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Secrets of the Singer Girls
1942. Sixteen-year-old Poppy Percival turns up at the gates of Trout's clothing factory in Bethnal Green with no idea what her new life might have in store. There to start work as a seamstress and struggling to get to grips with the noise, dirt and devastation of East London, Poppy can't help but miss the quiet countryside of home. But Poppy harbours a dark secret - one that wrenched her away from all she knew and from which she is still suffering . . .
And Poppy's not the only one with a secret. Each of her new friends at the factory is hiding something painful. Vera Shadwell, the forelady, has had a hard life with scars both visible and concealed; her sister Daisy has romantic notions that could get her in trouble; and Sal Fowler, a hardworking mother who worries about her two evacuated boys for good reason. Bound by ties of friendship, loyalty and family, the devastating events of the war will throw each of their lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.
And Poppy's not the only one with a secret. Each of her new friends at the factory is hiding something painful. Vera Shadwell, the forelady, has had a hard life with scars both visible and concealed; her sister Daisy has romantic notions that could get her in trouble; and Sal Fowler, a hardworking mother who worries about her two evacuated boys for good reason. Bound by ties of friendship, loyalty and family, the devastating events of the war will throw each of their lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
50 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Kate Thompson
10 books521 followersKate Thompson was born in London and worked as a journalist for twenty years on women's magazines and national newspapers. She now lives in Sunbury with her husband, two sons and two rescue dogs. After ghost writing five memoirs, Kate moved into fiction.
Kate's first non-fiction social history documenting the forgotten histories of East End matriarchy, The Stepney Doorstep Society, was published in 2018 by Penguin. She is passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories.
Today Kate works as a journalist, author and library campaigner. Her most recent books, The Little Wartime Library (2022) and The Wartime Book Club (2023) by Hodder & Stoughton focus on two remarkable libraries in wartime. Her 100 libraries project, celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities.
Kate is also proud to have worked in collaboration with one of Britain's oldest Holocaust survivors, Renee Salt, to research and write, A mother's Promise (UK) Do Not Cry When I Die (US and Canada) to be published on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Podcast host - From the Library With Love. Interviews with librarians, best-sellling authors and our remarkable wartime generation. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
Kate's first non-fiction social history documenting the forgotten histories of East End matriarchy, The Stepney Doorstep Society, was published in 2018 by Penguin. She is passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories.
Today Kate works as a journalist, author and library campaigner. Her most recent books, The Little Wartime Library (2022) and The Wartime Book Club (2023) by Hodder & Stoughton focus on two remarkable libraries in wartime. Her 100 libraries project, celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities.
Kate is also proud to have worked in collaboration with one of Britain's oldest Holocaust survivors, Renee Salt, to research and write, A mother's Promise (UK) Do Not Cry When I Die (US and Canada) to be published on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Podcast host - From the Library With Love. Interviews with librarians, best-sellling authors and our remarkable wartime generation. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 10, 2016
Found it hard to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down. The ups and downs of the women at the factory was a great story. At times I felt though that there were too many secrets. And one or two of them were kind of drawn out. But on the whole it was an enjoyable read.
April 18, 2015
Lately I'm becoming more and more of a sucker for books set during World War Two. Having a love of history as I studied it as part of my degree there is just something about books set in this time that calls to me. This year I've read quite a few some good some bad but I am pleased to say Secrets of the Singer Girls was a joy to read from start to finish. It's not all lightness and fun but the trials and tribulations are nicely balanced with humour and happiness. For a début novel Kate Thompson has written an insightful, gripping read that had me racing home from work just to find out what would happen next. Everything was put aside as I was keen to discover would the Singer Girls get the fulfilment and contentment they so richly deserved or would bigger events have lots in store for them? I spent several hours lost in the world of these remarkable women as they navigated the highs and lows of life during World War Two. These women were gutsy, courageous and loyal and how they coped with the range of issues thrown at them is only to be admired. This book despite some of the subject matter had a bright, vibrant cover and the two girls on the front showed how two of the main characters were in direct contrast with each other. The sign subtly placed in the background 'Loose Lips Sink Ships' was an apt touch as this was a motto well used during war times.
Set in 1942 Secrets of the Singer Girls follows four polar opposite women all connected through their job. They work in a factory called Trouts under the eye of foreman Archie Gladstone. Here they sew bandages for field hospitals and repair soldiers uniforms. They earned the name in the title because they sing as they work on their Singer sewing machines which helps the women through the long shift work. Poppy Percival is a naive 16 year old recent arrival to the East End from the countryside. She is running from something and all she has known is a life in the scullery of a rich house. Turfed out for something unknown, even her own mother can't wait to be rid of her. Oh how I felt for Poppy as she climbed the stairs of the factory with trepidation to start a new chapter in her life. Everything she had known was turned upside down and how she must have been so fearful as to what awaited her. But soon the girls of the factory take her under their wing and over the course of the book we see a true transformation for Poppy as her courage grows and she realises she must look for happiness.
Vera and Daisy Shadwell are two sisters who couldn't be more different. Vera as forelady of the factory has to retain some authority on the floor. But you could see she had a softer side although the scars of the past still affected her. She was so kind to help Poppy out in anyway she could even though her home life under the hands of her father Frank was not at all in the least bit comfortable. Underneath it all I sensed she was lonely and afraid to let certain things go, having to take over the role of mother figure to Daisy at a young age must also not have been easy. Vera was always watchful and on edge and if she could only relax and let love and friendship in her life might have become more positive. Daisy is in stark contrast to Vera, a wildfire out for a bit of fun and to make the most of life in a bad situation. I loved Daisy's attitude on first glimpse of the American GI's 'Food may be rationed, but at least men aren't anymore'. Meeting and falling in love with African American soldier Robert puts Daisy in a position that will test every ounce of strength she has. But will her friends be there to support her through thick and thin?
Finally we have Sal Fowler, an East End woman through and through. Her husband is away fighting in the war which is only a good thing. The suffering, abuse and depravity inflicted on her by a brute is now a distant memory. Also Sal's two boys have been evacuated to the countryside to save them from the bombing. How awful for any mother to have to do that with their children but her job and friends help Sal stay strong. One thing that I liked about this book was that it didn't focus solely on Poppy and her story, instead it weaved the secrets of all four girls together to make for a gripping, fast paced read. There was not one character that was weaker than the others as can often happen with multiple main characters. I cared for them all and each woman's storyline was realistic for the time.
To be honest I can't find fault with this book it engaged me from start to finish, it inspired emotions in me that often never come across when I am reading a book. It was obvious what passion Kate Thompson had for her story and all the twists and turns were nicely done as the layers were peeled back and the surprises left me open mouthed. These four women were brave, daring and heroic with such indomitable spirits that proves friendship, family community spirit will get you through anything despite what little you may have.
In an end note Kate Thompson mentioned how she wanted to pay tribute to the essence of community, loyalty and camaraderie the people of Bethnal Green and the East End had. Well with Secrets of the Singer Girls she has achieved all this and more. All these sentiments radiate from the pages and give you that warm glow inside that despite rough times friendship and strong bonds always win through. I was delighted to see on the very last page that we will return to the East End next year and meet more characters with interesting stories to tell. Only a year to wait for Secrets of the Sewing Circle but I am already counting down the days as the girls of the East End have won a special place in my heart.
Set in 1942 Secrets of the Singer Girls follows four polar opposite women all connected through their job. They work in a factory called Trouts under the eye of foreman Archie Gladstone. Here they sew bandages for field hospitals and repair soldiers uniforms. They earned the name in the title because they sing as they work on their Singer sewing machines which helps the women through the long shift work. Poppy Percival is a naive 16 year old recent arrival to the East End from the countryside. She is running from something and all she has known is a life in the scullery of a rich house. Turfed out for something unknown, even her own mother can't wait to be rid of her. Oh how I felt for Poppy as she climbed the stairs of the factory with trepidation to start a new chapter in her life. Everything she had known was turned upside down and how she must have been so fearful as to what awaited her. But soon the girls of the factory take her under their wing and over the course of the book we see a true transformation for Poppy as her courage grows and she realises she must look for happiness.
Vera and Daisy Shadwell are two sisters who couldn't be more different. Vera as forelady of the factory has to retain some authority on the floor. But you could see she had a softer side although the scars of the past still affected her. She was so kind to help Poppy out in anyway she could even though her home life under the hands of her father Frank was not at all in the least bit comfortable. Underneath it all I sensed she was lonely and afraid to let certain things go, having to take over the role of mother figure to Daisy at a young age must also not have been easy. Vera was always watchful and on edge and if she could only relax and let love and friendship in her life might have become more positive. Daisy is in stark contrast to Vera, a wildfire out for a bit of fun and to make the most of life in a bad situation. I loved Daisy's attitude on first glimpse of the American GI's 'Food may be rationed, but at least men aren't anymore'. Meeting and falling in love with African American soldier Robert puts Daisy in a position that will test every ounce of strength she has. But will her friends be there to support her through thick and thin?
Finally we have Sal Fowler, an East End woman through and through. Her husband is away fighting in the war which is only a good thing. The suffering, abuse and depravity inflicted on her by a brute is now a distant memory. Also Sal's two boys have been evacuated to the countryside to save them from the bombing. How awful for any mother to have to do that with their children but her job and friends help Sal stay strong. One thing that I liked about this book was that it didn't focus solely on Poppy and her story, instead it weaved the secrets of all four girls together to make for a gripping, fast paced read. There was not one character that was weaker than the others as can often happen with multiple main characters. I cared for them all and each woman's storyline was realistic for the time.
To be honest I can't find fault with this book it engaged me from start to finish, it inspired emotions in me that often never come across when I am reading a book. It was obvious what passion Kate Thompson had for her story and all the twists and turns were nicely done as the layers were peeled back and the surprises left me open mouthed. These four women were brave, daring and heroic with such indomitable spirits that proves friendship, family community spirit will get you through anything despite what little you may have.
In an end note Kate Thompson mentioned how she wanted to pay tribute to the essence of community, loyalty and camaraderie the people of Bethnal Green and the East End had. Well with Secrets of the Singer Girls she has achieved all this and more. All these sentiments radiate from the pages and give you that warm glow inside that despite rough times friendship and strong bonds always win through. I was delighted to see on the very last page that we will return to the East End next year and meet more characters with interesting stories to tell. Only a year to wait for Secrets of the Sewing Circle but I am already counting down the days as the girls of the East End have won a special place in my heart.
November 1, 2017
Set in the East End of London during WWII, this novel tells of a group of machinists working together in a factory making/repairing army uniforms. Naïve, shy Poppy has been sent from the wilds of Norfolk to work in the factory (and this I found quite improbable) under the watchful eye of the manager, a distant cousin of Poppy’s mother. Vera, the forelady, takes her under her wing, along with Daisy, Vera’s flighty younger sister, and Sal, a married woman whose bullying husband is in the army. True to the title, all of them have secrets which are all divulged in the book sooner or later. I quite liked the story but took issue with some of the research. The author has one of the characters washing on a Sunday. All I can say is that my mother and aunts would have thrown their hands up in the air in horror. And another of the character is wearing nylons, which did not become widely available until the 1950s. I did not get my first pair until 1955. Towards the end of the book, one of the characters complains of having a tummy bug. No-one had a tummy bug back then, she would have been ‘bilious,’ the word used to convey a tummy upset. Sorry to be so picky when the story is quite a good one.
July 11, 2019
What another great ww2 book I just love reading these books about all the hardships of life in the 1940s and ww2 lots of lovely bits too some parts bought tears to my eyes on to the next one
May 19, 2016
What a fantastic read. Absolutely loved it. Warmed to all the characters and there were a few twists and turns and some sad emotional moments towards the end especially an event that actually happened. I love these type of books and I really enjoyed it very much.
September 25, 2019
Read secrets of the singer girls.. struggled to get through it. So have abanboned this one.
February 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book set in WW2. All the ups & downs & love life’s of the machinists . I read this book in about a week. So easy to get into. The characters are interesting & a great story.
September 15, 2019
I found this book hard work it took ages to get going and I almost gave up
October 1, 2019
Great book enjoyed it very much love reading about thewar years
January 22, 2016
This book was just so engrossing. I barely put it down once I had started reading it. The period of time, it is set in has always been of interest to me and I felt as if I were in 1943, suffering everything along with the Singer Girls. I have never read a Kate Thompson book before now and I will definitely be looking out for more of her stories if they are like this one. The writer has put a great deal of care, research and heart into this book and it shows in her storytelling.
The book is about a group of factory girls in a textile factory in WW2, they make bandages and uniforms for the troops. This was a time of real social revolution for women as they abandoned the kitchen and filled the job vacancies left by the men gone to war. Poppy is a shy, 16-year-old girl fresh from the country, sent by her mother to go work at the factory in Bethnal Green. Although she feels a bit like a fish out of water, the girls do their best to make her welcome to her new situation in life. Daisy is a beautiful 18-year-old girl who also works at the factory with her elder sister. Their relationship is troubled, but she and Vera become friends to Poppy and help her settle in.
Both young girls are trying to find their way in life and just survive the war. Not all of the horrors of it are fought on the front line. The suffering of those left behind is clearly illustrated in this book. The story was an emotional wringer that had me back and forth between tears and smiles. However, key things were at the heart of this book, family, love and endurance in the face of adversity and tragedy. One of the best books I have read so far, this year.
The book is about a group of factory girls in a textile factory in WW2, they make bandages and uniforms for the troops. This was a time of real social revolution for women as they abandoned the kitchen and filled the job vacancies left by the men gone to war. Poppy is a shy, 16-year-old girl fresh from the country, sent by her mother to go work at the factory in Bethnal Green. Although she feels a bit like a fish out of water, the girls do their best to make her welcome to her new situation in life. Daisy is a beautiful 18-year-old girl who also works at the factory with her elder sister. Their relationship is troubled, but she and Vera become friends to Poppy and help her settle in.
Both young girls are trying to find their way in life and just survive the war. Not all of the horrors of it are fought on the front line. The suffering of those left behind is clearly illustrated in this book. The story was an emotional wringer that had me back and forth between tears and smiles. However, key things were at the heart of this book, family, love and endurance in the face of adversity and tragedy. One of the best books I have read so far, this year.
June 2, 2017
Although written first this book takes place chronologically after the second book so I decided to read the books chronologically and am glad that I did as characters in the books overlap.
1942, the women at Trouts’ garment factory are valiantly making uniforms and bandages for the troops fighting overseas whilst facing their own troubles and tribulations at home. Sixteen year old Poppy has been sent to Bethnal Green by her mother but she is reluctant to say why. Whilst Sal, East End born and bred might seem confident on the outside but really she is masking her vulnerability. Confident Vera is a house proud woman but for nearly 2 decades she has been keeping a secret that only her abusive father knows.
A truly engaging story of love, loss and life set alongside real wartime events. Through the story it is evident that friendship has never been as important to the Singer Girls as it is now.
March 11, 2019
I really enjoyed Secrets of the Singer Girls, although the level of violence vividly described shaped my decision to give it 3*. I love that Kate Thompson doesn’t go for the obvious subjects set during WWII when planning her books. I guessed some of the storylines fairly early on, but this didn’t detract from the enjoyment. The Bethnal Green tube disaster was an horrific accident. Imagine trying to keep that quiet in the 21st century, but if the Nazis had gotten wind of it I dread to think what might have occurred. A second London Blitz? Ironic that I read this a day after the anniversary. Kate Thompson brings to life the conditions that these East End women had to contend with so vividly, they must have been incredibly strong women.
February 23, 2025
I have read at least half a dozen books by this author at this point, all but one of those set in London's East End during the war. There is a sameness to all of them, a familiarity not because of any lack of imagination on the author's part but because whether it is Bow, Poplar, Stepney, Stratford, Bethnal Green, or any of the other East end neighbourhoods there is a sameness in the people and in their struggles, "a place of gritty hardship, aching hunger and staunch loyalties". An area of abject poverty where only 5% of the children were properly clothed and shod, Thompson brings us into the lives of the hardworking war era women, be it in soap factories, match factories, or the garment industry we meet fiercely protective mothers and young, often foolish "girls" who dream of elevating themselves to a better life, usually through meeting a soldier. There are always the hard issues of domestic abuse and unplanned pregnancies along with the tragedies of living in the worst war torn area of London. Thompson is not afraid to tackle thorny social issues like rape, abortion, same-sex relationships, and in this case inter-racial relationships. As with her other books this one has not one but two odious male characters, although I have to admit they didn't bother me quite as much here because I was confident in knowing that those types always get what is due them, lol!
The first half of this book was a bit slow as a couple of others have been but by the midway point I found myself invested in the lives of the Singer Girls, so-called not only because of the machines they worked on but because of their beautiful voices raised in song while they toiled. When it comes to the secrets I'm afraid they were entirely predictable and while in the case of Poppy's secret I'm sure the author meant to build suspense but I found the repeated reference with no clarification (even though it was obvious what it was) annoying... just get on with it already.
As with other books Thompson is often drawn to the story because of a tragedy beyond the expected destruction of homes and neighbourhoods. In this case it was the horrible crush of people attempting to enter the Bethnal Green Tube Station on March 3, 1943, a disaster that saw 173 people killed – suffocated as body after body piled up in a frenzy to reach the safety of the tunnels. While writing of these tragedies with factual reality they are treated, both in the story and later in detailed Author's Notes with the utmost respect and desire for the victims to be remembered.
I think I only have one more of Thompson's books to read after this so I must take my own advice and just get on with it!
The first half of this book was a bit slow as a couple of others have been but by the midway point I found myself invested in the lives of the Singer Girls, so-called not only because of the machines they worked on but because of their beautiful voices raised in song while they toiled. When it comes to the secrets I'm afraid they were entirely predictable and while in the case of Poppy's secret I'm sure the author meant to build suspense but I found the repeated reference with no clarification (even though it was obvious what it was) annoying... just get on with it already.
As with other books Thompson is often drawn to the story because of a tragedy beyond the expected destruction of homes and neighbourhoods. In this case it was the horrible crush of people attempting to enter the Bethnal Green Tube Station on March 3, 1943, a disaster that saw 173 people killed – suffocated as body after body piled up in a frenzy to reach the safety of the tunnels. While writing of these tragedies with factual reality they are treated, both in the story and later in detailed Author's Notes with the utmost respect and desire for the victims to be remembered.
I think I only have one more of Thompson's books to read after this so I must take my own advice and just get on with it!
February 1, 2018
This is the second book in this series. I really enjoyed the first book. I thought it was a great angle to WW11 historical fiction. It really presented the life during the war and in particular the Blitz and how the women fought on the Homefront. This story was much more serious and dreary. It addressed every social Problem affecting women from domestic violence, illegitimate pregnancy, abortion, racism, and rape. This was less about the war than about women's problems caused by men.
February 22, 2025
Alright this book had me gripped.
I was hooked to this story and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.
However I think this story deserved more as this story has felt unfinished.
The characters had a perfect moment for situations. Which could of taken a turn.
For a moment you would think it would be predicable. But thankful it wasn't.
But I quite like the story. This is a four star.
I was hooked to this story and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.
However I think this story deserved more as this story has felt unfinished.
The characters had a perfect moment for situations. Which could of taken a turn.
For a moment you would think it would be predicable. But thankful it wasn't.
But I quite like the story. This is a four star.
July 21, 2017
Having read the Secrets of the Sewing Bee, this felt like a natural follow on, although perhaps read in the wrong order, this gave background to some of the characters in the SSB but also reminds you some of the things that go on today are not new, they just weren't spoken about. Love the feisty won't be beaten characters.
May 12, 2019
I really like Kate Thompson's books as they are sheer escapism into a different time period. I love learning about life in the 1940's. At times heartbreaking, the characters are all likable and the story fast paced enough to keep me interested. I really enjoyed this title, but not quite as much as its predecessor the "Secrets of the Sewing Bee" which I absolutely couldn't put down.
June 3, 2019
Couldn't put this book down.
I had to keep reading this book and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it back down again. The characters were very believable and Kate painted a perfect picture of them with her descriptions. I gauge a good book by whether it makes me cry if it's content is emotional and this book delivered. An all round great story.
I had to keep reading this book and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it back down again. The characters were very believable and Kate painted a perfect picture of them with her descriptions. I gauge a good book by whether it makes me cry if it's content is emotional and this book delivered. An all round great story.
May 23, 2024
An easy read about the women working in the sewing factories in WW2. I enjoyed the characters in the book and Kate Thompson has a pleasant style of writing. The story was good and I found it interesting: the information about the tragedy at Bethnal Green tube station was completely new to me. I was glad that I read the book as it highlighted this appalling catastrophe to me.
January 9, 2025
After reading The Allotment Girls and Secrets Of The Sewing Bee, both of which we rated five stars, we’ve decided to start from Kate’s first book and continue in order of publication. It did not let down one bit and actually taught us about a historical event we previously didn’t know about in such a caring and thoughtful way. Onto the next!
January 23, 2025
This is the first book of Kate Thompson I have read and I couldn’t put it down. It’s about a group of girls having the most wonderful friendship, they go through heart break, sadness, loss and love during World War 2. They keep secrets and when once told it brings them closer
Thank you Kate for this excellent book and I’m looking forward to reading more of your books x
Thank you Kate for this excellent book and I’m looking forward to reading more of your books x
January 17, 2021
What a fabulous book. I enjoyed every page and couldn't wait to pick it back up to continue.
A great story with great characters.
I especially liked the facts at the end regarding the Bethnal Green 1943 disaster.
I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
A great story with great characters.
I especially liked the facts at the end regarding the Bethnal Green 1943 disaster.
I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
May 16, 2025
As a fan of The Allotment Girls and Secrets Of The Sewing Bee, Secrets Of The Singer Girls did not let down one bit. It talked about a covered-up historical event in such a caring and thoughtful way which is a major bonus.
December 12, 2017
A well written simple book. Easy to pick up and put down.
January 4, 2018
I was hooked. Normally I am not that into war romance...but this really got to the nitty gritty. So well researched and wonderfully developed characters.
April 14, 2018
Such a lively, engaging cast of characters! It really felt as if I'd been transported into another time and place.
August 1, 2019
Great book. Just couldn't put it down!
July 20, 2020
Enjoyed this book,took awhile to get into,then couldt stop reading it
October 28, 2020
A great story of the east-end many secrets to uncover kept me glued till the end.
May 17, 2023
Quick read and interesting. I thought it might have more to do with Secrets about the war. The "loose lips sink ships" tagline made me think it would be. There was a lot of domestic violence in this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews