Description

The page-turning and evocative novel set in 1950s London from the author of That Green Eyed Girl

‘Gripping . . . Julie Owen Moylan vividly recreates drab, grey postwar London and her characters are convincing to the end’ THE TIMES, ‘BEST NEW HISTORICAL FICTION’

‘Psychologically astute and emotionally absorbing, this is a heartfelt read’ DAILY MAIL
‘A wonderfully evocative, immersive novel that brings 50s London to life, from the smog and the nightlife to attitudes towards women . . . a vivid, absorbing and ultimately uplifting read’ SUNDAY EXPRESS
‘An incredibly vivid rendering of post-war London and the complicated lives of three woman whose fates intersect at a boarding house . . . emotional, immersive and utterly absorbing’ JENNIFER SAINT
‘The sense of time and place is beautifully evocative. It’s about pride and shame and love and loss and ultimately hope’ LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON

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When Edie Budd arrives at a shabby West London boarding house in October 1958, carrying nothing except a broken suitcase and an envelope full of cash, it’s clear she’s hiding a terrible secret.
And she’s not the only one; the other women of 73 Dove Street have secrets of their own . . .
Tommie, who lives on the second floor, waits on the eccentric Mrs Vee by day. After dark, she harbours an addiction to seedy Soho nightlife – and a man she can’t quit.
Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, has set fire to her husband’s belongings after discovering a heart-breaking betrayal – yet her fierce bravado hides a past she doesn’t want to talk about.
At first, the three women keep to themselves.
But as Edie’s past catches up with her, Tommie becomes caught in her web of lies – forcing her to make a decision that will change everything . . .
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‘Once again, Julie Owen Moylan has created a world that feels completely real and vivid’ JODIE CHAPMAN

‘From the Rivoli Ballroom to the seedy nightlife of Soho, the characters leap off the page in this compelling mystery’ WOMAN & HOME
‘A beautiful story of friendship and new beginnings’ BEST
‘Gripping and atmospheric’ RED
‘I loved it even more than Julie’s debut That Green Eyed Girl. Soho in the 50s is brilliantly done, as are the female characters. Brava Julie!’ GEORGINA MOORE

Publisher Review

An incredibly vivid rendering of post-war London and the complicated lives of three woman whose fates intersect at a boarding house as they seek to take control of their own destinies. This was an engrossing read; emotional, immersive and utterly absorbing -- Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne A corker. It's the story of three working class women in 1950's London. It's so evocative, you can *smell* the gas fires, the lard, the perfume, the talc, the gin. It's bleakly honest about women's lot at the time (not so very long ago) and the tale is deftly woven. I loved how the strands came together, very satisfying -- Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding A vivid and propulsive story of three women and three dangerous secrets, 73 Dove Street so brillaintly and evocatively captures Soho in the 50s that I really feel I was there -- Sophie Irwin, bestseslling author of The Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting I loved it even more than Julie's debut That Green Eyed Girl. Soho in the 50s is brilliantly done, as are the female characters. Brava Julie! -- Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls Powerful, poignant and so beautifully drawn - every single scene comes alive -- Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man Once again, Julie Owen Moylan has created a mid century world that feels completely real and vivid. I've loved walking the damp postwar London streets with Edie and Tommie, chain-smoking in gin bars and watching these women grow. Julie has such a knack for setting up a story, creating a mystery that pulls you right in. A hugely enjoyable book. -- Jodie Chapman, author of Another Life Set in my end of 1950s London, the sense of time and place is beautifully evocative, the ghost of the war, and the sense of societal change about to come. It's about pride and shame and love and loss and ultimately hope -- Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Blood & Sugar Brilliant! Totally immersed in postwar London. I loved every page of this wonderful novel. A mystery that keeps you guessing, difficult women and that seductive 1950s atmosphere - all my favourite things! -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City Another fabulous read by the brilliant Julie Owen Moylan. A gripping and touching feminist read about three women in one London boarding house in 1958. Julie writes about mid-20th century women like no-one else! -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female I loved That Green Eyed Girl by Julie Owen Moylan so had high hopes for 73 Dove Street and it did not disappoint. This beautiful postwar story of three working class women is so evocative and moving. Adored it. -- Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things Another absolute cracker from Julie Owen Moylan. The compelling and vividly-evoked story of three brave and complex women in 1950s London. -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl Hugely atmospheric, this haunting and thought-provoking read explores the lives of three women whose tales become entwined through a single address. Set in 1958 London, brought to life by immersive, detailed descriptions, it looks at women's roles in a changing society. It's a really tough read at times but written with such heart. A fascinating, bold read. Bravo Julie bravo! -- Liz Hyder, author of The Gifts A brilliant evocation of the seedy side of post-war London, wrapped around a story of the power of female friendship, this is the very best kind of escapism * Bookseller, 'Editor's Choice' * I adored it. It's gripping (I stayed up until 1am on a school night to finish it), moving and so wonderfully evocative of post-war London. Julie's firmly an auto-buy author for me now, and I can't wait to read what she writes next -- Emma Hughes, author of No Such Thing As Perfect Praise for That Green Eyed Girl * : * Loved this . . . I was gripped from the first page and eked out the last chapters as I didn't want to leave the smoky clubs of 1950's Manhattan. A stellar line-up of brave, complicated and bright women . . . prepare to lose yourself in a tale of love, loss and deceit -- Sara Cox, Radio 2 DJ and host of BBC 2's Between the Covers Summer sparkles in this book and so does the prose! -- Damian Barr I so enjoyed That Green Eyed Girl. The atmosphere of city heat and dust and stifling apartments was so vividly evoked. And I was equally invested in both narrative strands . . . I was hooked from the beginning -- Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures A gorgeous, evocative novel that's part love story, part coming of age and part mystery. But all parts are superlative! * Red Online * It's beautifully written and particularly wonderful on forbidden love, loss and forgiveness * Daily Mail * Julie Owen Moylan expertly places her readers in a New York apartment, where you feel the heat and hear the tinny radio . . . There's a cinematic quality to this novel; the characters are deftly drawn and emotionally engaging, and the plot develops at the right pace, with unexpected twists. An accomplished debut * Woman & Home, BOOK OF THE MONTH * That Green Eyed Girl takes hold of you and draws you along. I loved the little connective details between the timelines and the unravelling of the gentle mystery of it all. Hits a perfect bittersweet note - I predict big things -- Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding