Book review: The Lost Women of Mill Street

An engaging historical novel set in the American civil war that explores the effect of an enforced life change on the lives of the young Douglas sisters.

Clara works long, tiring days in Roswell cotton mill with her younger sister Kitty, awaiting the return of her fiancé Benjamin who left in search of a homestead in Nebraska. However, the villagers’ lives are turned upside down following the invasion by Union soldiers. They destroy the mill, and the women are arrested and transported north to a refugee prison. Kitty struggles with ill health and Clara cares for her whilst trying to find work. The young women face dangers, hunger, and discrimination, and Clara worries that Benjamin will not be able to trace her. And so, begins their adventure to carve out a new life in a tough and hostile environment.

Clara hopes for love and dreams of a meaningful job as she struggles to pay the rent and put food on the table. Her skill in making bonnets, highlighted early on, gives the reader hope. These challenging conditions force her to reevaluate her relationships with those close to her and face up to threats from Confederate sympathisers who believe she betrayed her community.

Written in third person from Clara’s point of view, the novel is nicely paced and well written with a light touch. Seeing the war through Clara’s eyes shows us how it impacts the lives of women and children. Based on real events, it’s a good novel to choose if you like to learn about history whilst enjoying a really good story.

I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader