The Hidden Thread

Anna Butterfield has been sent to live with a wealthy relative, her uncle, a silk merchant, in London. The idea is for her to meet a wealthy, suitable young man who will make a good match. But she falls in love with Henri, a gifted apprentice who longs to one day be a master weaver. The problem is that Henri comes from a lower class and would never be considered a good match for Anna. Henri is all caught up in the growing labor movement that demand workers get fair treatment and wages, another strike against him in Anna’s family’s eyes. This is a thrilling historical about a stong willed, intelligent, independent heroine

In “the Hidden Thread” by Liz Trenow, Anna Butterfield is traveling from Suffolk to her aunt and uncle’s home in London. Her mother is dead following a long illness, and Anna has cared for her and for her father and sister, Jane during this time. In order to be able to provide for her family it is necessary for her to marry well. To this end, she is sent to her aunt and uncle’s home in London. Her uncle is a very successful silk merchant and it is hoped that Anna will be presented to society and thus find a desirable husband.

These are turbulent times in London in 1760. Silk is being smuggled into England at a reduced price and the weavers and cloth makers are losing their jobs because the price of goods has dwindled to the point that people are starving. Smuggled goods bring in no taxes, so the merchants are getting richer while the poor workers are destitute.

On her way to her new home, Anna is aided by two young Frenchmen, whom she later finds to be weavers of fine cloth. This class of society is beneath her, or so her aunt warns. She is forbidden to have any contact with them. Instead, she is paraded in front of a friends’ son, a pompous dandy. The novel continues as we discover how Anna uses her talents to design cloth and is in partnership, secretly, with one of the French weavers to produce silk cloth. After the silk riots threaten her family’s security, she must decide if she wants to be a proper lady in society or pursue her dreams.

You can always count on Ms. Trenow to write an engaging story. Her family had been silk weavers in Suffolk for three hundred years, which inspired this story set during the 18th century.

I was sent a complimentary Kindle copy by NetGalley.com.

This is a fun and light read. It's very well written. The characters are likable and well developed. I will definitely check out more from this author.

This was a lovely easy read by Liz Trenow ful of likable characters abd interesting storyline.

I received this book in exchange for a review.

I gave this 3.5 stars, rounded down rather than up. I really enjoyed the book. It is great tale, with mostly fun, well fleshed out characters and different threads that come together at the end. It's also nice to have a book about a period which isn't that frequently written about - thank God it's not another book about Anne Boleyn. I really enjoyed the weaving part of the story. The detail and the quest for the master piece were really absorbing.

My qualms were really in the writing and the plot set up. It was occasionally clunky. A good portion of the first quarter is spent with the main character telling us how home sick she is. And then how home sick she is. And then again how homesick she is. Perfectly valid emotions, only it grates somewhat with the fact that this trip to London is entirely of her own doing. She is free to go home. Her aunt and uncle, if occasionally edging on rude, are being amazingly generous with her. This is further emphasised by the ending, which has a feeling of things not so much being resolved, as not really having been problems in the first place.

Although there are weaknesses in the book it is still very enjoyable and a fun read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for the ARC of "The Hidden Thread" by Liz Trenow for my honest review. The genre for this novel is historical fiction. Liz Trenow sets the timeline in the 1700s in England describing silk weaving , and the English and French weavers. In addition we see how silk is imported and the tariffs and taxes imposed, as well as rioting from the weavers for a fair wage. The author writes about a challenging industry and times, and describes the conflicts.
One of the main characters, Anna Butterfield leaves the countryside after her mother's death, and comes to the city where her wealthy Uncle sell silk fabrics. It is the hope that Anna will meet a wealthy husband that can also provide for her father and sister. Anna misses the fresh air of the country and her love of drawing and painting realistic pictures of nature. Anna meets Henri, a French immigrant who is an apprentice to be a weaver, and his goal is to become a Master weaver.
Anna and Henri have a complicated relationship. Anna's Aunt and Uncle remind Anna that she is of a certain social class, and has to have relationships within that class.
Annas' drawings and paintings inspire Henri to weave them into his artistic silk tapestry.
The author writes about silk, weaving, betrayal, honor, social class, hope, family, love and vision. I would recommend this novel if you like the genre of historical fiction.

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and this is one of the best I have had the pleasure of reading. The story is rich with decription and the characters are flawless. After Anna's mother has dies she must relocate and live with an uncle where she will hopefully find a suitable mate and be able to support her father and sister. Anna's uncle is a silk merchant and times have been good, but the smuggling business is growing and the prices are cheaper for smuggled silk.
The book is engaging and it is obvious there was much research done before the writing. This is one of my favorite great escape books. It allowed me to be tranported to another place and time.

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Set in 1760's London. When country girl Anna's mother died, her father sends her to the city to live with her well-to-do aunt and uncle to be introduced to a prospective husband. Although she receives an engagement offer from an up and coming lawyer, her heart has fallen in love with a poor silk weaver.

The Silk Weaver and/or The Hidden Thread deeply delves into the trade of 1760's silk weaving including the politics around it. Many historical locations and people are involved in the story, I could imagine the sights and smells as Anna was experiencing them.

Good story and I would recommend this book.

4☆

What a totally brilliant book. Not only did this novel have a brilliant storyline which gripped me from page one, but also had wonderful main characters. I also learned so much about the time period too. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

The Hidden Thread is well-written, well-researched, and very interesting book about silk weaving industry in 18th century London. At the time the industry faced a number of trials: competition from France, wage wars, and tensions between French immigrants and local English people. The book explores all these in detail.

The Hidden Thread is also a love story between talented but poor French silk weaver, Henri, and Anna, a young English woman from a well-off family. Henri is determined to become a master of the craft and rise above poverty. Anna is determined to have a more fulfilling life than what was expected of women at the time. She is an artist and becomes fascinated by fabric design and wants to learn more about it but women like her are not expected to work. Henri and Anna are from different stations and cultures so their love seems impossible and forbidden, and they face many difficult challenges. Will they or won't they get their happy ending? I liked them both very much so I was rooting for them and hoping for the best.

The Hidden Thread has a very interesting premise, compelling and likeable characters, and vivid historical details that make for a great read. It’s a perfect combination of historical fiction and sweet romance, and I really enjoyed it.

After her mother dies, Anna Butterfield is sent to live with her uncle and his family. Right away she meets Henri, who is a silk weaver. Although they are attracted to each other, they come from different classes. This is the story of how their relationship evolves. Along the way, the author give many details about how the silk is produced and woven. I found this to be fascinating. This is a great historical fiction story!

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for this ARC.

Fans of Liz Trenow and those new to her novels will enjoy this one. It's what we've come to know of her style but fresh and new too. A powerful story that will appeal to all ages and heart's

Liz Trenow's The Hidden Thread is a historical fiction/romance novel about the silk weaving trade in 18th c London, inspired by Trenow's family history as silk weavers in Spitalfields, East London.

While researching her family history Trenow learned about Anna Maria Garthwaite, a silk designer who produced naturalistic, accurate designs of flowers for brocades and damasks which appear in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The novel centers around a vicar's daughter, Anna, who comes to live with her aunt and uncle in London. Anna is a very modern woman in her sensibility while conforming to the expectations of her time and class.

Anna's uncle is a prosperous, well-connected, silk mercer. It is hoped that Anna's prospects will be much better in London than in her small village. It is not only for her own sake that Anna must marry well; as pastor of a small church her father lives in a parsonage; he can never retire, as it means he would lose both home and income.

Life in upper crust London is bewildering and constricting for Anna. Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, she both longs for more than her village offers but also rejects the societal values that constrict women's lives. She would like to marry for love but a man with prospects has shown an interest, and regardless of her personal feeling, she knows she should accept him.

Ideally, Anna would like to be an artist. London brings her into connection with several of the great artists of her time, including one who takes an interest in her work.

Upon arrival in London, Anna met an apprentice silk weaver, Henri, a French Protestant refugee who fled to England rather than convert to Catholicism. The Huguenots brought their skill in silk weaving, but like refugees across time, they are reviled.

Anna and Henri feel an attraction they both understand is 'impossible'. Henri learns of Anna's artistic skill and begs her to provide him with a design for the masterpiece he must weave for acceptance as a weaver. Through their relationship, the reader learns about the design history, mechanics, and politics of silk weaving in the 18th c.

The importation of French silk was banned at this time but was in such demand that mercers pirated it into England--including Anna's cousin, putting his father's reputation at risk.

Meanwhile, the silk weavers are asking for fair wages and violence is erupting.

The novel will appeal to readers who enjoy a progressive heroine and a wish fulfillment ending served with a slice of history.

I read Trenow's previous novel The Forgotten Seamstress, in which a woman seeks the history of a mysterious quilt. Read my review here.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

This is an intriguing look at the silk trade in Eighteenth century London. It was very interesting to read about the fabric, the mechanics of weaving, and the skill plus politics in the industry. The author's family still operates on of the remaining silk mills in England. An enjoyable book.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the wonderful advanced reading copy of The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow. I really enjoyed this historical fiction story, set in England in the 1760's, during turbulent times for the silk trade. This story is of 2 talented people, from different backgrounds, which are challenged by rigid social orders of that era, and how they make their way to contentment against all odds. It's a delicate story of struggles and injustice, along with industriousness and innovation. An interesting read indeed!

The cover art captured my attention...however, this sweet story line held it. I enjoyed this novel. I have recommended it to all three of my local libraries.

Hidden Thread is set in London England during the 1760s. Anna Butterfield's mother passes away and her father sends her to live with her uncle in London, who is a silk merchant. She meets an immigrant from France, Henri. Henri hopes to one day be a Master Weaver. Both are attracted to one another but because they are from two different worlds, it is forbidden for them to be together.
I did find Anna and Henri's story in the Hidden Thread to be pretty good. I found the struggles of the merchants to be quite interesting. I had no idea that this was part of English history and found it to be intriguing and refreshing. I found the book to be emotional at times with the challenges Anna and Henri face. Though I did enjoy other books by Liz Trenow more, I still think this is a must read.

4 1/2 stars.

I received this book from NetGalley.com, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Any fan of historical fiction will love this book.
Unbelievable that this is a debut novel and can't wait to read more from Liz Trenow's pen.
A story about Anna a country girl who comes to her relatives in London to be launched into society but a chance meeting on her very first step into the big city sets her onto a very different path.
Inspired by the silk weavers of the 1700's and the influx of the Huguenot's escaping persecution in France comes a romance that seems impossible from the start.
A rich tapestry of the silk industry and the people who lived and worked in it both rich and poor.
Amazing could not put it down.

The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow is set in London in 1760. George III is the King of England and the naturalist movement is gaining momentum. Anna Butterfield is heading to London to stay with her father’s sister and her family. Anna is leaving her small village and her family for the first time. She is to try to make an advantageous match to help her family. Anna arrives at Spital Square and there is no one to greet her. Anna ends up fainting in the street (lack of food, the heat, and nervousness). Anna awakens to find a young Frenchmen assisting her. But then her cousin, William approaches berating her for being late and hitting the Frenchmen for touching her. Anna is taken to Sadler and Son where her Uncle Joseph and Aunt Sara along with her cousins, William and Elizabeth (aka Lizzie) live and have their shop on the bottom floor. Joseph Sadler is a mercer (a dealer in silks) and has a thriving business. Aunt Sarah quickly commissions appropriate dresses for Anna so she can be presented to society. Anna is unused to the dresses, the many rules of society, inactivity and freedom to go out. Most of all she misses seeing gardens which is inspiration for her sketches and watercolors. While out with Lizzie, Anna encounters Henri Vendome, the Frenchman who assisted her. He is a journeyman weaver to M. Jean Lavalle and he will soon be working on his master piece. If this piece is accepted, Henri will become a master weaver. Anna and Henri are attracted to each other, but they are from different classes. The political situation in London is volatile as journeyman weavers want fair wages and are upset with mercers who are importing foreign silks without paying the import taxes. Is there a chance for Anna and Henri? Can they overcome the social divide and have a future together? How will the political situation affect mercers and weavers? Pick up The Hidden Thread to find out!

The Hidden Thread is nicely written and has good main characters. I appreciated a female main character who was intelligent and creative. Liz Trenow is a descriptive writer who includes minute details (about garments, the sights, of nature, etc.). This type of writing allows for me to picture the story in my head. The author did a wonderful job at capturing that period in time as well as the sights and smells of London. Readers are given delightful descriptions of finished silks. It was interesting to read about the origins of silk and what goes into making the finished product. I was especially fascinated with the weaving process. The Hidden Thread reminds me of books written by Rosalind Laker. I give The Hidden Thread 4 out of 5 stars. There are a couple of slow sections, but overall I thought The Hidden Thread to be an engaging novel. The cover of the book really does not do the book justice. The original cover is more eye catching and so is the initial title (The Silk Weaver). The title (to me) refers to the threads that are hidden in a tapestry—the warp threads. It also references a special technique used by Henri for his master piece. I did feel that the book is a touch too long. I felt a little more editing would have beneficial. I enjoyed reading The Hidden Thread. There are some good life lessons included in the story. The author provided an epilogue that wrapped up all the various storylines which I really appreciated.

There is something about Trenow's historical fiction that pulls me in every time and The Hidden Thread is no exception. Most of my historical ficton reading consists of the wealthy or at least the comfortable and this gave me a peek at the struggles of those in the silk trade - both those that sold the silk and those that wove the silk - which I had never given any thought to before. It's a fascinating world full of tension, heartache, pride and artistry.

The story is told in third person but from two POVs. We go back and forth between Henri, a gifted young silk weaver with a tragic past, and Anna, the daughter of a country vicar and neice of a mercer who makes a comfortable living. After the death of her mother, Anna is sent to London to live with her relatives and hopefully make a good marriage for the survival of her family. She's completely and totally out of her element and incredibly homesick. I found the contrast between the life of a social climbing city woman and country woman incredibly interesting as we see Anna deal with the differences - especially the loss of both her freedom and responsibilities. Henri's responsibilities are also huge. He wants to earn enough to take care of his mother - a role he had to step into when he was very young. He wants to be a master weaver and he's concerned about the riots and the violence and what it will do to the people he loves and his craft.

One thing I really appreciated in The Hidden Thread was that I really saw how difficult these life changes were for Anna. Uprooting from the country to London and having to marry well to secure financial security for the family is not an uncommon plot but I don't think I've ever seen the internal struggle and sacrifice portrayed so well and so deeply.

This is a moving story with likable and sympathetic main characters and a fascinating setting. If you love historical fiction but haven't read Trenow before than I highly recomend you start here. I will be eagerly awaiting her next book!

It is 1760 and Anna Butterfield travels from her family home in rural Suffolk to her fashionable Aunt & Uncle's home in London.
London is strange, noisy, dirty and, as a silk merchant, her Uncle's home is in an area full of French migrant weavers. Over the next 6 months Anna finds herself thrust into society to make a "good match" which she finds quite dull and boring. In fact, she would much rather get to know the French weavers, and in particular, a man named Henri that she met by chance, but who is totally beneath her in the societal hierarchy .
This novel takes inspiration from Anna Maria Garthwaite who lived in this area and produced thousands of patterns for silk during the early 1700s, but as the author explains at the end, she is an inspiration only for the timelines have been changed and the Anna in the novel is an entirely different and fictional person.
This is a lovely historical fiction novel for anyone interested in a period not often written about, that of the silk riots during the 1760s, and who enjoys a bit of romance thrown into the mix. Is there a "Happily Ever After"? My lips are sealed ;)
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Terrific! I really enjoyed this not only as a well researched and written historical novel but also because of all of the details of the silk industry in 1760. Trenow has crafted a wonderful tale that blends the political and social justice with romance between Henri and Anna. Wow. Loved Anna and how she grew over the course of the novel and loved Henri as well. Both of them are so believable. The plot gave great insight into a sector of UK industry we don't often see. THanks to netgalley for the ARC- this was a great and enlightening read. I really enjoyed it.

I loved this book, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it.

I have French silk weavers in my family history, I weave and spin and love textiles. How could I not want to read this!

A story of class and love, religious persecution, craft, fashion, history and so much more.

Anna Trenow's family have been in the silk weaving industry for 300 hundred years. This shows in the details and history in the book. Set in the 1760's a period when French Huguenot's were fleeing to England for their Protestant beliefs. This is an interesting time for fashion, shapes were changing, fabrics became less baroque and more stylistic.


Anna goes to live with her aunt and uncle in London. He is a a silk merchant and her aunt is expected to find a good match in order to provide for Anna, her vicar father and sister. Her mother has recently died. She loves nature and drawing and is used to a quiet village life not London.

She meets Henri on arrival in London, he is a French immigrant, apprentice weaver looking forward to becoming a master weaver and providing for his mother. That will not really change his class but make him financially comfortable. Until then he has to respect and obey his master in all ways.

The French Church nearby offers support and help to the French immigrants, whereas English society people go to Church in order to show off their wealth and clothing. Your women are not allowed to go out without a companion, this way of life is so restricting and unknown for Anna.


Their lives become entwined both in design, art and weaving, and most of all love.

I really enjoyed the detail, descriptions of London, references to real places, street names etc. The evolving fashions were so interesting and you are in the time while reading the book I found. Quite captivating.However at this time silk weavers were fighting for a fair wage and there are riots which young Henri is involved in. He is a good man living during difficult times. Will love conquer all?

*** Review & Book Tour ***

The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow takes place in the world of the silk trade in England. What I find fascinating about the book is the description of the silks and work that goes into designing and weaving each one. What I love about the writing is how seamlessly the history and the fiction story is blended together. The characters and fiction provide the human anchor and emotions for the history, and the history adds the drama to the fiction.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/05/the-hidden-thread.html

Reviewed for NetGalley