The Ragamuffins

by Anna King

Set at the turn of the century (1890s - 1900s) in the East End of London it's about a baker, Arthur, who marries the nave 18-year-old Ellen after her parents were killed in a fire. Agnes, who has helped in the bakery for many years, is jealous of Ellen because she's in love with Arthur herself. She is more angry when she learns Arthur plans to sack her as Micky, a boy Ellen has befriended, can do her job more cheaply and better. She decides to get her revenge by getting Micky caught stealing. Micky is thrown in prison and worries about his eight-year-old sister, Molly, who is on her own (they ran away from a workhouse) and, indeed, Molly goes missing. Agnes regrets her actions and she and Ellen search high and low for Molly. The other strand of the story is Ellen's attraction for a lad of her own age and she's torn between duty to her kind, if seemingly elderly husband and this young attractive lively lad.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

Anna King is the pseudonym of Josephine Carr, a writer formerly published by HarperCollins, NAL/Penguin, and Dial Books for Young Readers. She's delighted to embrace independent publishing with her new company, Three Kings Books (also publishing Joseph King with novels CRACK and EVIL DOES IT, currently available for Amazon's Kindle).

Reviews

[Michelle Binner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance & rivalry in London's East End. Soon got into the story and the buzz of East End London at the end of the 19th century.

[Andrew Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

It is a book I have read in the past just after publication and have wanted to re-read for a few years but could never find it in my local libraries. The story of 14 year old Mickey and his 8 year old sister Molly and their fight to survive since escaping the workhouse where they are sent following their parents death and the problems that they encounter especially the want to find safe accommodation, work for Mickey and escape from the pervert who wants Molly is compelling and coupled with all the side stories that have such an impact and relevance on the story of Mickey and Molly makes for an excellent read.

[Geraine M. Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Story

Hard to put this book down. It kept my Interest throughout. Anna King presents a story that touches on the depravity of humankind but in the end kindness and love triumph. Great Read!