Book Blurb:
Louisa Delafield and Ellen Malloy didn’t ask to be thrown together to bring the truth to light. But after Ellen witnesses the death of a fellow servant during an illegal abortion, Louisa, a society columnist, vows to help her find the truth and turn her journalistic talent to a greater purpose.
Together, these unlikely allies battle to get the truth out, and to avenge the wrongful death of a friend.
What will our heroes do when their closest allies and those they trust turn out to be the very forces working to keep their story in the dark? They’ll face an abortionist, a sex trafficking ring, and a corrupt system determined to keep the truth at bay.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/thewhisperingwoman
Author Bio:
Trish MacEnulty grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and earned degrees from the University of Florida and Florida State University. For 20 years, she lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was a Professor of English at Johnson & Wales University, teaching writing and film classes. She now lives in Florida with her husband, cat, and two dogs and teaches journalism. In addition to her historical novels, she has written novels, stories, plays, and a memoir under the name "Pat MacEnulty." She currently writes book reviews and features for The Historical Novel Review.
Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more: https://trishmacenulty.com
Editorial Review:
Set in the early 1900s in the glittering New York City, The Whispering Women by Trish MacEnulty tells the story of Louisa Delafield, a woman born into a wealthy family who must learn to work and support herself and her mother following the murder of her father. Louisa begins working as a journalist to make ends meet. She finds herself in the middle of the muckraker news era. She shies away from this news style and focuses instead on the society events that she would have been attending as a young socialite if her father had not been murdered leaving her and her mother with little money. When Louisa’s path crosses with Ellen, a woman working as a maid, Louisa begins to understand that there are forces at work hiding the questionable things that are happening within the city after Ellen witnesses the death of a fellow servant from an illegal abortion gone awry. Ellen and Louisa think they have very little in common. They come from different classes, have different ideas about sexuality, and have had vastly different experiences. They will quickly develop a relationship and armed with Ellen as her ally, Louisa will need to embrace the muckraking journalism style she had avoided to uncover those responsible for several unsavory things going on in New York City all while she searches for her father’s murderer. The Whispering Women challenges traditional values about marriage, independence, sexuality, birth control, and more that are just as relevant today as they were in the early 1900s.
“She had seen what could happen when a woman’s livelihood was dependent on marriage. Her once vibrant mother now lived like a hermit, sitting in her invalid chair all day, reminiscing about days long gone.”
The Whispering Women is full of well-developed, rich characters. WIth clear internal and external flaws, the main characters are far from perfect but easy to relate to. Louisa Delafield and Ellen Malloy serve as excellent character foils for each other and balance the two very different aspects of society and wealth that are expertly portrayed throughout the book. When their stories collide, readers are taken on a journey that allows them to see how women’s lives, rights, and experiences parallel each other regardless of economic status, sexuality, background and experience.
“That’s what women like her were, according to the law. Criminals. Deviants. She thought of her first and only kiss with a woman. That didn’t make her feel like a criminal or a deviant. It was as natural as singing.”
As a historical fiction book, the setting, issues, and experiences of the characters are deeply rooted in the history of the early 1900s. While the plot is clearly set in this time period, The Whispering Women creates a story that will easily parallel modern day issues that are very relevant to women’s rights in the early 1900s and now. True historical fiction readers will be able to easily pick up on these parallels and themes. The Whispering Women and all the issues within the book are extremely relevant to current events, ideas, and beliefs. Issues that are addressed in the stories of these women include birth control, abortions, and sexuality as well as marriage, careers, independence and so much more. This book, whether intentional or not, provides an excellent commentary on everything from abortions to homosexuality and clearly illustrates how it affects all women from all walks of life even today. Modern readers, particularly female readers, will relate to the stories of the women in this book.
““Well, I didn’t even know women were working for the police in investigative roles. She, apparently, was looking into illegal...I don’t know how to put this delicately,” Louisa said.
“Abortions?” Dorothy asked.
“Yes. An issue that affects all women, don’t you agree?” She hoped that Dorothy’s interest in suffrage would extend to other problems women faced. ”
The book is incredibly well written and is free of grammatical errors. It has been expertly proofread and edited. Readers will find the writing to flow nicely and in a way that feels seamless. MacEnulty is a master of imagery and does an incredible job describing the scenes throughout the book in a way that readers will easily be able to picture each place she describes and feel as if they are right there in the middle of the scene. This creates a book that is engrossing and readers may find that they are not able to put it down.
“Winter memories were equally idyllic. Bundled up under blankets as they traversed Central Park in a sleigh pulled by snorting horses, steam billowing from their nostrils. An only child, she had loved it when the children all piled together like puppies and the parents pretended they didn’t exist.”
The intended audience for The Whispering Women is readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those who are interested in early 1900s urban history, as well as mystery lovers. MacEnulty has done a phenomenal job creating a well developed plot that maintains historical accuracy. It is clear that MacEnulty has put in appropriate research about the time period, city, and society of the era. The descriptions of New York City, Grand Central Station, women’s rights, healthcare, and so much more are both accurate and vivid. MacEnulty clearly knows what historical fiction fans like in books and she caters to that with her writing, descriptions, plot, and historical elements. There are elements of mystery as well making this very much a historical fiction mystery.. Readers who enjoy fiction with a focus on history, women’s rights, or even a bit of mystery will also thoroughly enjoy The Whispering Women.
The Whispering Women comes highly recommended for those with an interest in women’s rights and movements, history, or just well written fiction. MacEnulty knows her audience well and easily writes to satisfy her readers. For those with a budding interest in historical fiction, this would be a fabulous book for first time historical fiction readers. Historical settings and references are well developed and explained so even those not familiar with this era should be able to easily follow and understand the plot.
“If women knew their power before signing it over to some husband for life, they’d never marry, she thought. Instead they’d rule the world.”
Overall, The Whispering Women by Trish MacEnulty is a well researched and well written historical fiction and mystery novel with an expertly developed plot with rich characters that are both believable and relatable as women. Readers will enjoy the fast paced tone and beautifully detailed descriptions and settings all while sitting on the edge of their seats as Lousia tries to uncover the truth.
*****
“The Whispering Woman” by Trish MacEnulty receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
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