Dangerous Women

A compelling, immersive book that deftly weaves its beauty and pathos. I'm still thinking about it -- Hilary McKay Fascinating. Gives women without one a voice - a storming read -- Helena Pielichaty Utterly compelling and as finely wrought as the patchwork quilt that inspired the story -- Minette Walters * author of the bestselling The Last Hours * A very fine novel - and, like the quilt it celebrates, a work of love -- Mick Herron Dangerous Women is a successful blend of two genres: a historical novel, inspired by real events, and a murder mystery with a great twist at the end. By the time I was halfway through I was completely gripped, and couldn't put it down -- Wendy Cope Transforms an actual 19th-century sea voyage of female convicts into a striking drama. The ship's young matron chooses a group to sew a presentation quilt, but near their destination, someone stabs one of the quilters. Evocative sketches of those on board reveal the realities of poor women's lives - readers will be rewarded * Publisher's Weekly * A vivid, cleverly-crafted mystery that will keep the reader turning the pages -- Erica James * bestselling author of Letters from the Past * Wonderful, evocative, moving and suspenseful -- Marika Cobbold * author of On Hampstead Heath * A historical episode artfully adapted in a tale that offers glimmers of hope for women discarded by society * Kirkus * Nerves fray, alliances form, and love blooms in this fast paced, well-written novel. This is a great page-turner! * Mystery and Suspense Magazine * A must-read for lovers of fearless historical fiction, and an examination of the shocking treatment of women in our not-too distant past -- Alma Katsu * author of The Deep * Combines historical fiction with tremendously gripping entertainment. Who on a ship of convicted women sailing from London to Tasmania is a murderer? -- Amanda Craig * author of The Golden Rule * A ship of convict women - all with their secrets - on the way to a new life in a new land, but facing danger all the way - this is a locked room mystery to end all locked room mysteries! -- Sophia Bennett * author of The Windsor Knot * A fabulous, page-turning novel that kept me gripped. Bringing together murder, convicts and patchwork quilting - all aboard a ship bound for Australia - it's impossible not to become engaged with these women and their individual plights - especially once everyone becomes a suspect -- Jane Harris * author of The Observations * A gripping exploration of female solidarity in a time of crisis and claustrophobia. Hope Adams sets the grubby injustices of a misogynistic legal system against the beauty of creating a work of art and, through that art, stitching together an unlikely community -- Caroline Lea, author of <i>The Glass Woman</i> Well-written, engaging and thoroughly compelling. I love it when forgotten histories are brought to light, and touch the reader so that they immediately want to know more -- Elizabeth Chadwick Dazzling. Adams takes the fascination history of a convict ship and brings it to life in a captivating story filled with intrigue and dark secrets. An immensely satisfying tale of guilt, innocent and second chances -- Emma Rous * author of The Au Pair * An intriguing murder-mystery, skilfully written and bursting with colour and life -- Lucy Atkins * author of Magpie Lane * A gorgeous and compelling story with vibrant characters. I was fascinated by the novel's inspiration and the real life story of the Rajah Quilt -- Rachel Hore Beautifully written, Hope Adams has woven together an epic sea voyage with an intriguing murder mystery to make an unputdownable read -- Katie Fforde