The Buffer Girls

The Buffer Girls #1

by Margaret Dickinson

1920 in the Derbyshire Dales and Walter Ryan has returned from the war a broken man. It falls to his son and daughter, Josh and Emily, to keep the family candle-making business going. The Ryan children grew up with Amy Clark, daughter of the village blacksmith, and Thomas 'Trip' Trippett, whose father owns a cutlery business in Sheffield. Romance blossoms for Josh and Amy while Emily falls in love with Trip, but she is unsure if the feeling is mutual. When Martha Ryan uproots her family to Sheffield, Emily finds employment as a Buffer Girl polishing cutlery at a local factory, but the future isn't all shiny...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

438 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2017

About the author

Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by many further titles including Plough the Furrow, Sow the Seed and Reap the Harvest, which make up her Lincolnshire Fleethaven Trilogy. She is also the author of Fairfield Hall, Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls. Margaret is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a wonderful read by Margaret Dickinson. It was well researched and included lots of details of the cutlery making industry in Sheffield in the 1920's. The story, although sometimes predictable had likable characters and had a few unexpected twists too. I found it an easy read that kept my attention, Margaret Dickinson has a talent for transporting you back in time to a different era.

[Hannah Polley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book after reading ‘The Clippie Girls’ and loving it. This book didn’t quite match up to that one but I still enjoyed it and I felt more invested in it after you learn about Amy’s pregnancy. I don’t think it helps that Mrs. Ryan is such an unlikeable character.

A predictable happy ending and everyone tied off nicely with marriage. A good read.

[Ammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like the book didn't really go anywhere much, not so gripping story line

[Susan Mcknight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice read from Margaret Dickinson, nicely researched enjoyed how it all turned out in the end.

[Aadilakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really decided to test my patience lol. But oh,I must say,what a beautiful book! Much respect for Margaret! <33

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story. Could not stop reading. A real page turner. Insight into post World War one. The hardships endured and how true love triumphs.

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been wanting to read this for some time and also have the sequel too. For fans of sagas this is a great little read. I warmed to most of the characters and am interested to see where the story will go next.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Margaret Dickinson book. I really like her style. I was compelled to keep reading.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been brought up in the peaceful village of Ashford-on-the Water in the Derbyshire Dales, life in Sheffield is a big shock to the members of the Ryan family. They had moved there to satisfy mother Martha’s ambitions for her son, Josh, even though the city is not good for her husband, Walter, a broken man since his return from WWI. Both Josh and Emily resent the move because both have left the love of their lives behind. At heart, Josh is a country boy and can’t wait to get back to marry his childhood sweetheart, Amy, while Emily discovers that she has a flair for business by starting up a business involving the buffing of cutlery made by the legendary ‘little mesters.’ I found the story interesting but I didn’t feel involved with the characters. Josh, in particular, I found to be a bit wishy-washy and I was amazed that the so-called astute Emily couldn’t see behind the Dugdale family façade of respectability. A bit disappointing all round.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buffer Girls is a story set in 1920's Derbyshire Dales , The story centres around The Ryan Family, there father Walter comes back from WW1 a different man and doesn't talk after his experiences in the Trenches. Josh and Emily are the son and daughter and they are to keep the
candle making business going that was there great granddads. Martha wants her son to be a good proper business man and so she has the family leave there home in Derbyshire and move to Sheffield.

City life isn't the same and very different then what Emily and Josh are used to,
Josh is engaged to Amy his friend he has had all his life.

How will city life compare to what they had in the country?
Emily finds employment as a Buffer Girl in a local factory polishing cutlery.


I really loved this book. giving it a 5 star rating, great story line and very well written.
This book is the first in a series

[Melita Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book. It's clear that Dickinson as thoroughly researched the cutlery making industry by the ease she writes about it and centres the story around it. Other bits come in like PALS, womens votes etc. if you want a good, easyknit enjoyable read this is one for you.

[Caroline Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book good easy to get into read

[Judith Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Dickinson is clearly an excellent author of historical fiction. Her books are what I would term an easy read, with uncomplicated non traumatising plots. I did begin to waiver a little with the story about half way through but was still very keen to know the ending. I knew from reading some of her previous novels that the ending would be pleasing with everything concluded nicely. The ending was somewhat predictable but not the way the ending came about. I’ve given 4 stars as Dickinson is a great novelist with nothing to hugely criticise but it’s definitely not a gripping, can’t put down book.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from one glitch, I loved this book. It is well-constructed, with lots of historical detail that is added with a light touch. In particular I liked the character of the ambitious Martha - not because I liked her as a person, but because she was so well-drawn - an excellent piece of characterisation. But there is an unfortunate glitch. A young girl makes a choice that is a 21st century choice. It is not a choice she would have made 100 years ago; and even if she did, her father and other adult well-wishers would have overridden her, because that was the way of society at the time.

[Samantha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was astonishing to read.
I didn't expect anything to happen. I was hooked to the story.
The family move to Sheffield and life is turned around.
The buffer girls really was such a image to bring to life.
Unexpected moments appeared into this story.
Once again Margaret Dickinson has done it again.

Look forward to reading more books.

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an off the shelf pick - what a lucky find! It was hard to put the book down. Warm characters and interesting plot. Themes of suffragettes after WW1, rich v poor, village v city life, love, marriage and babies.

[Giulia Roccato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved the plot and the characters... all of them! Even the evil ones, they are so deep and interesting. It is simply a lovely book for anyone who likes a good mix of hostory and romance! For sure one of the best books I've read this year!

[Toby Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant book about parents' misguided attempts to do what is best for their children. The descriptions of middle England after the great war and Sheffields' bustling cutlery industry and aspects of lawlessness make for good reading.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story with a few twists. Set in Sheffield but with its beginnings in Ashford, Derbyshire - it tells the story of 4 children growing up and going different ways until their paths cross again. There’s ups and downs, tears and laughter. Worthy of a quiet read with a cup of tea.

[Sue Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this book. It was the first Margaret Dickinson book I've read and will not be the last. I have bought a couple more, Welcome Home and Wish me Luck, looking forward to starting these.

[Christine Scott]

Interesting and informative book. Would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. Margaret Dickinson always writes excellent stories and this is one thst once you start reading you can't put it down

[Linda Leedham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. About 2 families who from childhood the children played together grew up and forged business ‘s and how their fortunes both changed. Set just after the World war 2 when times were hard and some would do anything for money

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but very pleasant light reading of special interest to me because of its location.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read by M. Dickinson. Wonderful characters along with a great story line. Well worth recommending.

[Kamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story but everything became a bit too plausible and fell into place too quick towards the end. Good use of descriptive language

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I'd like this because it was set just after ww1 but I was wrong. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes sagas.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous book. You almost feel like your in the book, it’s so well written. The characters are so realistically written too.

[Hali M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing read

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story of gang war and extortion on the hardworking Sheffielders. But the ending was just a bit flat

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book it is about the 3rd time I have read this