Well, this was a little different to my usual reads. In a good way, I hasten to add. I do have to admit though that it did take me a wee while to get used to the author's style of writing, and get to grips with who and where and when initially but, when I did, it was all plain sailing from there on in.
When we first meet Peggy, in Dublin in the '50s, she is running a brothel. She has two constant girls and others that come and go. She didn't aspire to become a madam, not at all, but being forced into an abusive marriage meant that the path she wanted to take was not available. Once free of her husband though, Peggy becomes a midwife but, again, things happen to cause that venture to go south; via prison. With very limited options available, she sets up as a madam basically to make ends meet. But life still finds a way of making her suffer. There's police to keep on side, hoodlums to keep at bay and her girls to protect. She also has a little side-line and when things go horribly wrong there, she has no other option than to try and flee. Then a letter offers up a sliver of a silver lining. Could she really start again? Or is she just destined never to win in life?
Even having finished this book I am still unsure as to whether I actually liked Peggy. Sure, she's made a few bad life choices, well, maybe more than her fair share, and I am no way projecting my morals and values on her, but I am still a little undecided as to whether things really needed to get quite as out of hand as they did. Maybe with even just a couple of differences fewer people would have got hurt along the way. And people did get hurt both directly and indirectly by her hand. Anyway, they did and that's that. It did make for a really great story all told though; her shenanigans I mean. Notwithstanding all the stuff thrown at her, she never gave in and that in itself has got to be admired. There was always that little glimpse of hope on the horizon, often though, sadly just out of reach. We really had a little bit of everything in this book. Not slung together though, more neatly and seamlessly interwoven by the author. Delivered in quite an emotional way too.
Plotting was excellent, especially all the little interconnected things that happen along the way. Small things, some easily missed but most expanded on later. I do love that when it is done well; as it is here.
It was also a rather fascinating glimpse into what was happening around and about Dublin in the 50s. The attitudes, the ways of life, boy how things have changed. But it also depicts the start of something really quite new, and very special. I am not going to spoil it with details here though but it was also fascinating in an historical way.
All in all, a gripping, albeit rather harrowing, story that kept my attention nicely throughout, leaving me satisfied at the end. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I found this an interesting read as it was a mixture of historical fiction as well as crime thriller. It did take me a while to get into but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great fast paced book, great strong characters, hopeful for another story about Peggy and what happened next.

Peggy runs a whorehouse. She used to find homes for unwanted children until she was caught. She also does abortions on the side. One day she accidently kills one of her customers when things are kicking off with one of her girls and things very quickly have to change. This is quite a “wordy” read with vivid excellent descriptions. It did take me awhile to get into it. Whilst reading i kept wondering what time period it was set in as other than the mention of a radio and a car it could have been anywhere from Victorian times to modern day although it reads as an historical novel. The rise of women and the change in how they are treated by men. An unusual read.(rest of links on publication day)

This story is set in Dublin in the 1950s and starts off with a dark and deep prologue to capture the readers appetite fast. This is a brilliant story and different from the every day thrillers we usually read. This is crime, suspense and historical fiction together which has made an amazing story I devoured.

The Abandoned is well written, easy to read, fast paced and contains short chapters. I could easily have finished this in one sitting and was very impressed. I enjoyed every minute reading this story, I was hooked. I am a big fan of historical fiction and this really is a book I loved and enjoyed.

I awarded a well deserved five stars and would highly recommend this story to you all, a must buy from me. Brilliant. High expectations are set for future books by Sharon Thompson an author to keep your eye on. A story you won’t forget quickly.

*Please note this is the review I will be using on my blog tour date the 25th January.*