The Herring Girl: A BRAND NEW touching historical saga from Chrissie Walsh in 2026

by Chrissie Walsh

Discover the BRAND-NEW heart-wrenching historical saga from BESTSELLER Chrissie Walsh. Perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin, Katie Flynn and Dilly Court! 💔 Can one young woman find the truth about herself and heal an age-old family secret? 🍀

Ireland, 1937–1941

Nineteen-year-old Roisin McGinley dreams of joining the herring gutter girls in Ballycuan and earning vital money for her family. But when her parents and formidable grandmother forbid it without explanation, Roisin defies them and sets off determined to forge her own path.

Billeted with the stern Mrs Fitzsimons, Roisin soon feels she’s traded one set of rules for another, especially with Killian, the landlady’s taciturn fisherman son, glowering in every doorway. Yet as she gets to know him, Roisin glimpses the gentler man behind Killian’s stormy exterior, and a tender connection sparks.

But Ballycuan holds secrets - dangerous ones tied to Roisin’s own past. As whispers deepen into truths, Roisin is forced into a reckoning that will test her courage, her family’s loyalties, and the fragile love growing between her and Killian.

Can this young Irish girl find peace and love in this small harbour town? Or will secrets from her past destroy all that she holds dear?

Praise for Chrissie

'Full of joy, sorrow and a big pinch of fun. I loved it' Elizabeth Gill

'With truly heart-tugging moments that make you shed a tear' Diane Allen

‘This is an excellent read, love following how the families of Weaver Street are doing’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'Twists and turns in Weaver Street. A delightful read very uplifting. Really Enjoyed. Hope for another book. Give it a go!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'Oh what a beautiful story to be told, I love the Weaver Street series, as all the neighbours come together, in troubles, such a wonderful book from the first chapter right through to the end' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I have enjoyed the two books I have read about life on Weaver Street and anyone who enjoys reading about family life would not go wrong indulging in these books. Can’t wait until the next one!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I love the Weaver Street stories. Such lifelike characters I was fully absorbed in their lives. Extremely enjoyable reading’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘Love the Weaver Street books, they make me feel like I'm there going through all the ups and downs . Already excited for the next one’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

Genres: Historical Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nineteen-year-old Roisin McGinley dreams of joining the herring gutter girls in Ballycuan and earning vital money for her family. Her parents and grandmother don't want her to go, but know that she is old enough to make up her own mind. She and two friends take the job and head off. They are not billeted together, and Roisin finds herself in the home of Mrs. Fitzsimons and her gruff son, Killian. Mrs. Fitzsimons has a raft of rules and makes Roisin's life miserable. Fortunately she has friends and other women to support her. Something odd is happening surrounding Roisin, but she isn't sure what it is. Then she begins to spend time with Killian after dinner and walking with him from the harbor and as he loosens up, her life in their home is better. Herring gutting is not an easy job, it is also a dangerous one and there is one tragedy that was sad to read about.

This was an informative story about a time in history and job that I knew nothing about. It was also a story of friendship, female strength, family, tragedy and a side dish of romance. I really liked Roisin. She was a strong female character, loyal, a true friend, a bit of a mentor, someone who didn't complain and who stood up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. She was there in the first place to help her family. I liked how she finally dug into the past when she found out what the secret was, and she didn't give up until she had her answers. She wasn't there to blame anyone or bring attention to things, she just needed answers. If you enjoy a good historical fiction story with great characters, an interesting storyline and a little bit of romance, then I recommend The Herring Girl.

[Sara]

Fork new path
sorow and pooring change to new road
fun lay there
secret cant fload easly from depth of our road
sleep cell
buy new road for mony and truth
fun was puished
love ring thee bell
under many secret come y
come y
betreall past no
love ya

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ireland, 1937-1941: Nineteen-year-old Roisin McGinley dreams of joining the herring gutter girls in Ballycuan and earning vital money for her family. But when her parents and formidable grandmother forbid it without explanation, Roisin defies them and sets off determined to forge her own path. Billeted with the stern Mrs Fitzsimons, Roisin soon finds she's traded one set of rules for another, especially with Killian, the landlady's taciturn fisherman son, glowering in every doorway. Yet as she gets to know him, Roisin glimpses a gentler man behind Killian's stormy exterior, and a tender connection sparks. But Ballycuan holds secrets - dangerous ones tied to Roisin's own past. As whisoers deepen into truths, Roisin is forced into a reckoning that will test her courage, her family loyalties, and the growing love between her and Killian.

when nineteen-year-old Roisin McGinley wanted to join the herring gutter girls, her parents forbid her, so she ran away to Ballycuan. She found lodgings with Mrs Fitzsimons. But there was a genuine reason why her family did not want Roisin to go to Ballycuan.

I was engrossed in this book, and I lived how this story unfolded. I did find the pace a bit on the slow side, but when a book is well-written and enjoyable, the pace doesn't matter to me.

Published 13th March 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ChrissieWalsh for my ARC of #TheHerringGirl in exchange for an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this new historical fiction title from Chrissie Walsh, readers follow Roisin McGinley, a young woman in Ballycuan, Ireland, in the years leading up to World War II. Dreaming of earning money for her family as a herring gutter girl, Roisin hates her parents’ and grandmother’s decision to forbid her from doing so, but she decides to make her own way in the world. Trading her family’s rules for her landlady’s, Roisin’s new life is different, and Ballycuan is full of secrets -- including ones about Roisin’s past and Killian Fitzsimons (her landlady’s son) -- that force Roisin to gather her courage in this emotional new release. Emotional, intense, and fascinating, readers will love Roisin’s stubbornness and her growth over the course of the novel, while the other characters are well-written and complicated. The emotional tension in the book is well-written, and the historical details really bring the story and Ballycuan to life. Readers will love the research Walsh has done into the herring gutter girls, and readers can clearly see how the autonomy and wage would appeal to a girl like Roisin. Packed with details and deeply entertaining, historical fiction fans will love this emotional new novel from Chrissie Walsh and the characters that bring this story to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about the herring girls. Roisin and her team get the opportunity to go to Ballycuan for herring season. Roisin is a gutter; she guts the fish and then they are packed in pickling barrels. It really sounded like awful and nasty work but this was the 1930s so every opportunity to make money to help the family was taken. Ballycuan is about 100 miles from home and her mother is dead set against her going for the three-month season. Turns out there are secrets and of course it all comes out in the end. There were a couple times where I thought the book was at an end but it kept going. It was an easy read. The characters were well done and likeable although Theresa confused me. Her personality seemed to change a lot. I have enjoyed many of this author's stories and will continue to read them.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for providing me with a digital copy.

[sniksnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

In late 1930s Ireland, 19 year old Roisin defies her family’s ban on joining the herring gutter girls and heads to coastal Ballycuan for independence and family income.
She endures brutal herring gutting and packing in harsh conditions, lodges with strict Mrs Fitzsimons, and sparks a slow-burn romance with her gruff yet kind fisherman son, Killian.
Amid working-class coastal life and WWII shadows, Roisin uncovers a family secret, heals old wounds and discovers strength, love and self-identity.
A classic historical saga, the novel delivers atmospheric detail, emotional depth and the quiet courage of a young woman forging her path in a demanding era.

**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#TheHerringGirl

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical saga
Can one young woman find the truth about herself and heal an age old family secret.
Ireland and Roisin McGinley is taking a new job to become a herring girl, helping the fishermen who brave the sea to feed the nation.
Till her family find out where the job will be sending out warnings, be careful who you talk too, its a wicked place, her own horizons are broadening a whole twelve weeks of fun lies ahead for her.
Finding love is the last thing on her mind.
I truly loved this read that hold a big secret just waiting for Roisin to discover and sending her out on a journey to America to make her peace, but will always come back to her true love and her family.
Touching informative and beautiful.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming book about secrets, second chances, the things you do for love, reputation and making your way in the world. The portrayal of life in Ireland , the fishing work , poverty and the power of the church was well done. The contrast with America , when Roisin visits is striking. The chapters on the impact of WW2 were also informative. Once again, Christie Walsh has given a cast of characters to illustrate her points. Philomena and Theresa were very interesting, and it is easy to admire the integrity of Roisin and Killian. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advance copy to read and freely review.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful historical saga book set in Ireland between 1937 and 1941. 19 year old Roisin McGinley wants to go to Ballycuan for three months to work as a her8ng gutter girl. But for some reason her parents and grandmother are totally against st her going, However Roisin is headstrong and heads off anyway. What is the reason behind her family not wanting her to go . What follows is a great read with a brilliant storyline and some great characters,. It’s not a fast paced read but it’s definitely one that held my interest from start to finish .

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story which had everything romance and also family mystery.

I thought the book was well written and it flowed wonderfully it was interesting to read about the herring girls where they went for work. The different parts of the book were described with the places that the main character went to. The characters all worked well together. You kind of guessed what the family mystery was.

There was nothing I didn't like about the book I kept wanting to read on to find out what happened.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous work of historical fiction about a woman running off to Ballycuan to try to forge her own path and make money, and where she goes from there. some of the final elements were really effective, too. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

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[irene currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

What a hard life these girls had gutting herring out in all weather but for Roisin it was the first step to find her true self always having believed that con and nancy were her real mum and dad an adventure to a different part of Ireland finding her future husband a trip to America and finding out her father was a priest Chrissie sure knows how to tell a good story I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it five stars plus

[Lyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read so many memoir and biography books that I sometimes forget to check out other genres. This historical fiction book by Chrissie Walsh had me hooked from beginning to end. I loved every page! What a talented author. The characters were believable and their stories totally captured this time in history. I hope there is a sequel to this down the track – I will be reading another Chrissie Walsh book in the meantime.

[Laurel seitzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant & Interesing.

Oh, what a sad story. I felt that it was a look into the past, with insights into how life was for fishermen in the 1930’s and the reliance on a good catch to put food on the table. Roisin, Killian and Father Martin O Reilly were great characters and I really enjoyed this.

[S D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, Forgiveness & Redemption

Author Chrissie Walsh wove a captivating tale about families and their deepest secrets. Love is the thread that binds the characters together, sometimes after many trials, errors, patience, faith, compassion, and loyalty. This is a sweet book and I highly recommend it.

[Lyn Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I had read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It kept me interested, the characters were well described, some very likeable and others not so much. It dealt with family, family secrets, forgiveness and understanding. It had love level romance but just enough that was needed. It was easy to read and I will def check out Chrissie Walsh's other books.

[Jillean Ansley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story, hard to put down. I look on Google maps to find the places the story is set it and would love to go and explore these areas written about. A young girl wants some adventure in her life, travels to the other side of Ireland to become a "gutter girl" and meets her future.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story that follows the families of Weaver Street. These are wonderful stories. Well researched and such great characters. Highly recommend.

[Sandra Tiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and well told though just a little predictable but didn’t detract from the story. Would recommend it for a lovely easy read

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Herring Girl is a complicated family drama of a young woman’s self-determination and a family secret.

Nineteen-year-old Roisin dreams of joining the herring gutter girls. Her family needs the money, and she yearns for independence. At first, her parents forbid her to go, but they finally relent when they realize that their high-spirited, independent daughter will go with or without their blessing. Roisin believes they trust her, but she wonders about the real reason they do not want her to go. Her job is more demanding than she realizes, her landlady is strict, and the landlady’s son, Killian, is glowering, mysterious, and unexpectedly kind. Will she make it as a herring girl? Is there a secret about her family to uncover? Is there a possible romance brewing with Killian?

A herring girl is one miserable and dangerous job I KNOW I never want! The author’s vivid descriptions establish a strong sense of place and help us feel the hardships, challenges, and dangers of the job.

Do you enjoy themes of women supporting women? The developing friendship among the herring girls is a heartwarming story element. As Roisin forges her own path, faces a challenging job, and works to solve a family mystery, she depends on the support of her friends.

Fans of slow-burn romance will enjoy the sparks that fly between gruff and kind Killian and optimistic and hard-working Roisin. The real focus of the story is on Roisin and her determination in her job and in her quest to uncover a family secret. The sweet romance is an engaging side.

Fans of stories set in Ireland will be interested in the depictions of life there in the early 1940s. If you’re Reading Ireland in March, you might enjoy this compelling story.

Content Consideration: difficult work conditions, bullying

If you love stories set in Ireland with a strong sense of place, complicated family drama, and themes of determination, resilience, friendship, compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness, and adoption, you will want to add The Herring Girl to your TBR.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #TheHerringGirl upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.