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Dangerous Women Paperback – January 11, 2022
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Nearly two hundred condemned women board a transport ship bound for Australia. One of them is a murderer. From debut author Hope Adams comes a thrilling novel based on the 1841 voyage of the convict ship Rajah, about confinement, hope, and the terrible things we do to survive.
London, 1841. One hundred eighty Englishwomen file aboard the Rajah, embarking on a three-month voyage to the other side of the world.
They're daughters, sisters, mothers—and convicts.
Transported for petty crimes.
Except one of them has a deadly secret, and will do anything to flee justice.
As the Rajah sails farther from land, the women forge a tenuous kinship. Until, in the middle of the cold and unforgiving sea, a young mother is mortally wounded, and the hunt is on for the assailant before he or she strikes again.
Each woman called in for question has something to fear: Will she be attacked next? Will she be believed? Because far from land, there is nowhere to flee, and how can you prove innocence when you’ve already been found guilty?
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBerkley
- Publication dateJanuary 11, 2022
- Dimensions5.48 x 0.9 x 8.24 inches
- ISBN-100593099583
- ISBN-13978-0593099582
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Editorial Reviews
Review
—The Guardian (UK)
“…th[is] story is one you won't be able to put down once you get past the first wave (pun intended).”
—Cosmopolitan
"A perfect recreation of a unique moment in time. An examination of the shocking treatment of women in our not-too distant past. Hope Adams' Dangerous Women is a must-read for lovers of fearless historical fiction."
—Alma Katsu, author of The Deep and The Hunger
“A dazzling novel. Adams takes the fascinating history of a convict ship and brings it to life in a captivating story filled with intrigue and dark secrets. An immensely satisfying tale of guilt, innocence and second chances.”
—Emma Rous, USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair
"A historical episode artfully adapted in a bleak tale that offers glimmers of hope for women discarded by society."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Adams’s debut transforms an actual 19th-century sea voyage into a striking personal drama. Readers who like their historical mysteries well-grounded in real history will be rewarded."
—Publishers Weekly
"Basing her novel on fact, Adams draws from the actual ship’s logs to create an intriguing story...This variant of the locked-room murder will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction centered on women’s lives."
—Booklist
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Adams / DANGEROUS WOMEN
I wish I didn’t know, she thought. I wish I’d never found out. I wish I could be the person I was this morning, before we sat down to our stitching.
The sea moving past the ship was almost black in the fading light. Where the Rajah was now, in the middle of the Southern Ocean, there was only a short time between sunset and darkness. She leaned over to look more closely at the water. It rushed past the hull, curling up into small waves, which slid away to lose themselves in larger waves or long swells of water. For a long time she’d been afraid of it, walking along with her eyes fixed on the planks of the deck, seeing the ocean only when it couldn’t be helped, catching sight of it from the corner of her eye. Now, after many weeks at sea, she’d grown used to it, was in awe of it and loved it, albeit warily.
She’d fallen into the habit of going to the rail when the stitching work was finished. She liked to stand there for a few minutes, alone, trying to see what lay beyond the line of the horizon, breathing in the wide water and the high sky that seemed to go on and on till you grew dizzy staring up at it. Now the only thought in her head was what she’d learned. Every feeling in her heart was muddled, and the fear that had overcome her since she’d found out—discovered by noticing a gesture for the first time—wouldn’t go away. There had been a shadow before, near the coil of rope, and she peered behind her now to see if anyone was there, looking at her. She saw nothing. But what was that noise? She held her breath, though the only sound was the familiar groaning of ropes in the rigging. Then she felt a change in the air around her, became aware of someone coming up beside her, and turned, ready to tell whoever it was to go and leave her alone.
Pain took away her words. She reached out, but as soon as it sliced into her clothes, as soon as it pierced her skin and reached her flesh, the blade was gone and whoever had held it had disappeared, too, and there was nothing left but an agony of white, shining pain, and her own hands suddenly scarlet and wet as she clutched them around herself.
The knife, the knife has killed me, she thought, and a sound filled the whole of her head and poured out of her mouth in a torrent of screaming.
1
NOW
5 July 1841
Ninety-one days at sea
A knife . . . is it true? Who’s got a knife?
Hide. I must hide . . . Oh, my blessed saints, help us . . . Is there blood?
Where is it? Is it here? Someone’s got a knife . . .
Who’s got it now? Where is it?
They’ll cut our throats . . .
The women’s voices twisted into one another, rising and falling in the gathering darkness of the cabin. The lanterns had not yet been lit and the light from the small windows was fading. The women who weren’t shrieking were wailing and clinging to each other, and even though no one said the words, and no one dared to ask, one question hung in the fetid air: Is she dead?
Those who’d been on deck when it happened sat together, trembling and white-faced, some still holding their baskets of scraps and sewing. The three women known as the Newgate Nannies shifted and settled on the cabin’s longest bench, gathering their garments around them, like three birds of prey folding their wings. Behind them, the sleeping berths rose up, and the dark corners of the convicts’ quarters seemed gloomier than ever. The Rajah rolled a little in the swell, her timbers creaking with the motion of the waves.
They were now much nearer to Van Diemen’s Land than to England. The sea had been as flat as a sheet of glass for the last two weeks but had grown choppy around dawn. By sunset birds had appeared, wheeling in free spirals around the masts, their black shapes standing out against the pale sky. July in these latitudes meant winter, and there was often a chill in the air.
“She was probably asking for it,” said a harsh voice, sharp with spite.
“Shut your filthy mouth,” said another woman, with a pockmarked face—the one who took care of the children aboard. “Say another word, you fat bitch, and I’ll bash your teeth so far into your head you’ll be farting them out through your arsehole.”
Someone stood up as angry murmurs turned to shouts, and another hissed, “Quiet, the lot of you. They’re coming.”
They heard the men before they saw them. Their voices rang loud in the darkness, their feet stamping heavily on the steps of the companionway. The women stared at these strange creatures as though they were more than human: taller, stronger, calmer. The captain and the Reverend Mr. Davies, accompanied by three sailors, faced the huddled bodies of the women, like a human wall. The matron, Miss Kezia Hayter, was with them. She wore a blue knitted shawl around her shoulders, and her pale face was unsmiling. Her hair, usually so well arranged, was disheveled and her eyes were full of sadness.
As they waited for the captain to speak, some women cried; others clamped their lips together and tightened their jaws, eyes wary, daring others to blame them. There were those also who longed for matters to be as they were before, in the harmony they’d found briefly before the screams began. Before they’d seen Hattie Matthews lying there, her hair like red-gold autumn leaves scattered on the deck. Before everything was torn apart.
Product details
- Publisher : Berkley (January 11, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593099583
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593099582
- Item Weight : 9.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.48 x 0.9 x 8.24 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #152,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,034 in Science Fiction Crime & Mystery
- #1,734 in Historical Thrillers (Books)
- #3,245 in Murder Thrillers
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They enjoy the mystery and historical fiction elements seamlessly woven into the story.
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Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find the plot interesting and well-written. The historical fiction is enjoyable, with a mystery that is seamlessly woven into the narrative.
"...(except Mr. Davies, who was a sanctimonious jerk), thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the only thing I wish is that there would have been a picture..." Read more
"...The plot is interesting, but what is most revealing is the description of these women's terrible conditions and the combination of reality and..." Read more
"...What an interesting story! One of the neatest things about it is that it it really happened. It was a hard book to put down...." Read more
"What a great historical fiction. Filled with heart and tears, to know this is based on true events made it even more special ...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality good and the story engaging.
"...Nicely written! A little slow moving, but character emotion is presented well." Read more
"Very well written and the story keeps moving along." Read more
"Fascinating story and beautifully written!..." Read more
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Great historical fiction!!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022I love historical fiction, which, for me, brings the past alive in a way that the more esoteric, non-fiction works fail to do. This book was a wonderful example of why I read historical fiction. I liked all the characters (except Mr. Davies, who was a sanctimonious jerk), thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the only thing I wish is that there would have been a picture of the patchwork at the end (I was able to find a picture of it, of course. What did we do without the internet? Go find it: The Rajah Quilt - it's Amazing). A great story all around!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2021Dangerous Women by Hope Adams is a book about second chances. The novel is actually based on a true story about a group of convicted women being forced to board a ship called the Rajah to be relocated across the world from London to Australia as their "punishment". Relocation to some of these women seems to be the worst punishment imaginable but to others its a new beginning, a second chance to start out on a different foot.
The women aboard the ship are a rough bunch. Most if not all of them have had a tough life. They grew up lower class with abusive families and knew no better than to steal in order to scrape out a living for themselves. Their actions were wrong but the reader can sympathize with their reasonings in some instances of their crimes. Their matron, Kezia, has tasked herself with trying to smooth out some of the rough edges the ladies have. She has over one hundred days to get herself familiar with them and try to learn their stories during their voyage from London to Australia. When Kezia first addresses the women on board as a whole she says, "The time at sea is a chance for you to improve your lives and you should see it in that light".
At the beginning of the voyage Kezia selects a group of eighteen women to help her make a patchwork quilt that she hopes will bring them all closer, as well as, teach the women a trade. It's rough going at first. Most of these women are loners and are not used to having attention drawn to themselves. They all quarrel with each other in the beginning but soon turn all their focus into making a beautiful quilt. Personally I am not sure that Kezia had it in her mind in the beginning that with each stitch the women would be stitching together everlasting friendships but in the end that is exactly what happened.
Their journey was definitely not without its struggles. Some pretty tragic incidences happened along the way that brought the women closer together and brought out secrets that one woman never wanted to be reveled, all of this sounds vague but really enhances the mystery and suspense of the story to keep the reader enthralled.
I greatly enjoyed Dangerous Women. I felt it was excellent story telling and a glimpse into what life would have been like for a convicted woman in nineteenth century London. In the end knowing that the story was based on a true story and that the ship and women actually existed was spellbinding. This book has definitely peaked my interest into finding out more about the Rajah and the beautiful quilt these women made that still exist and can still be seen. It was also a heart warming story to modern day women that our past doesn't necessarily have to define our futures.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for and advanced copy for an honest review.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021In April 1841, the ship Rajah left London with 180 female convicts bound for Tasmania to start a new life. Several of them were selected to make a large quilt, known as the Rajah Quilt. When the author saw it in a museum, she got the idea to write this novel. She included the real doctor, clergyman, and Kezia, in charge of the well-being of the women, who travelled on that ship. The rest of the novel is fiction. One of the inmates, who had a child, was stabbed and after thorough investigations, nobody had any idea who the perpetrator was. All the inmates lived in fear, knowing that one of them was to blame. The plot is interesting, but what is most revealing is the description of these women's terrible conditions and the combination of reality and fiction. Most of them had been accused of minor theft, usually to feed their children, or prostitution, all their actions derived from their poverty.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024This is an absolute must read to see how life was so unfair to women and yet how one woman could give so many an example of self esteem and the desire to become a better person. The history of the quilt that was made on this voyage is on the internet and well preserved to this day.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021I really enjoyed reading the historical fiction novel Dangerous Women by debut author Hope Adams. I was drawn to this book by the premise of a shipload of English female prisoners who were being essentially banished to a remote island near Australia. During the voyage one of the women is murdered and since the other passengers are already convicts, they become obvious suspects. It sounded like a compelling and creepy premise to me, and I was not disappointed.
There were a lot of characters to keep straight, but I really loved our matron, Kezia Hayter, as well as some of the women prisoners who were more clearly defined. A big part of the story centered on the communal sewing project the inmates were working on under Kezia's watch. She, along with the British Ladies Society created the project to teach the women a new skill and occupy their time with productive work as a means of reform. Although many of the prisoners' "crimes" were minor and necessary for survival, such as stealing food for their starving children, they were still sentenced to fairly long prison terms. Their project, the Rajah Quilt, was named after the ship on which they sailed and is still displayed in the National Gallery of Australia.
The book was a bit of a "whodunit" mystery as each of the murder suspects was interviewed by the ship's captain and his colleagues. From the beginning we learn that one of the prisoners is sailing under a false identity, which adds to the mystery. I did solve the murder before the solution was revealed, which is not always easy for me. The conclusion was satisfying but a little abrupt.
I appreciated the author's note at the end explaining which plot points were based on fact and which she embellished as fiction. My favorite part of historical fiction is learning a bit of history, and this novel highlighted a piece of history that I had not heard about before, namely that this voyage really did take place in 1841 and the Rajah Quilt has a fascinating history.
Readers who enjoy solid historical fiction, women's fiction and historical mysteries will enjoy this exciting novel.
Top reviews from other countries
- pennyReviewed in Canada on September 27, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Such a beautiful book
Truly showing how working together can change the lives of many
Through disgusting conditions, limited food, these women persevered and over came to start a better life
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did
- GarryReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable and thought provoking
This is a great read.I knew very little about the transportation of women to Van Demons Land (Tasmania) for very minor offences and this book was a great insight to the times. The fact that it is based on real events added an extra layer for me, although details and personalities are obviously largely imagined. I found the switching between ‘Now’ and ‘Then’ a good plot device to develop the characters and events. At its heart this is an uplifting story of morality and redemption that really touched me. Highly recommended and do look into the ‘Rajah Quilt’ online once you have read it.
- AthinadiReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected.
Loved the story - fascinated by the quilt. Held my attention till the end.
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Murder and romance on a voyage to Australia.
Main characters are well developed. Romance between the captain and Kezia is very gradual as this was the case in the nineteenth century. The support of the captain assists Kezia in having her views and intuition taken seriously regarding the accused women. The pace of the book I found challenging at times, and I came close to not finishing, hence the three stars. A satisfactory ending made perseverance worthwhile.
- Susie JaneReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read👍
Purchased this book 10 months ago, but have only now got around to reading it. The storyline was easy to get in to and I actually continued reading until I'd finished the book. I came up with a number of possible suspects and their motive, but none were the actual killer! Definitely a book worth reading.