Two wives. One lives in Chicago and the other lives in New Orleans. How their lives, and their problems, intertwine will keep you turning the pages in Diane McPhail's The Seamstress of New Orleans.

Good story of one woman who is a seamstress in Chicago when her husband goes missing. Her search for him leads her to New Orleans where she starts working in an orphanage teaching young girls to sew. She meets another woman who invites her to stay at her home in exchange for making a gown for Mardi Gras. Then it gets to the good part.

Can we take a look at this gorgeous cover? Stunning!

It’s 1900 and a new century has dawned and women are making some noise. Fighting for equality in a man’s world.

Alice Butterworth knows all of those rules. She also knows she needs to find a job as it looks like her husband is not going to be returning from his business trip. Desperate and broke, she overhears women talking about Mardi Gras in New Orleans. How a seamstress can flourish there. And Alice is a good seamstress. So to New Orleans, she goes. Carrying a parting gift from the no-good husband. A baby.

She finally arrives at an orphanage where she can stay and teach sewing to the older girls.

Constance is a young mother and wife. Her husband is shady at best. He isn’t coming home either. She knows this for certain. She works very closely with the orphanage and meeting Alice she offers her lodging with her little family while she helps her create a gown for the Leap Year Ball for Mardi Gras. It’s an all-women Krewe which at that time was forward. But she needs something to take her mind off of the fear she feels. Who is the mysterious man following her? And why?

This is a story of women helping women. Of being brave and standing together. While there was quite a bit of Mardi Gras trivia, this was ultimately about empowering women.

NetGalley/May 31st, 2022 by Kensington Publishing Corp. A John Scognamiglio Book

As a history major, I love it when an author can do ACCURATE research and blend fiction with fact in such a way that history comes alive and when you finish the book you run to the web and start researching the topics covered and learn more. Sadly for me, this wasn't one of those books- yes the research was done, and presented well, but the FICTION part was so bleh that I had to literally restart the book multiple times. It was def a case of the book not living up to the hype. I wish I could pin point what it was exactly, but the characters were just lacking the spark that makes you connect with them and for a book about an all-womens krewe, it seemed more about the men in the story and how they affected the women, than how independent and strong they could become without them. It just read wrong, at least for me. Others may enjoy it more- for me the research kept it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

Diane C. McPhail's historical fiction The Seamstress of New Orleans occurs in New Orleans in 1900 during the "first all-female Mardi Gras krewe." McPhail captures the essence and symbolism of this momentous occasion in the emergence of women's rights in her robust characterization of this critical period.

Synopsis:
After her husband's abrupt disappearance, Alice Butterworth is desperate to provide for herself and her unborn child. As Alice searches for her missing spouse, she ends up in New Orleans, where she meets Constance Halstead, also recently widowed. As a result of Constance's admiration of Alice's sewing skills, Constance offers Alice a place to live in exchange for creating a dress for the leap year celebration, Les Mysterieuses Ball. As Alice and Constance become allies, they discover a secret that will forever bond their friendship.

Readers receive a fascinating look at the history of New Orleans and delightful characters that they wish they could meet in The Seamstress of New Orleans. Throughout her descriptive writing, Diane C. McPhail effectively ferries readers into the setting. I recommend this outstanding book to those interested in historical fiction. It is available on May 31st. (4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, A John Scogmaniglio Book, for allowing me to review this novel. Your kindness is appreciated.

Thanks again NetGalle for letting me read an ARC of this book.

This book follows two women. One, Constance, a mother of two little girls part of the New Orleans society. And the other, Alice a seamstress who lives in Chicago. The story begins with Constance following his husband in disguise into a train, where a series of events ends up with him falling from a moving car. Which makes her an anxious widow hopping for the police to find out a truth that will not involve her. Meanwhile Alice, whose husband seem to have disappeared decides to move from Chicago to New Orleans while she hopes to find a way to survive on her own. An orphanage and good friend makes this two woman find each other and come into a mutual agreement that end up in a unique friendship.
The characterization present is incredible and makes you instantly fall for both main characters and their stories. The plot moves along the charters whose lives are now upside down and in need of putting together. A book where defiantly the real protagonist is the sorority and companionship of two women in desperate need for a true trustworthy friend. The historical setting is also something to highlight, the carefulness in which is written makes it clear that the author followed a careful investigation beforehand. A book I could easily recommend to anyone who likes an historical novel with strong female leads.

I am a bit discouraged by this book, as I was expecting more about the Mardi Gras, the parade and the festivities. The story itself is good, but moved slow and is focused on the missing husbands, with lots of things repeated. There were very interesting facts about the time period, the early 1900s when woman were beginning to fight for their own rights. The descriptions of events and locations are excellent. The mystery of the two missing husbands had an unexpected resolution I didn’t see coming. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Two women Constance and Alice who have lost their husbands in two different ways. Alice's husband Howard never returns from a business trip. Alice is left to her own devices since Howard took care of everything. The police are no help to Alice so she takes matters into her own hands. She tries to find out about Howard at his place of business only to find out no one ever heard of him. She then finds herself all alone pregnant and off to try to find answers. She ends up in New Orleans with nowhere to go. Until she meets Constance. Constance has also lost her husband, only Constance thinks she might have had a hand in his death.

Constance needs a ball gown for an event for Mardi Gras and has Alice move into her home to get the dress done. Now I really was looking forward to the ball and what really goes on during a Mardi Gras ball. I was a little disappointed that the author didn't include more of the ball and the part the women played in getting this ball going. I did love the character development of Constance and Alice. They both grew into strong women who wanted to help young women have a better future for themselves. Women helping other women.

I wished the story would have contained more of the history of that era. I loved the time era. I was surprised by the ending. I had no idea that the secret really intertwined both Constance and Alice.in more ways than one. I enjoyed this read and would tell my fellow readers about it.

Thank you NetGalley , Ms. McPhail and the publisher for this ARC.

I was really looking forward to this book and being able to read about New Orleans and Mardi Gras at the turn of the century. While I enjoyed the story, it wasn't what I expected. The majority of the story took place in Constance's home. We don't get a lot about how New Orleans was during the time period or learn a lot about the all female crew for Mardi Gras. The twist seemed fairly obvious from the beginning.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Set against the backdrop of the first all-female Mardi Gras krewe at the turn-of-the-century, Constance and Alice become friends amid life changing experiences and happenstance.

An okay read. For as much as the blurb touts the Mardi Gras aspect, it played a very small part of the story, which was disappointing. I've never read a story based on that topic. I liked that these woman worked through all of the troubling things that happened to them, but it was wearisome how insecure they were while trying to make decisions.

2.75☆

1900 New Orleans is the setting for the first all-female Krewe of Mardi Gras. It is also the setting for the meeting of the two protagonists. Constance, a widowed mother of two is from New Orleans; Alice, seemingly abandoned by her husband, a man of many secrets, travels south in desperation from Chicago where she will eventually meet and combine forces with Constance. Both women are haunted by secrets and unpleasantness and learn to channel these emotions into helping one another and the abandoned young girls in the local orphanage. While creating the perfect Mardi Gras gown for the Les Mysterieuses ball , Alice, provides sewing instruction and Constance finds donations for the needy girls. Threats from the Black Hand and fear of secrets being revealed draw the two women closer. The plot twists in this novel are easily guessed and it becomes more history than mystery. Diane C. McPhail shares with the reader the mindset of fair-minded citizens of that era who realize the necessity to train young women to provide for their own futures as we watch the two friends do the same for themselves
.

A good story with interesting details of Mardi Gras and Chicago. Some bad language and adult themes but overall worth reading. Reviewed by Library staff.

I’ve lived in southern Louisiana all my life, but I didn’t know about New Orleans’ first all female organization, Krewe Les Mystérieuses, until reading Diane C. McPhail’s new novel The Seamstress of New Orleans. This novel sets a murder mystery against the backdrop of Mardi Gras in 1900 New Orleans to create an atmospheric tale that is equal parts dazzling and mystifying.

The Seamstress of New Orleans follows two women, Constance and Alice, with similar stories - both of their husbands have gone missing under peculiar circumstances. When the women meet and bond over costume preparations for New Orleans’ Krewe Les Mystérieuses ball, they become fast friends and support each other in their search for the truth about their husbands’ disappearance.

I’ll admit that I didn’t expect to like The Seamstress of New Orleans quite as much as I did! I was frankly expecting an overwritten historical fiction novel with an informative and important, but less than entertaining, storyline. I was quickly proven wrong! I am usually not a fan of murder mysteries, but McPhail pulled me right into her whodunit with the perfect blend of ominous mood and atmospheric storytelling. This novel never becomes dull or stolid because McPhail effectively switches the narrative from the mystery of the missing husbands to preparations for the Mardi Gras ball in even intervals.

My only fault with this novel is that the characters of Constance and Alice are so closely written that I had trouble distinguishing between their voices in the novel. I often thought I was reading Constance’s story, when it was in fact Alice’s, and because they were so similar, I didn’t realize my mistake until many pages in.

The Seamstress of New Orleans is recommended to readers who enjoy historical mysteries set in the south.

THE SEAMSTRESS OF NEW ORLEANS
by Diane C. McPhail
Kensington Books
Pub Date: May 31

In New Orleans in 1900, two women with tragic losses come together to support each other through a difficult time.

Constance Halstead is a widow whose husband had tremendous gambling debts. She needs a new gown for the first all-woman Mardi Gras krewe but can't afford one.

She volunteers at an orphanage, where she meets seamstress Alice Butterworth, whose husband abandoned her when she was pregnant. When Constance learns how talented Alice is, she offers her a place to live in exchange for sewing a gown.

This fine historical novel boasts atmosphere galore, mysteries and secrets, growing feminism emerging from societal changes, threats from Black Hand gangsters, and one gorgeous gown that gives both women hope. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#TheSeamstressOfNewOrleans #DianeCMcPhail #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #1900NewOrleansfiction #femalefriendships #emergingfeminism #firstallfemalemardigraskrewe #historicalfiction #womensfiction #bookstagramcommunity

I adore historical fiction. I was drawn to this book because it involved sewing and a female takeover of the Mardi Gras krewe, which I use never heard about. Very early into the story, it immediately clicked with me how Alice and Constance were connected.
I loved all the descriptions of the ball gown and the cover art is exquisite. I did question how Constance couldn’t afford a ball gown, but could afford a live in servant and supporting Alice at the same time.
I liked Dorothea and Analee the best out of the characters.
I thought the ending was unresolved with Alice not revealing a major secret to Constance.

This lively mystery weaves together the lives of two women and two places: Constance in New Orleans and Alice in Chicago. Lots of intricate details enhance the journey: from dressmaking to the all-female krewe of Mardi Gras to intrigue concerning the Black Hand, gangsters who controlled the New Orleans Storyville district.

Great plot and characters. Well developed storyline that keeps your attention and doesn't drag on unnecessarily before processing further in the story.
4 Stars
I received this ARC Through Netgalley and Kensington Books for a honest review.

1900, NOLA, Mardi Gras, seamstress, charity, costume-party, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, secrets, mystery, friendship, gangsters****

What could be more entrancing than New Orleans and the brilliant costumery of the Mardi Gras Balls? This rather long story studies the interaction/friendship between two women of strength and determination who are living with fearsome secrets. A bond is formed between them and with other independent minded women of the Krewe who will form the basics of a more independent feminism fostered by the city itself. The publisher's blurb is a very good hook, and I will not repeat it nor give in to the temptation of spoilers. I really liked it.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books, A John Scognamiglio Book via NetGalley. Thank you!

I really wanted to like this book, but I felt it had too many things going on and went in too many directions. I loved the historical feel of New Orleans and the celebrations going on during that time, but I just couldn't buy into the storylines of the women in the story. It felt predictable.

Not exactly the story I was expecting when I picked this one to read. I thought it'd be more involved with the Mardi Gras and the fantastic dresses. There is a bit about the ball and making a costume for it, but the main focus of the story is on a dead husband.

Constance's husband is involved in gambling and all sorts of nefarious deeds in the seedy part of town. He's keeping secrets, so she hops a train and follows him (dressed as a boy).

Alice's husband also keeps secrets...like who he really is. After he goes missing, she finds out that he isn't who he claimed to be. She hops a train to find his mother in Memphis, only to find the address he gave her was for gambling halls. She she hops back on the train and ends up in New Orleans.

A strange story, but a couple of strong women characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.