The Mudlarkers’ Club

by Jane Riley

Five mudlarkers. One community. Countless unexpected discoveries! 'I was so heavily invested, I was distraught when it came to an end!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The day Adam leaves her, Gemma takes her heightened emotions, her now-ex-mother-in-law’s hot pink wellies, and a pair of yellow Marigold gloves down to the River Thames. She thinks finding historical objects in the hotchpotch of pebbles, rocks and mud is the only way to distract from her heartbreak. Until she meets an eclectic group of people who love to do the same thing.

As the mudlarkers begin to open up to each other, Gemma realises that they are not just bonding over the wonders of the past, because what’s in the present might be more important. And perhaps friendship is not the only treasure to be found on the banks of the river…

Praise for The Mudlarkers' Club 🪏💂🌻 'A warm and uplifting read, packed with loveable characters you can’t help but root for’ Kate Storey

'An emotional and uplifting story, following a delightful group of characters – the Mudlarkers – as they search the riverbed for forgotten treasures, making new friends and changing their lives along the way. You won’t look at the Thames in the same way again’ Elissa Soave

‘[Riley] gives us this feel-good foray into the “treasures” buried on the banks of the River Thames’ The Sunday Post

'I loved this read. it made me feel so much better about planet earth right now.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Emotional, authentic storytelling, I was hooked 'til the end!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I had heard of mudlarking but this book really brought it to life … There is a lovely community feel to the story.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I really enjoyed it … an uplifting read.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audible Audio

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer (Jaye) (trying to catch up, so behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A Shared Passion*

“A mudlarker is someone who scavenges the muddy banks of tidal rivers like the River Thames in London to find lost artefacts, antiques and valuable items. Initially a desperate survival tactic for destitute Victorians, mudlarking has evolved into a highly regulated and popular historical hobby. However, it requires a permit and checking the weather, especially tide times, is crucial.

This was an unexpectedly interesting story. While mudlarking itself didn’t particularly appeal to me, it revealed a compelling human story.

We meet Gemma, she has been married for six years when her husband Adam drops a bombshell, telling her he’s leaving. Gemma, an oncology nurse, enjoys mudlarking in her spare time. This hobby was always frowned upon by Adam. While many mudlarkers like Gemma do it alone she meets a fellow mudlarker and eventually form a small group.

Each member of the group is facing their own struggles, but as they get to know each other, they realise that beyond mudlarking, they’ve found the friendship they never knew they needed.

The story is interspersed with their finds, offering a glimpse into both the positive and negative aspects of mudlarking. I particularly enjoyed how they celebrated each other’s successes. Plus the possibility of romance but that does not become the focus of the story.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn about this book. It's a nice enough story, but the marketing comparison to Clare Pooley falls completely flat. The characters were pleasant, but nothing really happens, and the things that do happen, happen TO Gemma. I listened to the audiobook until the end because it's cozy and I needed a cozy read, but if you're actually looking for a story--a plot--you won't find it here, I'm afraid. There's no tension. There are interesting subplots, but they all take place off-page, and I suspect that's why I found this book so lacking. We're told about stuff; we don't experience it. And the narrator keeps her voice so steady, she makes even the one moment with significant stakes toward the end sound uneventful. This was a clear miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsey Pope · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her husband leaves her, Gemma finds solace in her hobby of mudlarking on the banks of the Thames. Usually a solo pursuit she finds some like minded individuals along the banks of the river and with her new friends they create the Mudlarker’s club.
While I enjoyed the story and found it easy to listen to it wasn’t one I’d listen to again. A simple nice cozy story with some likeable characters.
The narrator did seem quite monotone which was a shame although I enjoyed her different voices and accents.
I did have issues with the production. You can clearly hear when corrections have been edited in because the sound levels are different. I’m hoping this is due to me having an audio arc and not in the final version.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.