FLOSSIE

This historical fiction novel weaves together child labour and horrendous conditions that made up the fabric of mill life in the early 1800s. Life in the North East was an enduring round of poverty, hardship and underlying threats, which only the brave or foolhardy could survive. Six year old Flossie Dawson finds herself in the middle of a deceit that changes her life forever. She lives a terrifying life in the mill carding room. This all changes when Flossie's boss kills his daughter in a tragic accident. Flossie witnesses the accident and is forced to remain silent and comply with her bosses demands. She sets out to try her very best to please her boss and hopefully return to her former life with her friends in the mill. This story unfolds amidst intense rivalry between mills; vicious strikes by the workers and the belief that being a part of gentry solves everything. Flossie is a gripping read with a strong female protagonist. This novel should be of interest to readers of Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox novels. Colloquial and natural expressions also mark the time period in which the story takes place.