Sisters of Gold

Sisters of Gold #1

by Annie Murray

Sisters Margaret and Annie lost their mother years ago, they long for her every day. Their protective and devout father keeps the girls close. But he can’t protect them all the time . . . When a scandal rocks this family unit to their core, the girls are forced to leave their home under a shadow of secrecy.

The girls arrive in the Birmingham’s famous jewellery quarter one stifling August evening to stay with their uncle, goldsmith Ebenezer Watts.

Annie takes up work at a nearby factory, but it’s not the work that interests her. Her kind and soft nature, means that her attention is drawn to the immediate need of her impoverished colleagues and the wretched lives they lead. Meanwhile, Ebenezer employs Margaret as a chain maker. When Margaret meets silversmith Philipp Tallis, she is drawn to him instantly. Margaret is forced to closer to their mysterious man in the cramped workshop, as they create objects of beauty.

But what is it the Sisters of Gold are hiding? Even though they’ve escaped their past once, it can’t stay hidden forever . . .

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2018

About the author

Annie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life has been much harder for sisters Margaret and Annie since their mother died. Their father a minister of the Congragational church has become rigid and hard without his beloved wife. Margaret does her best to please him. Annie often stands up to her father. But then something happens that forces the young women to leave home and seek refuge with their Aunt and Uncle in Birmingham. Being in the city is very different to life in the country. Annie finds work in a nearby factory. Life settles into some sort of rhythm as Margaret learns about the jewellery making business. Can Margaret ever reconcile what happened back home with Charles Barber, assistant in the church to her father? And will she and Annie ever be able to reconcile things with their father?
This story starts in 1904 but does weave backwards to fill the reader in on the dramatic events that brought the sisters to Birmingham. Margaret and Annie are both good characters, and Uncle Eb and Aunt Hatt are lovely caring folk, though not without their blind areas, especially at first when Annie starts helping Lizzie Poole from the factory and her mother and siblings. The plight of the Poole family and fight against poverty and conditions is dire. It is hard to read without being affected.
The setting is conveyed well and I learned a lot about jewellery making in this engaging historical fiction. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their stories. Young neighbour Daisy is a delight and then there is her single father Philip who is an interesting character.
A highly enjoyable read despite some sad moments. Given the circumstances with Charles, I wasn’t convinced about a decision Margaret makes towards the end of the book. It seemed a bit out of character for her. And I wasn’t convinced by the resolution. But those points aside, it is still a really good read that a lot of readers will certainly enjoy. Another good read by this author.

[Mary Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a read - a wonderful experience

This novel is beautifully written, and enthralling.

The research undertaken by the author into the jewellery business at the time of the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century gives a depth to the storyline

The pace of the events have you not wanting to put the book down as you need to know the outcome of each.

A book that I found to have every element needed - a thoroughly good and engrossing read, which I highly recommend to lovers of historical sagas. This is one of the best I have ever read.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing book i did really enjoy it

[Lou Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to rate this one because... I loved it, I was wrapped up in the drama, I love historical fiction in general and the characters and dialogue were good. I whipped through it, it was so good. BUT... when it got to close to the end a few details happened that jarred with the rest of the story and I was struck by the unlikeliness of it. Margaret, when faced with her attacker, not only greets him, but agrees to go to on a train with him?? Take a picnic?? I know that she had complicated feelings towards Charles but I feel like the sexual attack affected her so much that she would have done anything but go-made something up-said that she wasn't well, broke down weeping. I really don't think that, even with her desire to resolve the situation and make peace, that she would have agreed to go on a day trip with him, she would have been scared. And then also I think that there should have been some sort of resolution of the fact that she would be scared of sex, as a result and this would be hovering over her head when she agreed to marry Phillip. There needed to be some sort of understanding that we (as readers) witnessed between Phillip and Margaret that he wouldn't rush her into sex or that it would be different with him, just to get this resolved, rather than swept under the carpet.. A third thing was that Annie and Margaret forgave their father which jarred with me as well. He believed the attacker rather than his own daughters and then they just go 'Ok, you've said sorry now so we forgive you'-this process should have been longer. Maybe it could have been resolved-ish but both sisters could have agreed to work on trusting their dad again, rather than a simplistic 'oh, you're sorry-that's fine, we're a family again!'
Anyway, -these are plot issues that didn't work for me. But I can't escape the fact that despite these, I still loved it.

[brenda young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another great book by this author , loved getting to know the characters and although the book went back to what had happened then back to the present time in the book it doesn't distract you, would really recommend it .

[Sheila Higgs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read but very interesting background. I learnt a lot about jewellery making in Birmingham in the past.

[Katie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because of a family connection with the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, but I knew that it would be a well-written saga regardless of the setting. Annie Murray's books achieve a real sense of place - and of time, in this case the turn of the century when Birmingham was still very much the 'workshop of the world' but was also, like any big city of that era, a place of extreme poverty and deprivation. The characters were engaging, and the presence of two heroines rather than one was just a bonus - I was caught up in their adventures as both battled to find their true direction in life. Annie Murray has a rare ability to capture the atmosphere of Birmingham; her knowledge of the place and its history shines through but never intrudes on the story. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The subtle differences between the classes made an interesting story, as there was always plenty going on. As well as executing an involving narrative, Annie Murray has created characters who are very real and authentic. It is really useful to have a list of the books and research carried out by the author. I look forward to reading some of the historical background. Thank you Annie.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Annie Murray's prose sank into my mind like rain into parched turf. It takes great skill to produce something so easily read and which makes you turn 'just one more page'. I hadn't read fiction for a while - too busy with other matters. I've missed this feeling!

The plot did leave resolution quite late; I was beginning to wonder if it would be a case of 'continued in next book' - happily not. This story was more gripping near the end than I'd expected, and I fairly raced through the second half.

A big cast of characters, so I was left wondering about what happened next, to one or two, after I closed the book. However, it would be impossible to tie up every single loose end...and in general it was as satisfying as you know it will be with Murray. I suppose I had just fallen in love with the vivid characters and didn't want the puppets to go back into their box!

Themes of religion, hypocrisy and how to truly do good in the world, the beauty of practical art, self-deception, over-protection, real equality in marriage, feminism, bourgeois attitudes, bereavement, grinding poverty and hope. Life's rich tapestry with a human touch. Plus lots of interesting detail about how jewellery was made in the 1900s - and the excitement of the new design ideas. The thrill of seeing colour photographs, too!

One tiny mistake in the last chapter with a surname - did you spot it?

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, my second book from Annie Murray.
I noted that she really does her home work regarding the book she's working on.
The appreciation she shows at the end of the book adds to the readers understanding of what it takes to tell a convincing tale.
No silly coincidences, and all quite believable.
Well done Annie, a few more like this and you could be my 2nd favourite author :-)

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by this amazing historical fiction author. It’s hard hitting and emotional but the sisters were written so great. My only niggle was that one of the side storylines wasn’t wrapped up as well as I wanted it to but that’s a small niggle. I’m general it’s a great book and one I’m glad to end the month on.

[Holly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story! Annie Murray a very good author keeps you entranced in her story
This is about two sisters who went to live with their Aunty and Uncle due to a bad secret.

This is a story about them beginning their lives again, meeting new people and help and falling in love

Can’t wait to read book two! Already ordered waiting for it to arrive

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret and Annie have obeyed their father until a terrible sin is committed against one of them by someone their father sees as a friend. Fleeing to Birmingham the girls stay with their uncle and his family. Each day they gain strength to renew their lives, regaining strength and becoming themselves again.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters of gold

This book rates more than five stars. I loved it from the first page to the last. Even learning new things to make. The girls are delightful and the story takes you in and has you sitting on the edge of your chair. A must read.
Thank you Annie Murray xx

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. You can’t help but empathise with the characters of Margaret and Annie. A great story that you can’t put down. Lovely that it’s set so close to home and mentions local places Worcester and Alcester.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie does not disappoint. She had me captured with this story. A real virtual page turner. Two sisters,a rigid father, a bad man, a deceased mother,a destitute family,a loving aunt and uncle and in the end a good ending.

[Susan Cilia]

A very interesting and lovely novel about the jewellery industry in Birmingham in the 1900's.
Sisters Margaret and Annie go to live with their aunt and uncle and discover a new life to the one they were raised in.
a heartwarming story.

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially started this before Christmas but left off to read an ebook from the library. Went back to it this week. Bit slow for the story to develop but in the end found it very enjoyable and now looking forward to the next in the series. Gold stars all round.

[Carol Anne]

No rating because I can’t remember reading it.. So.. thanks Kindle 👏
Very vaguely remembered it when I read the synopsis. Back in those days, 2018 .. B.C.
aka before COVID… and new to GoodReads I kept forgetting to rate most of the books I read. :(

[Rachel Muumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story with great characters that really pull you in.

[Trudie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I love Annie's books but I struggled to get into this for some reason. I did enjoy the 2nd half of the book though

[Penny Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to start but got better. Usual family saga.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn’t get into this, really wanted to but no.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book and enjoyed the setting in Birmingham. My only concern was an English author using American spellings!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story. I really enjoy Annie Murray's writing. I enjoyed the metal smithing side of it too.

[Sanjana Ashok · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once the book got started after about 3 chapters, this book fas really good and I couldn't put it down

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I'm from a Jewellery Quarter family, this couldn't have been more perfect. Maybe slightly biased.

[Sammi Heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, sad then happy ending.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the story but I felt it was very slow.