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Kate Thompson
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Secrets of the Sewing Bee Kindle Edition

by Kate Thompson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,911 ratings

Secrets of the Sewing Bee tells the story of the defiant and courageous women on the home front, from Kate Thompson, author of Secrets of the Singer Girls.

Orphan Flossy Brown arrives at Trout's garment factory in Bethnal Green amidst the uncertainty of the Second World War. In 1940s London, each cobbled street is strewn with ghosts of soldiers past, all struggling to make ends meet. For the women of the East End, their battles are on the home front.

Flossy is quickly embraced by the colourful mix of characters working at Trout's, who have turned their sewing expertise to vital war work. They fast become the family that Flossy has always longed for.

Things aren't so easy for Peggy Piper, another new recruit at the factory. She's used to the high life working as a nippie in the West End, and is not best pleased to find herself bent over a sewing machine.

Dolly Doolaney, darling of the East End, sets up a sewing circle and the ladies at Trout's play their part in defending the frontline as they arm themselves with their needles and set about stitching their way to victory. But as the full force of the Blitz hits London, the sewing bee are forced to shelter in the underground tube stations on a nightly basis.

In such close quarters, can Dolly manage to contain the secret that binds them all? And how will Peggy and Flossy cope as their lives are shaped and moved by forces outside of their control?

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  1. Print length
    467 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Macmillan
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    10 Mar. 2016
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. File size
    813 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

A poignant and moving story of the friendship of women during wartime Britain. -- Val Wood

The way Kate Thompson writes . . . made me feel that I was reading about old friends. I just had to keep the pages turning. I am sure that before long her readers will be clamouring for more -- Pam Weaver

Marvellous, full of gutsy characters I immediately empathized with -- Margaret Pemberton

Review

The way Kate Thompson writes ... made me feel that I was reading about old friends. I just had to keep the pages turning. I am sure that before long her readers will be clambering for more. ― Pam Weaver on Secrets of the Singer Girls

Marvellous, full of gutsy characters I immediately empathised with. ― Margaret Pemberton on Secrets of the Singer Girls

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B015P750SY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Macmillan
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 10 Mar. 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ On Demand
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 813 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 467 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1447280873
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,911 ratings

About the author

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Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson

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Kate Thompson was born in London and worked as a journalist for twenty years on women's magazines and national newspapers. She now lives in Sunbury with her husband, two sons and two rescue dogs. After ghost writing five memoirs, Kate moved into fiction. Kate's first non-fiction social history documenting the forgotten histories of East End matriarchy, The Stepney Doorstep Society, was published in 2018 by Penguin. She is passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories.

Today Kate works as a journalist, author and library campaigner. Her most recent books, The Little Wartime Library (2022) and The Wartime Book Club (2023) by Hodder & Stoughton focus on two remarkable libraries in wartime. Her 100 libraries project, celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities.

Podcast host - From the Library With Love. Interviews with librarians, best-sellling authors and our remarkable wartime generation. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/100-year-old-bletchley-park-codebreaker-charlotte-betty/id1705546837?i=1000628149147

Good reads: https://www.goodreads.com/id/book/show/61237143

Instagram @Katethompson author

https://www.facebook.com/KateThompsonAuthor/

Twitter @katethompson380

www.katethompsonmedia.co.uk

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,911 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and appreciate its emotional content, with one review noting how it beautifully weaves a tale of factory workers. Moreover, the characters are well-developed and realistic, and the book evokes both sadness and humor. Additionally, customers value its historical insights, with one review highlighting how it's laced with historical facts throughout.

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ReadabilityEmotion levelCharacter developmentSadnessInsight
116 customers mention ‘Readability’116 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and enjoyable to read, describing it as a good holiday read that is well-written.

"...Kate Thompson's writing was first class throughout and through that same wonderful writing the emotions flowed and I have to say it was not only the..." Read more

"Yes loved this book Beggining to end. Just couldn't put it down I really enjoyed it. It had so much going on in it all the time...." Read more

"...The storyline was both moving, difficult to read but uplifting as the main characters found love...." Read more

"...What a wonderful book, I would recommend it if you want a book you can get in to from the first page and that holds your attention all the way..." Read more

21 customers mention ‘Emotion level’21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as lovely and uplifting, with one customer noting how it beautifully weaves a tale of factory workers and another highlighting its stunning portrayal of the Blitz.

"...This book had it all, friendship, love, heartache, bravery, sickness and so much more the main thing it did have was secrets and each of the..." Read more

"...And they were very courageous women. Those East Enders From Bethnal Green. They had to be to get through that war...." Read more

"...The storyline was both moving, difficult to read but uplifting as the main characters found love...." Read more

"...The women (and men) were wonderfully vibrant and I could see them sitting at their Singers, laughing, singing and shouting for "Dolly" the..." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Character development’15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them realistic, with one customer particularly loving the character of Dolly.

"...was both moving, difficult to read but uplifting as the main characters found love...." Read more

"...Amazing strong character's full of live and very well written. I will definitely be reading more from this author." Read more

"...London during the Second World War .Myself a War Baby I had empathy with the Characters ,and they brought the whole Terrible Saga to life with..." Read more

"...The characters are so real, so vivid and honest, I felt as though you were recounting a biographic retelling, you'd be hard to pressed to know it..." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Sadness’9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's emotional content, finding it both sad and humorous, with some mentioning it made them cry.

"...This book had it all, friendship, love, heartache, bravery, sickness and so much more the main thing it did have was secrets and each of the..." Read more

"...the Characters ,and they brought the whole Terrible Saga to life with Humour ,and Hard Work ." Read more

"...I'm absolutely overwhelmed by it. You made me laugh and cry in equal measure and I can hand on heart say it's rare anyone, let alone a story, can..." Read more

"I loved reading The Sewing Bee it was full of fun,sadness and love...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Insight’8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical content, with one noting how it's laced with facts throughout and takes readers back to 1940, while others find it nostalgic.

"...loves Second World War historical fiction which was laced with historical facts throughout." Read more

"...Not only was this a captivating read, but also a history lesson...." Read more

"Fabulous story and a great insight into life in the east end during the blitz.a really great read. Lovely story" Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A fantastic insight into what life was like during the London blitz...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Petra 🤗📚📓🖋📮
    5.0 out of 5 stars a group of friends who were soon to become closer than family and as caring as any family could ever be..
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Secrets of the Sewing Bee written by the very talented Kate Thompson was another wonderful read. Once again we are taken back to Trouts Factory where the friendliest and bravest bunch of women worked hard for a few shillings. Unlike Secrets of the Singer Girls we meet the girls at the beginning of the Second World War, where the Blitz is taking over their lives, yet each day the girls were sitting at their sewing machines sewing Uniforms and Bandages for their "boys" who were away fighting for their freedom from Hitler.
    With this wonderful read the main characters were Flossy Brown and Peggy Piper, these were the new girls in Trouts and as different as chalk and cheese yet through the hazards of the Blitz and the many problems the war was to bring them they were soon to start a special friendship which was going to support them when times were tough.
    For me personally my favourite character was the tea lady with a heart of gold Dolly Doolaney, she had her own secrets which were causing her own heartache but that would not stop her helping those that needed a special dose of Dolly's tender loving care which she certainly knew how to deliver in her own unique way and that same unique way was to bring a lot of love and happiness to so many of the inhabitants of the Eastend of London, and that included a lot of strangers!
    Why I loved this book so much was how it showed the true strength of spirit of the inhabitants of the Eastenders of London. They did not see class or creed, they only seen what was needed by those who needed a helping hand.
    This book had it all, friendship, love, heartache, bravery, sickness and so much more the main thing it did have was secrets and each of the characters had their own private secrets which would control their future if they let them. but as a reader I was able to see each of the characters overcome what life had delivered to them which had a habit of mapping out their future, that was until the members of Trout's staff showed them their love of life and those that surrounded them daily.
    I loved how once again Vera, Archie, Daisy and Sally and of course Pat are characters within this excellent read, we meet them in their younger days and it was great to see what life was like for them through the war years. Though they were not main characters within this read, they still played their own part within this excellent read.
    Kate Thompson's writing was first class throughout and through that same wonderful writing the emotions flowed and I have to say it was not only the character's emotions which flowed, as for me the book had me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see did Flossy get her happy ending and the gift of belonging, what would become of Dolly and her tea trolley which served a cup of tea with a slice of Dolly's wisdom plus a hug if needed. And not forgetting Peggy Piper, she had her own secrets and those secrets were ones which could turn the factory against her. But soon factory life would soon take over each of the friends lives as they lived the only way they knew how by fighting to survive, not only the bombs but the many problems which the war brought them through rationing and the bombing which could wipe out all they knew and that included their homes. Through Kate Thompson's writing, i loved how she showed the true strength of the characters of the Eastend of London and how they survived poverty, yet if their next door neighbour needed something they were always there for each other. The Blitz might have destroyed the buildings of London but the spirit of the Eastend held strong and not even Hitler could break them, they might have damaged them but they would overcome everything Hitler sent them.
    Secrets of the Sewing Bee written by Kate Thompson was a great read which will not only entertain but will show you the horrors of war yet the love and compassion which held these people was evident throughout this wonderful book which i would recommend to anyone who loves Second World War historical fiction which was laced with historical facts throughout.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets of the Sewing Bee
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 March 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Yes loved this book Beggining to end. Just couldn't put it down
    I really enjoyed it. It had so much going on in it all the time.
    Keeping you going with the women who worked at the
    trouts sewing company. The Girls who works there were
    All from the East End .they were all very brave women.
    What they put up with. And loved Dolly what she did
    Brightened there lives up. daily when her's was not so
    Good but carried on keeping all her friends Happy and
    Begining a sewing circle to help the soldiers and Sailors
    And anyone less fortunate than herself. To knit items
    Socks. Balaclava .gloves. Blankets to keep them warm to
    Help continue the war .as best as they could. Everyone had
    There own secrets. During that time. Dolly. Peggy. Flossy.
    And they began to send its and letters .became Pen-Pals
    Keeping the men on board happy. Writing to them to
    Give them a sense of warmth. It was so edge of the seat
    At times. with all that was happening. The bombs raining
    Down destroying everything practically in sight. How they
    Went on in some Air raid shelters. Was scary to say the least
    Not knowing if you'd come out alive or not..they weren't all
    Safe. But the Book was to say the least great really enjoyed
    It. I'd certainly give this book a five star .rating. don't want
    To give too much away about it. All I will say is read it.
    It's a great read enjoyed it very much. Such a lot happening
    In it. .Well done Kate Thompson
    I enjoyed reading all the interviews of the people during the
    War. what they went through .it was very interesting
    And they were very courageous women. Those East Enders
    From Bethnal Green. They had to be to get through that war.
    Everyone from London too. Manchester. And Coventry.
    Where factories where women worked .had to be strong.
    They had families .To bring through it. Best they could.
    Great Book thank you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anne T
    4.0 out of 5 stars A moving story of women and the Blitz
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Attracted by the title I was quickly drawn in to the story of these women who lived through the fierce bombing of the East End; they faced tragedy and fear but through it all had a huge camaraderie. The storyline was both moving, difficult to read but uplifting as the main characters found love. I'm not sure the author understands the difference between sewing and knitting, though. A sewing bee called The Victory Knitters? There were many references, even in the same sentence, to a sewing circle but then talked about knitting needles and wool. Okay, there was mention of a quilt but this was much in passing. Being a keen knitter and sewer, this really annoyed me as the story developed. Some of the characters seemed a little too good to be true - Dolly, for instance. However, this book kept me reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mrs H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cry, laugh and fabulous women - oh joy!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was hooked on this book from the beginning with shy, kind, strong, and ribald women all working in Trouts, sewing uniforms, all making this it into a winner which I could not put down. Sometime I laughed out loud, sometimes I cried and sometimes I laughed and cried at the same time. Never has a book made me feel emotions like that. The women (and men) were wonderfully vibrant and I could see them sitting at their Singers, laughing, singing and shouting for "Dolly" the tea lady. Not only was this a captivating read, but also a history lesson. I have learned so much about the women of this area; they are the true heroes of the war as they fought it on all fronts, slept in the Tube, and did it all again the next day. What a wonderful book, I would recommend it if you want a book you can get in to from the first page and that holds your attention all the way through.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Frenchy6
    5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets of a sewing bee
    Reviewed in France on 5 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I am just finishing this book and found it a very moving story about a foundling during the war who goes to work in a sewing factory. I would highly recommend it.
    Report
  • Sue B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    great book fast shipping
    Report
  • Sioux p
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 January 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I just absolutely loved this book the characters that Kate has created & how she has woven the true stories & sayings of admirable heroic women of the Eastend have told her I love that the actual events are true in relation to her story I can almost feel myself there I hope I would of had the guts to suck it up & get on with with it like they did
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  • Carol Anne Harvey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
    Reviewed in Australia on 22 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the story and characters, it brought back memories of Bethnal Green where I grew up and also reminded me of the bomb sites we'd still play on in the 60s. It answered a lot of questions about things I wish I'd asked my grandparents. The audible version was excellent too.
    Report
  • Helene G.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 September 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed the story and comraderie during the Second World War..
    Report

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