The Choir

by Carol M. Cram

In a world that wants to silence them, one group of women dares to sing.In the dreary streets of 1890s Briarstown, a fictional Yorkshire mill town, Eliza Kingwell fights to survive in a home filled with hardship. When a devastating loss crushes her plan to escape with her five daughters, she turns to an unlikely a local singing competition. With nothing left to lose, she gathers a feisty group of working-class women to form a choir—and sets her sights on a cash prize that could change her life forever.

Meanwhile, Ruth Henton—once Eliza’s best friend and now a star on the London stage—is disgraced by scandal and must find new purpose and redemption. As fate would have it, Ruth becomes a judge in the very competition Eliza needs to win.

While Eliza’s choir trains for its chance at glory, secrets simmer, friendships deepen, and long-buried wounds surface. In a time and place where women’s voices are too often ignored, The Choir is a triumphant story of music, sisterhood, and reclaiming power.

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Chiaverini, Tracy Chevalier and Pip Williams, The Choir is a stirring, beautifully written novel that celebrates the strength of women who dare to rise—and sing.

Genres: Historical Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Carol M. Cram is the author of five novels including her latest "The Choir", an historical novel set in Yorkshire in the 1809s.

In her beautifully wrought novel, The Choir, set in 1890s England, Carol Cram deftly composes a lyrical portrait of courage, forgiveness, and the redemptive power of music. This story is rich with history and heart, and will remain with you like a favorite song.  (Herb Williams-Dalgart, author of The Jingle Boys and The French Girl's War

Cram has also written a contemporary novel ("Love Among the Recipes" that received a Publishers Weekly starred review and three award-winning historical novels about women in the arts. "The Towers of Tuscany" was published by Lake Union Publishing in 2014. The novel was awarded the Chaucer Award (Chanticleer Reviews) for best historical fiction and Editor's Choice by the Historical Novel Review. "The Towers of Tuscany" tells the story of a woman painter in fourteenth century Italy. "A Woman of Note" was published in 2015 by Lake Union Publishing and was awarded the Goethe Award for Best in Category (Chanticleer Reviews) and Editor's Choice by the Historical Novel Society. The novel is set in Vienna in the 1830s and tells the story of a woman composer. Carol's third novel, "A Muse of Fire" (Kindle Books & New Arcadia Publishing 2018) received a Bronze for Best Historical Fiction from the Independent Publishers Book Awards and the Goethe Award for Best in Category. Set in 1809 in London, the novel delves into the riotous world of early 19th Century theater.

Carol is podcaster and travel blogger. She hosts The Art In Fiction Podcast on which she interviews novelists inspired by the arts. Her travel website Artsy Traveler (www.artsy-traveler.com) features artsy travel experiences throughout Europe, North America and beyond.

Carol has enjoyed a great career as an educator, teaching at Capilano University in North Vancouver for over twenty years and authoring fifty-plus bestselling textbooks on business communications and software applications for Cengage Learning. She holds an MA in Drama from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. She and her husband, painter Gregg Simpson, share a life on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, Canada.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the 1890’s in the fictional East Yorkshire mill town of Briarstown, where we meet Eliza Kingwell. Eliza is married to Reg, who thinks nothing of drinking away his wages and using violence against Eliza in his drunken rages. They have five daughters, and every day is a struggle.

Eliza treasures a letter she received from her granny, telling her to bring her daughters and come live with her in Devon. It’s an impossible dream as there is barely enough money to feed the kids never mind finding the money to travel all the way to Devon.

Life carries on in its usual drab and dreary way, in a violent and loveless marriage, until Eliza hears about a singing competition, with prize money that would enable her to fulfill her dream.

Meanwhile down in London, Eliza’s one time friend, Ruth Henton, with whom she parted on bad terms, has become a star of the stage, renowned for her singing. When they were children, Eliza and Ruth were both admired for their beautiful singing voice, so if Ruth had become successful, why couldn’t Eliza win a singing competition? Well first she has to join a group of like minded local women, and then comes the seemingly impossible job of forming themselves into a choir that’s good enough to compete against the best choirs in the country!

The storyline follows both Eliza and Ruth, and what a journey it is. It’s inspirational to see these women from a small mill town gain confidence, camaraderie and friendship through the transformative power of song. As for Ruth, when a scandal rocks her life, she has to find a way back from the pit of despair. Highly recommended.

*Thank you to Netgalley and HTF Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

1897, Briarstown, Yorkshire. Eliza Kingwell has made a few mistakes and the main one being she married Reg, he’s abusive and controlling and the couple have five daughters and she’s plotting their escape.

A group of local ladies want to form a choir and enter a competition in Whitby, and it’s made up of mothers and working class women. Eliza was a talented singer as a girl and she’s reluctant to join at first, even if she can find a conductor to lead them, they only have five months to practice and Reg hates her doing anything outside of the house and he’s clever in how he uses his fists.

Ruth Henton is a star of the Palladia Theatre in London and Eliza’s childhood friend, she’s famous, beautiful, and wealthy and has caught the eye of the Prince of Wales. When her husband James causes a scandal, Ruth loses everything and the only job she can find is as one of the judges on the music competition circuit.

Eliza’s and the group practice in the church hall, she’s done her best to stay away from her peers in the past and they form a bond and friendship and maybe it will be Eliza’s and her daughter’s way to escape the mill town and Reg.

I received a copy of The Choir by Carol M. Cram from NetGalley and HTF Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review. Based around Mary Wakefield a real lady, who brought music to rural areas such as the fictional town of Briarstown and the rise and popularity of music competitions.

An inspirational and uplifting story, how singing united a group of ladies, it made them feel powerful and heard at a time when women didn’t have many rights, their voices were ignored and the suffragette movement was in it’s infancy.

Five stars from me and I was blown away by this historical fiction gem, I really liked the comparison between the two main characters Eliza and Ruth and I highly recommend.

[Shomeret]

The Choir by Carol M. Cram is a book that I obtained through Book Funnel. I decided to read it because it deals with women who sing even though they aren't supposed to be able to do so. I love to sing!

So this novel deals with British lower class women forming a choir in the 19th century. They aren't expected to have the leisure to sing. The lower class are supposed to be continually struggling to survive. The women in the choir must deal with marriage and family commitments plus long work hours that conflict with their performances.

I am sometimes sentimental. So I'll admit that when there was a positive resolution to a relationship in this novel that had turned romantic, there were tears is my eyes. I hope that readers are also moved by the emotional intensity of certain relationships within the pages of this novel.

For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late 1890s, East Yorkshire

A single sheet of paper-Granny’s letter told Eliza Kingwell to bring herself and her five daughters to Devon (her childhood home) by the sea. Eliza had purposely kept her distance from the other women in Briarstown to hide what went on behind closed doors. She was devastated when her husband Reg discovered her “Plan” escape fund. The cupboard hung open. “Eight years of savings. Eight years of planning and hoping. Eight years gone.” Would she be able to weave a lie about why she was squirreling away money? Eliza wanted “to keep (her daughters) safe and teach them how to get on in life in a world that wouldn’t do them any favors…”.

Ruth Henton had left Briarstown twelve years ago and was now a star on the London Stage. "Ruth was everything Eliza would never be-beautiful, famous, rich-and able to sing for audiences who adored her". She appeared to have it all. The Prince of Wales requested to dine with her after a performance. One evening, Ruth failed to hit a high note in her solo as Yum Yum in the Mikado. One is only as good as one’s last performance. The missed note. Her husband was embroiled in scandal. She was no longer the theater’s “vocal” darling. Her independence and freedom were at stake.

“The music competition movement… sweeping the nation attract(ed) entrants from choirs at every level-village choirs, amateur groups of mill hands…a fair number of church and cathedral choirs.” A local newspaper ad in Briarstown read: “Female voice choir of not less than eight and no more than twenty voices…” Eliza remembered the applause…the joy from performing at age eleven under the direction of Ms. Donahue, her school teacher at the mill school. “Eliza want(ed) to put bits of herself back together…Some days she felt like she no longer had a soul, that Reg had taken it along with her happiness, her dignity, her hope-and even her voice.” The winning group in the Ladies Choir Category in Whitby would split a monetary prize. Perhaps Eliza’s Plan to leave Reg could still be realized.

The reader is introduced to the women of the mill town of fictional Briarstown. A singing camaraderie forms. Some spouses were vehemently opposed to their wives participation in the choir while others welcomed the opportunity to support their wives. It was a surprising turn of events that Ruth Henton’s theatrical demise would evolve into her role as one of the adjudicators for choral competitions.

Ms. Donahue had a daunting task. Would this former teacher be able to turn a group of inexperienced singers into a well balanced chorus whose voices could magically blend together. Many of their competitors had been singing together for years. Eliza had only joined the choir to secure enough money to execute her “Plan” to leave Briarstown behind. She had never expected to make good friends.

In alternating chapters, Eliza and Ruth’s intertwining story speaks of secrets and regrets, forgiveness and newfound resiliency. The choral experience is a segway to women’s friendship “fractured by years of cares and responsibilities that often took them to the edges of poverty….”. From mothers and wives and mill hands they had transformed themselves into a choir united in a common purpose.”

Highly recommended.

Thank you Colin Mustful @History Through Fiction for the Print ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Book in with Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir by Carol M. Cram
Publisher - HTF Publishing
#TheChoir #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC book.

This is a historical fiction novel set during the 1890s in Briarstown, a fictional Yorkshire mill town and also in London and Whitby. The two main characters are Eliza Kingwell, a mother of 5 daughters, who is trying to find a way to escape her hard life with her abusive husband and Ruth Henton, who escaped Briarstown to become a singer on the London stage.

Eliza comes together with other local women to create a choir, while Ruth’s life takes a difficult turn leaving her in a vulnerable position. The childhood friends eventually come back together via community choir competitions.

In a world that wants to silence them, one group of women dares to sing.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was so invested in the characters of Eliza and Ruth as well as the other women we meet along the way. I found the writing accessible and engaging. I kept wanting to return to the book every evening to see what would happened next. I am always drawn to historical fiction that centres working class voices and being from Yorkshire myself, I really appreciated and recognised the setting.

This book tackles some difficult themes and highlights the difficulties many women faced during that period, due to their limited access to independence. The author did some research around life in mill towns during that time, which shows in the writing. The book is also a celebration of female friendship, community and the power of singing together. I loved the community choir theme that ran throughout this book. I really liked that the book touched on Mary Wakefield, a real women, who brought music, singing, community choirs and inclusive competitions to different areas of the UK. This story really shows the power that singing can bring to people’s lives.

I would recommend this book and I would be really interested to read other books by this author.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Gillian Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir is a beautifully written historical fiction novel set in the 1890’s in a Yorkshire mill town. I was captivated and engaged from the first page right through to the end. It was very descriptive, making me feel I had been transported back in time. I could imagine what it was like to be living and working during this period.

Eliza had a plan to leave her abusive husband and take her five daughters away. To do this required money. Eliza “felt as if she were invisible, without will or purpose”. She was searching for something more. She heard that a choir was forming in her town and they were going to sing in a competition. The prize money was just what she needed.

Ruth was Eliza’s childhood best friend. They loved to sing together. They had a falling out and Ruth left town to find her fortune on the stage. Ruth had lots of people who had let her down in her life including the people she had loved, her mother, best friend Eliza and husband James. It was up to her to save herself. Ruth and Eliza have a chance meeting years later when Ruth is the judge for the singing competition which Eliza and her group have entered.

I love the character of Eliza. She is a strong-willed woman who believes in herself. She goes against what her husband wants her to do. Determined to look after her five daughters and give them a better life and an education rather than letting them work at the mill.

I enjoyed the use of alternating the chapters between Eliza and Ruth throughout the story. This made it easy to see how each of the friends’ lives progressed through the years.

The story has many themes including childhood friendships, new friendships, new loves, secrets, forgiveness and the power of music and songs.

I highly recommend reading this wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of The Choir. I thoroughly enjoyed this and give it five stars. Looking forward to Carol M Cram’s next book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Choir" is a beautifully written story. I read every single word (which sometimes I don't when not fully engaged or the language is a bit too flowery).
Carol M Cram reminds me of the joys of being part of choir. Digging deep within yourself, finding your voice to make a (hopefully) pleasing sound to blend with others, share with others and enjoy with friends. By singing, you are delivering beautifully written words and conveying the story as dreamt by the composer, which can be very emotional; awakening parts of you that may be dormant or undiscovered.
The comraderie of this group of hard working women in 1890's Briarstown is the only bright light in their week for many. Eliza Kingwell's singing voice has been private for many years but she is persuaded by neighbours to find it once again. But this is at great risk. Physical violence is part of her life with controlling husband Reg. She hides this behind closed doors but has a plan and a dream for a better life with her five daughters. The village choir's success might make this possible.
Ruth, Eliza's best friend of school days, escaped the working class village years ago and used her stunning voice as a path to stardom in the London theatre world. But life, is not always as rich as it seems when your husband misleads you and finally deserts you in the most permanent way. Harsh realities of being destitute focus the mind; on what is most important in life.
"The Choir" is a heartfelt story of sisterhood in a safe space where mutal encouragement helps you to lift your voice, your mood, find your inner strength and the true feeling of joy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Carol M Cram and HTF Publishing for my copy. I'd love to read more books by Carol and will search out her back catalogue.

[Tema Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that choir competitions were a big deal in northern England in the late 1800s? I certainly didn’t. But Carol Cram’s new novel, The Choir, immerses readers not only in that world, but in the lives of poor, working women and housewives for whom the meagre winnings in such a competition could make an enormous difference to their lives.

The tale has two intersecting stories, those of childhood friends turned enemies, Eliza Kingwell and Ruth Henton. Both had been known as extraordinarily talented singers in their youth. Eliza ends up married to Ruth’s violent step-father, births him five daughters, and is desperate to get them – and herself -- to a safer life. When all else has failed, she sets her hopes on winning a regional choir competition. The prize money would make it possible for her and her daughters to flee.

Ruth, meanwhile, has become a “professional beauty” and singer in London, entertaining even the likes of the Prince of Wales. Her life takes a sudden, negative turn and she’s forced out of London. Having lost her influential fans, Ruth is stuck judging dreary regional choir competitions to earn her keep.

The book is well-written, and one can empathize with both women, the difficult choices they have made and where those choices have led them. The musical knowledge woven through the book is delightful. My only complaint was that at times the plot felt a bit too neat. But maybe it wouldn’t hit you that way if you weren’t – as I am -- in the middle of editing your own first novel and trying to ensure you hit all the required beats.

[ecastell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late nineteenth century, The Choir unfolds in the fictional working-class mill town of Briarstown, Yorkshire.

At its heart is Eliza, a mother of five daughters trapped in an abusive marriage to a violent alcoholic. Desperate to escape and bring her children to safety at her grandmother’s home, Eliza finds herself without the means to do so.

Running parallel to Eliza’s story is that of her childhood friend Ruth, now a celebrated professional singer. Night after night, Ruth performs before adoring audiences, yet behind the applause she faces serious challenges in both her career and personal life.

Eliza and Ruth have not seen one another for many years following a painful falling-out, the cause of which is slowly revealed to the reader. Author Carol M. Cram skillfully weaves their stories through alternating chapters, tracing parallel journeys of heartbreak and resilience that ultimately lead to their long-awaited reunion.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Choir. It is an uplifting story of grit, determination, and the restorative power of friendship, as well as the healing force of music.

Trigger Warning: The Choir contains depictions of domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor, and alcoholism.

I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir is a upcoming historical fiction novel that is set in late nineteenth century England. It follows the story of two women who were once friends but drifted apart due to situations growing up. The two friends are later reunited through group choir. There is still a lot of aminosity between them however, with time they can work through it.

Our first character Eliza has always felt guilty for the death of her brother. She is stuck in a abusive marriage and she decides to join a choir. From there she is reunited with Ruth who was once her dearest friend. Ruth however, has her own problems. The death of her husband has caused scandal forcibg her to leave the theatre which she loved. She returns to her hometown to help with the choir and faces elements of her past.

I will say I was very touched by the story. You have to admire these two women for moving on with their lives when things got tough. It warmed my heart knowing that these two were not only able to rekindle their friendship but also a second chance at romance as well.

[Tractor Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story - based in a fictional Yorkshire town, where the woman are downtrodden with very little self-esteem.

The novel is about Eliza - who has a violent older husband and five daughters, and her childhood friend Ruth - whose life changed when she left her stepfather (who is now Eliza's husband) to London and became a theatre star.

Ruth's life changes, when her husband kills himself and she is discarded from society, her uncle manages to secure her a job with the Northern Music society who runs competitions for choirs and singers throughout the north of England.

Eliza secretly squirrels money away from her husband planning her escape... she returns home one day to find he has found it and her plans are quashed. Reluctantly at first she joins a new choir in the town, and with her former school mistress they start to enter competitions.

A wonderful story of hope and reconciliation

Thanks to Netgalley for the ERC

[Jean Mader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir is the most moving and uplifting book I’ve read this year. Carol Cram brings 1890s Briarstown to life with a story that is at once gritty, tender, and triumphant. I felt completely swept into the circle of brave, working-class women who discover their strength and dignity by learning to sing together. Eliza’s fierce determination, Ruth’s journey toward redemption, and the fragile, hard-won sisterhood among the choir members made the novel feel deeply personal. Cram beautifully captures the way music can restore hope and transform lives. I cherished every moment and didn’t want to leave these characters behind.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

[Mandy Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Choir, by Carol M Cram, is a delightful historical fiction about Eliza and Ruth, childhood friends whose lives took two different paths. Eliza is married to an abusive man and has five daughters. Ruth has moved on to be a star on the London stage with an amazing voice. Ruth’s life falls apart after a scandal and Eliza joins the choir made up mill workers’ wives to find a moment of joy. The former friends are brought back together through their love of singing.

I loved this story about friendship and creating happiness in your own life. I had a hard time following the shifts in time between present day 1890s and flashbacks to the youth of the FMCs. I always enjoy a plot that involves music. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more by her.

[Mary-Terese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliza drew me in, and her journey from barely-coping wife to triumphant mom, friend, and singer was good for the soul. The Yorkshire setting and the realities of life reminded me a little of Elizabeth Gaskell, though obviously a different time period, but Carol's setting and characters rang true in that same way: women waking up to their power while doing 12 other things simultaneously--because children and poverty and patriarchy. Some shades of Chilbury Ladie's Choir as well, but this is earthier, a little darker, and a great look at 1890s Yorkshire, life in a mining town, and the world of amateur competitive singing. Carol provided me with an advance copy, all opinions my own. A great read!

[Maryka Biaggio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir is a rousing novel set in an 1890s English village where Eliza Kingwell is desperate to save her five girls from mill work—and herself from a life of drudgery and a loveless marriage. She gathers an unlikely band of working-class women to form a choir in hopes of winning a purse to buy her freedom. But when she encounters a former friend who is slated to judge the competition, old hurts and new possibilities collide. Filled with courage, companionship, and the transformative power of song, this is a story of women who fight to be heard. Perfect for readers who love rich historical settings and unforgettable female resilience.

[Bruce R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt and absorbing story set against the popular movement of community choirs in late 1800s England, centered on two women connected by friendship and singing, whose paths are separated by tragedy. The triumph of the human spirit shines through many hardships, and it is through music that the story truly sings. I found it hard to put the book down.
The weaving of historical realities through fictional characters was beautifully done, bringing both the people and the period vividly to life.

[Jeaneen Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Choir is a delightful read that epitomizes how music and the friendship of females can transcend hardship and feelings of hopelessness. I could not put it down after the first few chapters! A wonderful portrayal of the struggles many women faced when they were considered nothing but property. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful going on the journey with the mill women finding their confidence via singing. Choirs create an incredible feeling of togetherness, strength and camaraderie which was well written into this beautifully crafted story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Gwyneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️round up. Received as part of LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program. Enjoyable historical fiction read. Tells the story of two women and the competitive choir program of 1890s England. Eliza and Ruth, the main characters develop and grow throughout the text. A novel that depicts the quiet strength of struggling working-class mother of the time.

[Tacie Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Choir was a moving, quick read. I enjoyed both Eliza and Ruth’s stories, and appreciated how the short, alternating chapters slowly revealed their lives and struggles. The story built quietly but powerfully, and I found myself teary-eyed by the final chapters.