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The Girl with the Amber Comb
Orphaned at birth, Eliza lives with her beloved Grandparents in a waterlogged Somerset cottage surrounded by willow beds where she ekes out a living making laundry baskets and eel traps. Although poor she is content, until childhood friend Clem, regales her with tales of his adventures along the river and she begins to wonder what life is like beyond the Droves.
When fate brings handsome, wealthy Theo to her workshop she is instantly attracted and a rosy future beyond the Droves beckons. Only things don't go to plan and naive Eliza finds herself in Lavender House where she is expected to care for gentlemen in a way she never imagined. Forced to flee for her life, she ends up in a woollen mill run by a corrupt foreman, working for crumbs and pennies with only her grandmother's comb in her pocket.
Now she knows what matters in life – but is it too late? And will she ever be able to return home to those who love her?
Set amongst the stunning wetlands of Somerset, this tale of triumph and tragedy will delight fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2020
8 people are currently reading
45 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2020
This is a cracker of a story!! If you love your nitty-gritty; Dickensian-esque saga’s, then this is the book you have to read. I hadn’t read any of Linda Finlay’s books before this, honestly, I must walk around with my eyes shut while living in a bubble. How Linda’s books have passed me by, who knows, but I will certainly be seeking out more of her work.
Set in Victorian Somerset the story opens to young Eliza taking on the bulk of the families basket making business after the death of her greatly loved grandmother (or grammer) At seventeen she wants more in her life than to make laundry and eel baskets all day while caring for her grandfather (gramfer) She cares deeply for her gramfer and she loved her grammer so to lose her and to see how her gramfer struggles really break her heart.
When handsome Theo arrives at her little workshop she falls in love with him, he is the very embodiment of every girl’s dream; handsome, charming, wealthy. But as you might expect, all won’t be roses and happiness where he is concerned. One thing leads to another and Eliza first finds herself in the questionable Lavender House where she ends up fleeing to save her life and then she ends up in a wool mill with nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and her most prized possession; her grandmother amber comb.
Anyone who has read a review of mine, or follows me on social media will know how much I love historical’s where the leading character is from a working-class background, honestly, it is such a breath of fresh air to read a book set in the Victorian era where the whole focus isn’t on the aristocracy or the well-to-do families of the time. The leading lady is a very down-to-earth, liable and relatable young woman who has stars in her eyes and big dreams and wishes in her mind. But she is also a very loyal, caring and a genuinely lovely person wants to do the right thing as much as she wants an adventure.
There isn’t a single word I can say against this book, I loved the characters; whether good or bad each one brought something to the story, there is a realism that instantly grabs you and transports you to the era, the historical detail is so brilliantly researched yo the plot is engaging, I swear you will age ten years while reading it as you follow Eliza on her and at times unsavoury journey from her being a naïve little country miss from Somerset to a world-weary woman aged beyond her years. You will laugh and cry in equal measure, your heart will weep for Eliza at times and then burst with joy in other moments, but this is what you want from a historical fiction; you want to be bombarded with every human emotion as you read this young woman sorry tale.
It is without a doubt that The Girl with the Amber Comb is an engaging, captivating, authentic, richly detailed and beautifully written book. I would say one thing though – nothing bad, I promise – only I wouldn’t say it was a women’s fiction saga, I would say it’s more for those who are first starting to explore historical fiction, for those who are just dipping their toes into the historical fiction/saga waters and find that they love the genre, maybe even a young adult. It’s an easy to read book, one that you can dive into and instantly becoming carried away and one that you can easily devour in a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Set in Victorian Somerset the story opens to young Eliza taking on the bulk of the families basket making business after the death of her greatly loved grandmother (or grammer) At seventeen she wants more in her life than to make laundry and eel baskets all day while caring for her grandfather (gramfer) She cares deeply for her gramfer and she loved her grammer so to lose her and to see how her gramfer struggles really break her heart.
When handsome Theo arrives at her little workshop she falls in love with him, he is the very embodiment of every girl’s dream; handsome, charming, wealthy. But as you might expect, all won’t be roses and happiness where he is concerned. One thing leads to another and Eliza first finds herself in the questionable Lavender House where she ends up fleeing to save her life and then she ends up in a wool mill with nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and her most prized possession; her grandmother amber comb.
Anyone who has read a review of mine, or follows me on social media will know how much I love historical’s where the leading character is from a working-class background, honestly, it is such a breath of fresh air to read a book set in the Victorian era where the whole focus isn’t on the aristocracy or the well-to-do families of the time. The leading lady is a very down-to-earth, liable and relatable young woman who has stars in her eyes and big dreams and wishes in her mind. But she is also a very loyal, caring and a genuinely lovely person wants to do the right thing as much as she wants an adventure.
There isn’t a single word I can say against this book, I loved the characters; whether good or bad each one brought something to the story, there is a realism that instantly grabs you and transports you to the era, the historical detail is so brilliantly researched yo the plot is engaging, I swear you will age ten years while reading it as you follow Eliza on her and at times unsavoury journey from her being a naïve little country miss from Somerset to a world-weary woman aged beyond her years. You will laugh and cry in equal measure, your heart will weep for Eliza at times and then burst with joy in other moments, but this is what you want from a historical fiction; you want to be bombarded with every human emotion as you read this young woman sorry tale.
It is without a doubt that The Girl with the Amber Comb is an engaging, captivating, authentic, richly detailed and beautifully written book. I would say one thing though – nothing bad, I promise – only I wouldn’t say it was a women’s fiction saga, I would say it’s more for those who are first starting to explore historical fiction, for those who are just dipping their toes into the historical fiction/saga waters and find that they love the genre, maybe even a young adult. It’s an easy to read book, one that you can dive into and instantly becoming carried away and one that you can easily devour in a weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
March 21, 2020
The Girl With The Amber Comb by Linda Finlay is an historical saga set in Somerset in 1834. It is a fascinating account surrounding a kind hearted, plucky young woman.
The reader is full of admiration for the heroine with a huge heart. Although her head is turned, we see the lengths she goes to, to survive. The poor were taken advantage of. Jobs were poorly paid with long hours. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
On life’s journey, friendships are forged. Life is always better when we do it with friends.
The reader learns about the skilled art of weaving as a community pulls together. Resources and food are pooled.
I really enjoyed this account of a time of hardship but where people pulled together. There were those who sought to take advantage but the lasting impression is one of community and love.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The reader is full of admiration for the heroine with a huge heart. Although her head is turned, we see the lengths she goes to, to survive. The poor were taken advantage of. Jobs were poorly paid with long hours. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
On life’s journey, friendships are forged. Life is always better when we do it with friends.
The reader learns about the skilled art of weaving as a community pulls together. Resources and food are pooled.
I really enjoyed this account of a time of hardship but where people pulled together. There were those who sought to take advantage but the lasting impression is one of community and love.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
March 21, 2020
I have a little confession to make. Yes yet another one. Although I have a few of Linda's books on my ever increasing 'to be read' mountain, I haven't actually read any of them yet. What a mistake to make. However, my lovely Mammy Ginger Book Geek has read several of Linda's books and she really enjoyed them. We have similar reading tastes and enjoy the same sort of family sagas, so I knew that I was going to be in for a treat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Girl With The Amber Comb' but more about that in a bit.
For me, the cover of 'The Girl With The Amber Comb' was enough to grab my attention initially. Well the lead character does have ginger hair and us ginger haired folk need to stick together. I know that sounds very superficial but it's true. I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this story because there is a fair bit of West Country dialect in there and as I am from the North East of England, I was a bit stumped at times as to what the author meant. However, by my powers of deduction I soon fathomed out what it meant and I then started to enjoy the story a lot more. Reading this book soon became an addiction and it was an addiction that I wasn't willing to break. I think that part of the reason for this addiction was the fact that I warmed to Eliza so well and I ended up feeling quite protective of her, so of course I had to keep reading to see what fate had in store for her. I kept everything crossed that she would get the happy ever after ending that she so deserved. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out how the story concluded grew and grew. Then all too quickly I reached the end of the book, which I was gutted about. I don't mean that to sound like I was disappointed with how the story ended but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn't want the book to end.
'The Girl With The Amber Comb' is really well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and she gradually draws you into the story. The author has created storylines which will tug on even the toughest of heartstrings. I found myself becoming emotionally involved with the book to the extent that I felt myself well up on more than one occasion over something I had read and I found that I wanted to jump inside the book to defend Eliza and to give her a shoulder to cry on. Linda Finlay uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Girl With The Amber Comb' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Linda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
For me, the cover of 'The Girl With The Amber Comb' was enough to grab my attention initially. Well the lead character does have ginger hair and us ginger haired folk need to stick together. I know that sounds very superficial but it's true. I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this story because there is a fair bit of West Country dialect in there and as I am from the North East of England, I was a bit stumped at times as to what the author meant. However, by my powers of deduction I soon fathomed out what it meant and I then started to enjoy the story a lot more. Reading this book soon became an addiction and it was an addiction that I wasn't willing to break. I think that part of the reason for this addiction was the fact that I warmed to Eliza so well and I ended up feeling quite protective of her, so of course I had to keep reading to see what fate had in store for her. I kept everything crossed that she would get the happy ever after ending that she so deserved. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out how the story concluded grew and grew. Then all too quickly I reached the end of the book, which I was gutted about. I don't mean that to sound like I was disappointed with how the story ended but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn't want the book to end.
'The Girl With The Amber Comb' is really well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and she gradually draws you into the story. The author has created storylines which will tug on even the toughest of heartstrings. I found myself becoming emotionally involved with the book to the extent that I felt myself well up on more than one occasion over something I had read and I found that I wanted to jump inside the book to defend Eliza and to give her a shoulder to cry on. Linda Finlay uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Girl With The Amber Comb' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Linda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
March 24, 2020
If you enjoy a really good read of a young woman competing against the odds with a wealth of research behind it, this is definitely the book for you. Eliza is a strong minded woman with a great deal of determination combined with a certain innocence, and is the central character in this well paced book. Although there are some challenges for Eliza in this well written book, there is swift resolution and no repetitive angst. Set in the 1850s, this is a book full of colour and beautiful descriptions of Somerset and willow beds which are growing the means of making the baskets and traps that Eliza is known for locally. Featuring characters that are well brought to life, this is a book of a woman’s adventures in the mid nineteenth century which moves along well, as Eliza is faced with the challenges and choices of the age. A book of place, people and much more, this is a really good read on many levels, and I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
Eliza is looking after her grandfather in a small cottage as he tends his willow beds in Somerset. The research which is reflected in the life and work of this young woman must have been tremendous, but at no point gets in the way of the story. In the absence of her much loved grandmother, Eliza must make baskets as well as cook and clean. She also raises funds by growing and selling vegetables with her good friend Clem who runs a sort of delivery service on the waters which can prove the only way of transporting goods locally. Clem is obviously attracted to his life long friend Eliza, but at the age of seventeen she wants to see more of the world and meet more people. A mysterious and special stranger changes her life, and she gains some interesting experiences. When she does depart the area of her birth, she soon finds that life is far more dangerous and difficult than she could have imagined, and it is only because of her quick wits, survival instinct and more that she moves on. Other ways of life present themselves to a young woman who applies her skills thoughtfully, and who makes a sacrifice for a friend.
This is a book which conveys well the feelings of a young woman who grows up in what appears to be a limited local area, and who has certain experiences. It is rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer. Although I had little knowledge of the enormous effort that goes into growing, tending and making willow baskets and the many uses to which they were put, this is a novel which manages to convey a great deal of knowledge to the reader in a lively way. Eliza is an enormously attractive character who really comes to life through this novel, and I would be keen to seek out more books by this talented and memorable author.
Eliza is looking after her grandfather in a small cottage as he tends his willow beds in Somerset. The research which is reflected in the life and work of this young woman must have been tremendous, but at no point gets in the way of the story. In the absence of her much loved grandmother, Eliza must make baskets as well as cook and clean. She also raises funds by growing and selling vegetables with her good friend Clem who runs a sort of delivery service on the waters which can prove the only way of transporting goods locally. Clem is obviously attracted to his life long friend Eliza, but at the age of seventeen she wants to see more of the world and meet more people. A mysterious and special stranger changes her life, and she gains some interesting experiences. When she does depart the area of her birth, she soon finds that life is far more dangerous and difficult than she could have imagined, and it is only because of her quick wits, survival instinct and more that she moves on. Other ways of life present themselves to a young woman who applies her skills thoughtfully, and who makes a sacrifice for a friend.
This is a book which conveys well the feelings of a young woman who grows up in what appears to be a limited local area, and who has certain experiences. It is rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer. Although I had little knowledge of the enormous effort that goes into growing, tending and making willow baskets and the many uses to which they were put, this is a novel which manages to convey a great deal of knowledge to the reader in a lively way. Eliza is an enormously attractive character who really comes to life through this novel, and I would be keen to seek out more books by this talented and memorable author.
March 14, 2020
The Girl with the Amber Comb is a captivating glimpse into the life of a young country girl in Victorian England. Set in the time of The Great Exhibition, the story follows Eliza’s search for adventure and romance as she seeks to escape the hardship of living in her grandfather’s cottage and weaving baskets from the Somerset willow. What at first appears to be a place of expensive haute couture and luxury becomes a dark world of ‘Madams’ and Courtesans as Eliza learns that luxury and adventure come at a cost.
Like all Linda Finlay’s novel’s this one is full of authentic language and descriptions that draw you in to Eliza’s world. It is an engrossing story with twists and turns you won’t see coming. With its well drawn characters and realistic details The Girl with the Amber Comb is highly recommended. A must read for lovers of historic coming of age stories or anyone who wants to lose themselves in a compelling drama about conquering adversity and discovering what really matters in life.
With thanks to HQ for providing an advanced copy for review.
Like all Linda Finlay’s novel’s this one is full of authentic language and descriptions that draw you in to Eliza’s world. It is an engrossing story with twists and turns you won’t see coming. With its well drawn characters and realistic details The Girl with the Amber Comb is highly recommended. A must read for lovers of historic coming of age stories or anyone who wants to lose themselves in a compelling drama about conquering adversity and discovering what really matters in life.
With thanks to HQ for providing an advanced copy for review.
March 11, 2020
Eliza Priddle only seventeen year's old, takes over her grammer Mary's business after her death making quality baskets laundry eels and sparred traps, only her and her gramfer George live in the droves in sledge moor. Clem Galton wants more out of his relationship with Eliza but flame haired she isn't ready for a commitment, till she meets Theodore Seymour and they become close, devastation is ahead for them both that stops them from been together. Her gramper gives Eliza a beautiful amber comb that belongs to her grammer and she treasures it forever. more heartache is to follow for this girl and she finds herself in the hands of Madam Goodtime in lavender house bridgwater it's a live in job, but what has she got in store for her life ahead? Eliza's journey of survival will put tears in your eyes, with added humour and happy times, i just loved reading this book, I couldn't fault anything about it, it's definitely a heartbreaker right to the end.
March 17, 2020
Linda Finlay writes a wonderful atmospheric story that draws you in along side Eliza as she makes the baskets that were her grammer Marys busines,.she lives with gramfer George in the droves.Clem wants more from Eliza than he is getting but will things change when Eliza meets Theodore Seymore.5*
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September 20, 2020I couldn't read more than a quarter of this book.... didn't like the style of writing and there were way to many things that I couldn't agree with in the story line and characters.
October 12, 2020
A good saga about a woman finding out her parentage and love in the victorian era
June 30, 2022
3.5 stars
July 19, 2023
Loved this story, although suspenseful at times.
March 31, 2024
Enjoyed reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews