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The Ragged School #1
Monday's Child
A little girl is found abandoned on a beach one chilly Monday in October, alone apart from the body of her mother, cold beside her. Rendered completely silent by her traumatic experience, she is given the name Monday by the woman who discovers her and takes her to the Red Cliffs Ragged School - an old, crumbling building perched above the Torquay bay. Her saviour, twenty-two-year old Sarah Sullivan, has also had a tough life. But when she was summoned to help out at Red Cliffs - a haven for poverty-stricken children from the cities - by her godfather Samuel she also found her own second chance within its walls. Now she will do anything to help the mischievous, loveable children there. Especially Monday whose continued silence tears at her heart. But with Samuel's health failing and his grasping nephew Christian eager to inherit, Red Cliffs is under threat. Sarah needs to fight - the children need her, and surprisingly she find she needs them. Will she be able to save the school and protect the little girl she's come to love so much, the one she's named Monday's Child? Monday's Child is the first in the Red Cliff Ragged School series, soon to be followed by Orphans and Angels. Praise for Linda Finlay 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express 'Take time out for a page-turner about family mysteries and betrayal' Take-a-Break 'A compelling saga . . . with a surprising and emotional ending which weaves together the storylines in a most satisfying way. Strongly recommended and a great read on a Cornish holiday' cjbrownecrimewriter.com 'A captivating and emotional novel about a strong woman struggling to find her own way in the world when others wish to see her fail' Winstone Books
- GenresHistorical Fiction
416 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2017
22 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Linda Finlay
25 books32 followersAs an Image Consultant, Linda has always had an avid interest in people. Helping them to regain their confidence after they've undergone life changing surgery is one of the most satisfying areas of her work.
Linda has always loved writing stories and won a competition run by the local paper when she was 11.
She has since been published in magazines and annuals. Moving to the spectacular Devon coast and learning about its local history inspired her to write her first novel The Royal Lacemaker. Under the patient guidance of a local teacher, she learned to make lace and is very proud of the 'spider' she produced.
She loves beach-combing, finding it the perfect excuse to indulge in a spot of people watching.
Linda has always loved writing stories and won a competition run by the local paper when she was 11.
She has since been published in magazines and annuals. Moving to the spectacular Devon coast and learning about its local history inspired her to write her first novel The Royal Lacemaker. Under the patient guidance of a local teacher, she learned to make lace and is very proud of the 'spider' she produced.
She loves beach-combing, finding it the perfect excuse to indulge in a spot of people watching.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 13, 2016
Red Cliffs Ragged School was founded to try and help children escape from extreme poverty. Red Cliffs offers a better chance in life. It relies on donations from the public to help with everyday running.
When her godfather's health deteriorates he summons Sarah to help with the running of the home.
Then her godfathers nephew Jake appears on the scene. He wants to turn the school into a luxury holiday resort.
Will Sarah be able to save Red Cliffs and the children who depend so much on her or will Jake get his holiday resort.
This book makes you realise just how lucky you are. What a lovely little read this book is.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK, Michael Joseph and the author Linda Finlat for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When her godfather's health deteriorates he summons Sarah to help with the running of the home.
Then her godfathers nephew Jake appears on the scene. He wants to turn the school into a luxury holiday resort.
Will Sarah be able to save Red Cliffs and the children who depend so much on her or will Jake get his holiday resort.
This book makes you realise just how lucky you are. What a lovely little read this book is.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK, Michael Joseph and the author Linda Finlat for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2021
Nice story, nice cast of charitable devoted people helping to save a school for destitute poor kids.
No sex, no bad language, small amount of mild violence, lots of tea and cakes.
No sex, no bad language, small amount of mild violence, lots of tea and cakes.
June 22, 2017
What a lovely story, this book was a pleasure to read. It's a gentle tale, but certainly not boring and its very well written. I was confused as to why on goodteads the book is called Red Cliffs Ragged School when it is actually titled Monday's Child but please don't let that put you off. The story is set in Torquay, Devon where the Red Cliffs school is situated, the main character, Sarah Sullivan is immediately likeable and I couldn't help but want to see her succeed. Monday is the name given to a little girl who was found on the beach next to her mother who had died during childbirth. I would defiantly recommend this book to all and look forward to another story about Red Cliffs Ragged School.
October 20, 2016
Forward thinking Sarah Sullivan was left distraught after her father's death and the rejection of her fiance. When her godfather asks her to come and help him with the school he runs for the ragged children of Torquay, she takes on the challenge- which turns out to be a lot more involved than she expected. This was an enjoyable story, written in a nice easy to read style. Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
November 8, 2020
. Mondays Child by Linda Finlay is the first book in her new Ragged School series. This time the story takes place in a turn of the century Torquay already attracting its share of wealthy tourists. The historical period that is highlighted in this story is as rich as the setting created , the Red Cliffs Ragged School comes to life on the page as new owner Sarah and school master Harry strive to keep it open and the children in their care safe.
Their are lots of references to the social change mainly in the female role and the girls are treated as equally as the boys which I enjoyed.The female adults support the Suffrage movement , which I loved!
A great historical fiction read. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the book
Their are lots of references to the social change mainly in the female role and the girls are treated as equally as the boys which I enjoyed.The female adults support the Suffrage movement , which I loved!
A great historical fiction read. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the book
February 10, 2022
What a lovely story. This was a real page turner for me. This is the first book by this author that I have read. Will read the 2nd book in the series next.
It was so interesting to see what went on in The Ragged School. All the interesting characters, and how they all pulled together and helped each other (eventually). It was also lovely to see how Sarah's character and confidence grew from the first time we meet her, up until the final page. This book really makes you think how fortunate we are. There are some very sad moments and some very unscrupulous characters too. I borrowed this book from the library.
It was so interesting to see what went on in The Ragged School. All the interesting characters, and how they all pulled together and helped each other (eventually). It was also lovely to see how Sarah's character and confidence grew from the first time we meet her, up until the final page. This book really makes you think how fortunate we are. There are some very sad moments and some very unscrupulous characters too. I borrowed this book from the library.
November 3, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I have read 3 others by this author and they have all been good. It took me a while to get into it but I actually quite sad it's come to an end.
December 6, 2024
This would probably be considered a quaint story now. A little old-fashioned to some. It is beautifully written and heartwarming.
March 11, 2017
This is definitely part of a series due to the ending, but an enjoyable read nonetheless. We are introduced to many characters, and they play out much like a BBC drama: some with good intentions and some with rotten intentions. Sprinkled with a little budding romance here, a mystery there, and a can-do attitude there, this is a cuppa tea reading treasure.
September 22, 2016
I was given a copy via Netgalley for a fair and unbiased review.
Sarah Sullivan's life has hit rock bottom. After being jilted by her fiancé, she is summoned by her godfather to the Red Cliffs Ragged School, a rambling house on the bay.
Founded to help children escape extreme poverty, Red Cliffs offers them a real home and a chance in life.
Sarah soon learns to forget her broken heart by teaching and loving the mischievous children from the city slums.
But when her godfather falls ill and his nephew Christian appears on the scene, the school's future suddenly looks uncertain.
Sarah is still grieving the lose of her father when she goes to work at Red Cliffs Ragged School, for homeless children, even when her godfather picks her up at the station Sarah has lost her bag so no longer has any possessions of her own, on the way to the school they notice blood on the beach, and a very small child huddled in a blanket. Sarah takes the small child to the school with no name she is called Monday.
Will Sarah cope with this new world where children are not important and not loved?? Can Sarah make a better future for these children and the school??
This is a great story with a wealth of characters, from Mrs Daws the loveable house keeper to the strict school master Harry, and also the lovely children and there stories of there previous lives.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story keeps you interested from the onset.
Would love to know if there will be a follow on story xx
Sarah Sullivan's life has hit rock bottom. After being jilted by her fiancé, she is summoned by her godfather to the Red Cliffs Ragged School, a rambling house on the bay.
Founded to help children escape extreme poverty, Red Cliffs offers them a real home and a chance in life.
Sarah soon learns to forget her broken heart by teaching and loving the mischievous children from the city slums.
But when her godfather falls ill and his nephew Christian appears on the scene, the school's future suddenly looks uncertain.
Sarah is still grieving the lose of her father when she goes to work at Red Cliffs Ragged School, for homeless children, even when her godfather picks her up at the station Sarah has lost her bag so no longer has any possessions of her own, on the way to the school they notice blood on the beach, and a very small child huddled in a blanket. Sarah takes the small child to the school with no name she is called Monday.
Will Sarah cope with this new world where children are not important and not loved?? Can Sarah make a better future for these children and the school??
This is a great story with a wealth of characters, from Mrs Daws the loveable house keeper to the strict school master Harry, and also the lovely children and there stories of there previous lives.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story keeps you interested from the onset.
Would love to know if there will be a follow on story xx
November 23, 2016
Monday’s Child is the first of Linda Finlay’s new Ragged School series. This time the story takes place in a turn of the century Torquay already attracting its share of wealthy tourists. All the ingredients of Linda Finlay’s deft storytelling are there: an atmospheric sense of history, a setting that jumps off the page and fully formed characters that develop during the story to keep you turning the page to find out how they fare through all that life throws their way. The Red Cliffs Ragged School comes to life on the page as new owner Sarah and school master Harry strive to keep it open and the children in their care safe.
With plenty of references to social change, especially with regard to womens’ role in society, the girls in the Ragged School are treated as well as the boys and given prospects, whilst adult characters support the sufferage movement. I loved the gentle sense of humour pervading the narrative either through the minor characters like Mrs Snooper and Miss Middle or the amusing dialogue between the Ragged School children or Sarah and Harry.
Monday’s Child is great read for the winter days leading up to Christmas. And I am delighted this novel is the first in a series because I can’t wait to find out what will happen to Sarah, Harry and the lovely Mrs Dawes and the children of Red Cliffs Ragged School next.
With plenty of references to social change, especially with regard to womens’ role in society, the girls in the Ragged School are treated as well as the boys and given prospects, whilst adult characters support the sufferage movement. I loved the gentle sense of humour pervading the narrative either through the minor characters like Mrs Snooper and Miss Middle or the amusing dialogue between the Ragged School children or Sarah and Harry.
Monday’s Child is great read for the winter days leading up to Christmas. And I am delighted this novel is the first in a series because I can’t wait to find out what will happen to Sarah, Harry and the lovely Mrs Dawes and the children of Red Cliffs Ragged School next.
February 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this brilliant saga set in the 1900's. The storyline was set in Torbay in The Red Cliffs Ragged School for orphan and deprived children. When Sarah's father dies, she joins her godfather in running the school. Unfortunately her godfather also dies and Sarah inherits the school. With her godfathers nephew contesting the will Sarah needs all the help she can get in keeping the school going. A lovely story, very interesting.
February 18, 2017
When I got this book, the title was "Monday's Child" but it is the same wonderful story. Loved this fresh take on what life was like in the 19th century England in the city and in the seaside town of Red Cliffs. Wonderful descriptions of the countryside and Torquay bay make a fine background for this sweet tale of how Sarah Sullivan learns to run the Red Cliffs Ragged School for orphans after inheriting the position from her godfather and making the monumental decision to keep the school going. A true feminist ahead of her time, Sarah is a wonderful character and she deserves a second chance at happiness just like the second chance she is giving these children that no one wants. Hints of romance with Sarah's former suitor and the schoolmaster (will he be something more than a friend?) take a backseat in many ways to the tender and often hilarious antics of the children, townsfolk and wonderful staff at the Red Cliffs facility. Thanks for the win! A different book to check out if you have the chance!
October 27, 2016
The school
Another brilliant story. We have now had three wonderful stories and I just hope Linda decides to help us by writing the next part of the story. I'm sure the school has more to give up.
Another brilliant story. We have now had three wonderful stories and I just hope Linda decides to help us by writing the next part of the story. I'm sure the school has more to give up.
January 20, 2017
Enjoyable story of an orphan in the early 1900's. Key to the story is Sarah, a twenty two year old who is asked, by her Uncle, to help with the orphans. The story holds the reader's interest without being too emotional.
September 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, it's one of those that makes you think just how lucky you are. I truly hope there will be a sequel.
November 19, 2016
really enjoyed this 1st book of the series, I look forward to reading the next and hopefully more
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews