A little late in the day, but it’s such a pleasure today to share my review of the latest book from Louise Douglas, The Emerald Shawl – with apologies that it’s taken me rather longer to write than I intended. Published on 31st July by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and hardcover, and as an audiobook. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’ve very much enjoyed every book Louise has ever written – you’ll find all the many reviews if you pop her name into my search bar – and I’ve been really loving spending time in Morranez with Mira and the Toussaints detective agency, reading her series that started with The Last Notebook (and it’s a series I’d really recommend you try). But, every so often, she writes the most wonderful standalone books with a deliciously gothic edge. The last one, The Secret of Villa Alba, was one of my 2023 Books of the Year – drama and intrigue, the most perfect storytelling, and such a powerful emotional impact (you’ll find my full review here). But if a touch of the gothic is what you particularly enjoy, do try The Room in the Attic (free via Kindle Unlimited) – one of my 2021 Books of the Year, and I can still remember feverishly turning the pages and hardly breathing until its perfect end (you’ll find my full review here). Her latest book is another standalone, this time with a historical setting – and I was so looking forward to it…
1864, Bristol, England
The seamstress is found in the darkened docks, floating, silenced. Those who found her are sure it must be a tragic accident, probably the result of too many drinks in a nearby public house. But journalist Nelly Brooks recognises the dead woman immediately – Nelly has her emerald shawl in her bag.
Because they had met just one day before, when the seamstress had begged Nelly to investigate the death of the woman who’d given her that same shawl – a wealthy man’s wife. Nelly had tried to insist that her job at the newspaper is only meant to be writing about the best ways to darn a sock or to decorate a drawing room. She’s not meant to actually investigate anything. That’s a job for a man.
But the seamstress trusted her, and Nelly knows she must find out the truth. Even though her investigation will bring her up against the great and the good of the city; with connections that go as high as the crown. And she will have nothing but her wits to ensure she does not become a murderous man’s next victim…
Bestselling author Louise Douglas returns with darkly gothic historical novel of love, murder, madness and secrets, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Jane Eyre.
Oh my goodness, what a read – such a well-drawn historical setting, an intrepid and very sympathetic heroine in Nelly, a whole cast of characters I so enjoyed, and a real gothic chill throughout. And such a gripping story, wonderfully told – I honestly loved every moment.
Nelly had a difficult start in life – with experiences that still haunt her – spending time in an asylum until her caring aunt was able to secure her freedom. She now works on a Bristol newspaper, frustrated that her writing is confined to the women’s page. But an opportunity crosses her path when she’s approached by seamstress Eliza who tells her a horrifying story about the murder of a mother and child, convinced that her aristocratic husband was responsible. Eliza herself ends up dead – found floating in the dock – and that only increases Nelly’s appetite to uncover the truth, however dangerous that might prove to be.
She finds a friend and ally in crime reporter Will – one of the few who takes her ambitions seriously, involving her in another investigation into a missing young woman. And he’s by her side when things become even darker – she’s aware that her movements are being watched, and that she might have some powerful enemies, but she remains undeterred. And not only undeterred – she takes the most immense risks in her pursuit of the full story, endangering both her job and her life, with a range of risky actions that sometimes made me want to look away (but, of course, I didn’t – the narrative was far too gripping!).
I was firmly in Nelly’s corner throughout, with her passion to do the right thing while following her own dream – and the issues of her past, and the way they resonate throughout the story, only made me love her more. She’s very much a woman of her time, fighting against constraints and expectations – and the backdrop of 1800s Bristol, every mirky back street, the shadows hiding who-knows-what, set against the insights into others’ privileged lives, is superbly done. Although things can get a bit disturbing at times – graveyards at night tend to be that way, and perhaps more wisely avoided – the whole story manages to be tremendous fun too, the pace never easing with every new discovery. And I really loved the plotting, the way the different threads of the story were slowly pulled together by its unexpected end – storytelling at its very best.
So, something a little different this time, but still everything I love about the author’s writing. If historical and gothic are something that whet your appetite, with a substantial slice of excitement and danger, this is a book you’re going to love – and its emotional touches are equally perfectly handled. Very much recommended – and most definitely one of my books of the year.
About the author
Louise Douglas is the bestselling and brilliantly reviewed author of novels including The Love of my Life and Missing You – a RNA award winner. The Secrets Between Us was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. She lives in the West Country. Louise’s first book for Boldwood, The House by the Sea was published in March 2020, has sold more than a quarter of a million copies, and was the winner of the RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller award.
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I’m currently reading this and enjoying Nelly’s story.