‘Dark Days For The Tobacco Girls’ by Lizzie Lane is the second book in the Tobacco Girls series. The first book was excellent. A historical saga that introduced us to the three M’s, Bridget, Phyllis and Maisie.
We return to them in 1940 Bristol. We find Bridget and Maisie still working at the tobacco factory while Phyllis is pregnant Robert, Phyllis’s husband works away and Phyllis lives in his family’s home, with her domineering, unpleasant mother-in-law. Bridget is part of a large family and her six siblings are evacuated to North Devon. She hopes every day that her American beau remembers her and has written her a letter. Maisie who is the youngest of the Three Ms works at the Llandoger Trow pub as well as the tobacco factory and for her, life is reasonably good, until she finds herself anxiously looking over her shoulder when she knows her stepfather, Frank has been released from prison.
As with all great historical sagas set during the war, we are privy to the effects of war upon the people. Events such as bombing, food rationing and even the buildings falling down around the area were all horrifically commonplace and Lizzie Lane brings these things alive with her evocative writing. We see the ups and the downs of the girls, love, true friendship and support are a part and parcel of their everyday life along with the sad times that pull at your heartstrings as you read. I was really happy to rejoin these girls on their life journeys and I was back there in the 1940s soaking up the bad and the good as I read along.
Lizzie Lane has really created a story that envelops you like a warm hug does. Such real characters and fabulous setting? They are so well created they could be my friends! Cannot wait to see what is in store for them in the future…I look forward to it.
Thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Lizzie Lane for my copy of the book.
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