On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club — Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #Scotland @nansjar @cathiedunn

 I love this book so much! Scroll down to check out my review of Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine. Thank you to The Coffee Pot Book Club for inviting me to be a part of this tour.

Let's check out the blurb!

Novice Threads 
By Nancy Jardine

A thirst for education.  Shattered dreams. Fragile relations.

1840s Scotland

Being sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of becoming a schoolteacher when her parents’ tailoring and drapery business suddenly collapses and she must find a job?

Salvation from domestic drudgery – or never-ending seamstress work – comes via Jessie whose employer seeks a tutor for his daughter. Free time exploring Edinburgh with Jessie is great fun, but increasing tension in the household claws at Margaret’s nerves. 

Margaret also worries about her parents' estrangement, and the mystery of Jessie's unknown father.

When tragedy befalls the household in Edinburgh, Margaret must forge a new pathway for the future – though where will that be?

Margaret Law's parents would sink the Titanic with their coldness towards their only child, but what they do provide is the means for an education. Although seemingly unloving, Penny does not want her daughter working at the local mill. An education, Penny knows all too well, can go a long way.

Like a sponge, Margaret soaks up everything she is taught. And she sets her sights on one day becoming a teacher (although her plans do not go exactly the way she envisages). Margaret would have been quite content with her lot if her best friend Jessie was with her.

Jessie is a darling little girl who puts her immediate family's needs before her own. Before even reaching double figures, she becomes a carer for her arthritic grandmother, but despite her, somewhat depressed situation she remains a rainbow of joy.

But Margaret and Jessie's lives are about to change forever, but thankfully whatever befalls them they are in this together.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I thought the way the author portrayed the children was amazing. At the beginning of the novel, they are infants and therefore talk like infants, but as they age so does their vocabulary, along with their understanding of it.

The story is truly gripping and it kept me up when I should have been sleeping, so I am writing this review with tired eyes! I thought the characters were wonderfully depicted and the historic setting was very realistic.

As I have already said, I absolutely loved this book and it is my favourite read so far in 2024!

If you would like to grab yourself a copy of this book then head over to Amazon. And check this out, it is free to read if you have #KindleUnlimited subscription. So what are you waiting for? This book isn't going to read itself!

Nancy Jardine

Nancy writes historical and contemporary fiction. 1st Century Roman Britain is the setting of her Celtic Fervour Series. Victorian and Edwardian history has sneaked into two of her ancestry-based contemporary mysteries, and her current Silver Sampler Series is set in Victorian Scotland.

Her novels have achieved Finalist status in UK book competitions (People's Book Prize; Scottish Association of Writers) and have received prestigious Online Book Awards.

Published with Ocelot Press, writing memberships include – Historical Novel Society; Romantic Novelists Association; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Alliance of Independent Authors.

Social Media Links:, Website, Twitter (X),  Facebook,  LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Pinterest, BookBub, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads 

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