The Emerald Shawl paints a dark yet nonetheless truthful picture of the limited agency possessed by 19th-century women. While our heroine Nelly is to be admired for claiming a degree of independence as the Bristol Courier’s first woman reporter, everywhere she turns, she faces reminders of how tenuous a thread that independence hangs from.

Despite the constant threats to her freedom and physical safety and haunting memories of her own traumatic past, Nelly is unwilling to stay quiet when she learns of another woman who had her voice stolen from her, a woman who deserves justice. She throws herself headlong into the investigation even when it means risking all that she's fought so hard to gain.

Douglas’s handling of the desperate situation of women in the time period was spot on, and I appreciated her historical tip of the hat to some notable women who were trying to raise awareness and effect change. While the mystery was interesting, I thought that it was fairly easy to predict how it would end, and after all of that lead-up, a less rushed conclusion would have left me feeling more satisfied.

4 stars.


Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A great read with the historical background really being part of the story! I loved it! Very well researched, the reader gets an accurate portrait of the power of men over women (asylum, marriage, motherhood..) whatever their age is... The town of Bristol is atmospherically painted in shades of grey, with many shadows lurking in its streets. Beautifully done!
I loved Nelly and her strong will to get over the unjust treatment she suffers at the newspaper office, her strong will to recover from a past that is still taunted her. With her feminist mind she throws herself into an investigation which will prove dangerous but also fulfilling somehow.... A plot that kept me on the edge of my (arm)chair, with its ever growing tension! This is the first book in the series, and I hope not to wait too long for the next one.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Thanks to Louise and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Emerald Shawl before the publication date.

The setting for this book is Bristol in 1864, with bustling docks , dirty cobbles, dark narrow alleys and families crowded into insanitary accommodation. Money talks and corruption is rife.

It explores the culture of the era, particularly women’s rights, or rather the lack thereof.

The characters are many and varied, some with colourful backstories, others with very sad lives.

The central character is Nelly Brooks, the first woman reporter at the Courier, albeit that her role is to write articles which will appeal to the women readers (heaven forbid that she should even consider writing about something serious or might upset the sensibilities of the women readers, although I doubt that anyone actually asked the readers for their opinion).
Nelly has a disturbing history before arriving at the Courier and that will impact on her decisions. Her saving grace is her aunt Angela, aka Angel, who, with her wisdom and kind heart, will always be there for Nelly.

Louise has introduced a tiny bit of humour in what is a very sad story by using names for a couple of the characters which reflect their responsibilities ( i.e. Mr Snitch, the timekeeper and Mr Cuddy, the coachman).

I hope that this might be the start of a series.

I really enjoyed this! I love Louise Douglas' books anyway but this is one of her best. The story itself is enthralling and becomes increasingly gripping. The cast of characters - from the office staff to the homeowners Nelly lodges with, to the people in the pubs she meets along the way - are all really well drawn and interesting. I loved the little will-they-won't-they romance too. But it's the setting and the description of the time period that really makes this book. It's atmospheric, so real that the reader can almost smell and taste it, feel the fog and mist. A wonderful read.

The Emerald Shawl is a novel set in Victorian England. Nelly, an aspiring journalist, acquires the shawl, when its owner leaves it behind, after telling Nelly that she has heard that a high ranking gentleman had murdered his wife and new born baby. The very next day Nelly witnesses the woman's lifeless body being pulled out of the docks. Nelly is determined to investigate, despite the consequences being potentially devastating for Nelly herself as she has been rescued by her aunt from an asylum, after her parents at fifteen for giving brith to an illegitimate child. The child is in potential peril also, as her parents have sent her to a reform school, which by coincidence, is in the same town where Nelly is working.

I enjoyed this novel. I am not a great fan of historical novels, but this piqued my interest. The way in which women were at the mercy of their parents and their husbands in times gone past is eye opening and disturbing, with the options open to them being narrow and challenging, and then only if they went against societal norms. However, the mystery at the heart of this novel is well written too and drew me in. I was sorry about some aspects of the endings, but my preferred ending is probably too saccharine and sentimental and not true to the period! Definitely recommended.

This was a descriptive and suspenseful mystery that drew me in from the first pages. I love a strong female heroine and Nelly Brooks did not disappoint. There were certain plot twists that took me completely by surprise, and others I suspected were coming, but not in a way that diminished my enjoyment of the story. Although not everything was resolved at the end, I didn't feel that the story lacked closure. I came away satisfied that all would be well for Nelly in the future. The emerald shawl didn't play as much of a part as I thought it would, given it's the title of the book, but that was really my only disappointment.

4.5 stars!

This story ticked all the boxes for me; 1860s England, a mystery with great characters, easy to follow, and a great wrap-up. Not only was this an enjoyable read, it explored the hardships for women during their childbearing years and how women were at the mercy of the men around them. I highly recommend it!

Thank you, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

This book really drew me in. Set in Bristol in 1864, we meet Nelly, who has had heartbreak in her life. She is following up the murder of Eliza Morgan, who she had met up with the day before. Ruled a drunken slip, Nelly knows there is more and she seeks to find it out. Her job as a reporter is to stick to women’s issues, but she can’t leave this injustice alone. Then a body goes missing from the mortuary. This was a clever plot, with a nice twist at the end. Nelly, Will,and Harriet are all characters I enjoyed, and I hope there is a sequel planned, as there are several threads that could be followed. It was interesting to read that this story was loosely based on two real women, and the use of asylums to control women. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the chance to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for been the eARC.
This is a good book with an engaging protagonist, Nelly, in 1850's Bristol. She had a terrible past, spending 10 years in an asylum after she gave birth to a baby at age 15.
Now she's working as a woman journalist and content. When she's told of the possibility the wife and newborn baby of an M.P., Sir Edward, she wants to investigate and maybe even write about it for the paper. Soon she realizes she's in danger and being followed.
Louise Douglas is one of my favorite authors, I've read all.of her books. This particular book wasn't as compelling as the others, but still very very enjoyable.

Nelly Brooks has always been interested in writing and is happy to be employed at the Bristol Courier newspaper, however she's disappointed that all the editor wants from her are articles pleasing to women. In Victorian England women were seen but not heard and according to the men in their lives should only be interested in fripperies.
Until she meets Eliza Morgan, a seamstress, who tells her the tale of a titled woman murdered by her husband. Nelly takes on the story, unbeknown to her editor, but puts her life and those she loves at risk.
Nelly's character was stoic and determined, I loved how she didn't back away from the threats she received. The storyline was engaging and tense.
The setting was appropriate and descriptive

I usually really like Louise Douglas but really did not think this is one of her best. While the story is ok, I felt the writing style was lacking and the historical setting unconvincing. Think I will stick to her usual fare.

An interesting novel set in times where women were not expected to have a career, but Nelly gets one anyway as a reporter. She longs to do something that does not involve the women's page, such as investigating a crime and when an opportunity arises she grabs it. I will not tell any more, because it would spoil a good story. The story got me hooked from the beginning and the character of Nelly in particular was exceptionally well drawn and I was really interested in what would happen to her, so her character was relatable as well.
I would recommend the book highly.

I started out quite intrigued but this style and storyline is not for me. I did not finish.

I had noted it as a General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers but missed the line way down that elaborated that it was a darkly gothic historical novel. If I had picked that up I would not have asked for a copy to review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Words cannot describe what I felt for this work of art that this novel is. The Emerald Shawl is a brilliant Victorian Era mystery that has a female reporter who dabbles in detective work and has some of the mannerisms of the famous reporter Nellie Bly. I will admit I was on the edge of my seat many times because I was worried that someone else would end up getting killed or even our heroine herself would meet her end. Thankfully it never came to that situation and everything turned out okay in the end.
Our main character is Nelly Brooks who is the first female reporter for her town newspaper. Now Nellie has had a very difficult life what with her parents putting her an asylum as a teenager. Thankfully her aunt managed to get her out. One day she is approached by a woman who has information that the wife of an aristocrat was actually murdered and didn't die in childbirth.
However, shortly after this conversation the woman is found dead. Nelly wants to investigate some more but is discouraged to do so because they don't allow female reporters to investigate murders. Although she does manage to get some help from another reporter named Will to investigate.
Nelly also finds the opportunity to sneak into the manor house undetected. Although does come close to getting caught but manages to sneak out with some very important evidence. As they come across more details they start to wonder what truly happened and eventually the truth to everything does come to light.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

A very atmospheric novel set in Bristol in 1864, Nelly Brooks, first female reporter at the 'Courier', is restricted to writing articles for women. She is frustrated that she is not expected to investigate any crimes. When she is approached by a seamstress who reports a murder, Nelly decides to investigate. With the help of crime reporter Will Delane, Nelly has to overcome powerful opposition to discover the truth.
I loved the Bristol setting and the descriptions of historical events such as the opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. This is a well-written story with realistic characters. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.