History Corner The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge ,from Kensington Books, via #Netgalley for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own

Against the backdrop of the first all-female Mardi Gras krewe in turn-of-the-century New Orleans, Diane McPhail’s mesmerizing historical novel tells of two strangers separated by background but bound by an unexpected secret—and of the strength and courage women draw from and inspire in each other.

Synopsis:

The year 1900 ushers in a new century and the promise of social change, and women rise together toward equality. Yet rules and restrictions remain, especially for women like Alice Butterworth, whose husband has abruptly disappeared. Desperate to make a living for herself and the child she carries, Alice leaves the bitter cold of Chicago far behind, offering sewing lessons at a New Orleans orphanage.
 
Constance Halstead, a young widow reeling with shock under the threat of her late husband’s gambling debts, has thrown herself into charitable work. Meeting Alice at the orphanage, she offers lodging in exchange for Alice’s help creating a gown for the Leap Year ball of Les Mysterieuses, the first all female krewe of Mardi Gras. During Leap Years, women have the rare opportunity to take control in their interactions with men, and upend social convention. Piece by piece, the breathtaking gown takes shape, becoming a symbol of strength for both women, reflecting their progress toward greater independence.
 
But Constance carries a burden that makes it impossible to feel truly free. Her husband, Benton, whose death remains a dangerous mystery, was deep in debt to the Black Hand, the vicious gangsters who controled New Orleans’ notorious Storyville district. Benton’s death has not satisfied them. And as the Mardi Gras festivities reach their fruition, a secret emerges that will cement the bond between Alice and Constance even as it threatens the lives they’re building…

Review:

As a history major, I love it when an author can do ACCURATE research and blend fiction with fact in such a way that history comes alive and when you finish the book you run to the web and start researching the topics covered and learn more. Sadly for me, this wasn't one of those books- yes the research was done, and presented well, but the FICTION part was so bleh that I had to literally restart the book multiple times. It was def a case of the book not living up to the hype. I wish I could pin point what it was exactly, but the characters were just lacking the spark that makes you connect with them and for a book about an all-womens krewe, it seemed more about the men in the story and how they affected the women, than how independent and strong they could become without them. It just read wrong, at least for me. Others may enjoy it more- for me the research kept it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

About the Author

Diane C. McPhail is an artist, minister, and acclaimed author of The Abolitionist’s Daughter and The Seamstress of New Orleans. A graduate of Ole Miss, Duke Writers, University of Iowa Distance, and the Yale Writers' Conference, she is a member of NC Writers Network and the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Highlands, North Carolina with her husband and dog. For more information, please visit Diane online at DianeMcPhailAuthor.com.