery's and the Todd's. A secret that has the power to rip the younger members of both families lives apart. Will they go their own ways or do as their elders did?

I read a lot of Catherine Cookson in my younger years. This book reminded me a lot of those books. By the time I had read a chapter or two, I was drawn in hook,line, and sinker. I cared for these characters and their way of life. Evelyn Hood has written a saga with heart. I felt so connected to the characters, especially Margaret. She has inner strength, which shows in her willingness to help the poor and go against society's norms and work.

The way that it has been written gave me that feeling like I was alongside the characters, experiencing their way of life. It's an immersive story and one I truly loved reading. I was so interested in what would happen, and I definitely need the next book! A series I know I will find addictive reading!

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this emotional new historical fiction novel from Evelyn Hood, readers follow Meg and Duncan Montgomery as they move to Paisley to work in the weaving industry and, eventually, expand their family. Working and living in Duncan’s employer’s home, the Montgomeries find themselves caught up in the drama of the Todd family, including a tragic accident that will define their lives. As their daughter Margaret grows up and starts to think for herself, some things, such as a romance with her childhood friend, are cut short, because a dark secret has been kept from Meg and Margaret and is finally resurfacing. As always, the characters are detailed and well-written, and the various relationships and conflicts between characters add a lot of drama and intensity to the story. The historical setting and details really bring the larger narrative to life and are a fantastic backdrop for the Montgomery family’s lives, dreams, and challenges, and readers will really enjoy immersing themselves in the world that Evelyn Hood brings to life in such fantastic detail. Charming, emotional, and complicated, historical fiction fans will love this new book from Evelyn Hood and the many complex characters that populate its pages and the town of Paisley.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good historical saga then this is definitely a must read for you. Following life in Paisley, Scotland in 1745 it starts with the introduction of newlyweds Duncan and Meg Montgomery. They have relocated to Paisley to find work in what is becoming a thriving weaving industry. It doesn’t take long for them to become part of the community and to become involved in the lives and loves of the Todd family. As the story progresses we follow how the residents lives develop bringing joy and heartbreak in equal measure. There is however one big secret that is in danger of being revealed not just once but many times. Brilliantly described characters and a real sense of what life was like. The way the story flows draws you in from the start.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was quickly drawn into this story and I became involved in the many characters lives. There are two families and they are both hiding secrets. There is drama that could rip their lives apart. I loved being in this story every minute held my interest. The headstrong and fiesty Margaret was my favourite character because I never knew how she was going to react. It's a unforgettable tale that takes you on a journey of discovery and it has ended in a way that I don't know what will happen next but I am eager to find out because I feel like the characters are my family.