Halfpenny Dreams

by Frances Brody

Previously published as Sisters of Fortune.Sophie and Rosa Moran are born into a working-class family struggling to rise above poverty. Their father is a lowly employee at Thackreys' Bank, a powerful family-run concern. Sophie and her sister first come into contact with the Thackrey family - especially young Lydia - as children through their father's job. In spite of the social differences between them, they form an enduring friendship.Years later, their paths cross again when Barney Moran is sacked from the bank, and the girls beg Mr Thackrey for help. Swept up in a dramatic chain of events, the lives of the two families are changed forever . . .

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Frances Brody's highly-praised 1920s mysteries feature clever and elegant Kate Shackleton, First World War widow turned sleuth. Missing person? Foul play suspected? Kate's your woman. For good measure, she may bring along ex-policeman, Jim Sykes.

Before turning to crime, Frances wrote for radio, television and theatre, and was nominated for a Time Out Award. She published four sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award in 2006.

www.frances-brody.com

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read almost all of the Kate Shackleton series written by this author and really love them but this one didn't grab me in the same way.

It is a a well written story of three young women growing up in very different families in the 1930's and how their lives collide. Sisters, Sophie and Rosie, live just above poverty with their parents and siblings - their father works for Thackery's bank as the doorman. Lydia is a the stepdaughter of the owner of the bank and the girls meet as children and again as young women when their lives are intertwined in a moment of drama. Their story is told alternately from Sophie or Lydia's view - Rosie has a more minor role in the story and is interesting especially in the earlier part with the different opinions each girl holds of the other. There is high drama and a crime to solve as well as some romance, so something to please everyone. But for me it just lacked pace and towards the end I just skimmed read to get the main details.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little harder to get into. Two young girls from very different family's find much in common and become forever friends

[Marilyn Pettigrove · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple crime mystery. It is an easy read and certainly not too frightening. It is the story of three young girls - one who comes into a rich family and two who come from working class family who had lots of personal loss. It is worth the read but not the best crime mystery I've read.

[Maureen Mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough story, but tepid, like tea that hasn't been allowed to draw.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of Good Reads first reads
This book tells the story of siblings Rosa and Sophie. when they are children they meet the Thackray family and become friends with Lydia. As they grow up they lead their own lives until one day they again meet up. The lives of the families are changed forever one day and their lives take a very different turn

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on a goodread giveaway. I have seen this author many times in the bookstores
but to be honest thought they looked uninteresting so was pleasantly surprised It was an enjoyable read and I loved the crime twists which made the plot and characters so I take back my original thoughts and look forward to searcing for more of the same on the shelves Many thanks

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

i won a copy of this book in the goodreads giveaway,
i really enjoyed the book and could not put it down,
its a story about friendships and family, with unexpected twist and heartbreaking turns,

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

after a few pages I wasn't sure this book was for me however I was actually surprised by how good this was. not always easy to read but glad I stuck with it!

[Verity W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read. Similar to other books with similar covers published in the last couple of years.

[Karen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate this as a 3.5... Kept me turning the pages, easy read but with a twist in the fortunes of the two main characters. Make sure you read the chapter title in order to keep track of which character you are reading about... One of my failings is that I tend to skip the chapter title - but important in this fiction. Pre-2nd world war Britain with typical struggles - contrast between the life of a young girl of wealth and that of poverty....I'll look out for this author again.