The Mersey Girls Publication Day Blog

Hello Lovely Readers. Thank you for dropping by. I thought you would like to know what is happening in Reckoner’s Row, when we catch up with The Mersey Girls.

It is 1950. Evie Kilgaren will see many changes on the horizon when she takes over the running of Skinner’s office, much to Susie Blackthorn’s chagrin as Danny shows Evie more interest than he shows her. We are also introduced to Grace Harris, the daughter of local battle-axe Ada and sister of dreamboat, Danny. Grace has it all. Looks, figure, and a deep soulful singing voice that takes her around the world on one of the prestigious D’Angelo Cruise Liner’s.

Susie, her so-called best friend is awaiting Grace’s homecoming with eager anticipation but with her covetous nature, the nearest Susie will ever get to tropical travel is turning a pale shade of sea green. However, unbeknown to Susie, Grace has come home with more than exotic tales of far-away places. Her life is in mortal danger.

Meanwhile, Connie is expecting a new addition to the family. And, when the good people of Reckoner’s Row hire a charabanc for a Summer daytrip to the Netherford Fete, little did they know that, as well as celebrating Skinner’s horses winning the Best in Show, they would also be welcoming their very own royal baby. But the story doesn’t end there when Evie discovers something that gladdens her heart, and makes her see Danny Harris in a whole new light.

When I began to write the Reckoner’s Row series, I didn’t realise how invested I would become to the characters or care so deeply for their wellbeing. Each household has a story. But, as one tale ends another takes shape, and I need to explore the how’s and why’s and wherefores. I cannot leave community secrets unexplored. Every family has a tale to tell, a mystery to solve, or a relationship to delve into.

Dockside Liverpool was a vibrant place, peopled mainly with Irish descendants who came over during the famine in the 1800s, and settled into the courts and alleys of Liverpool. They took any job they could and made a life for themselves. They were canny. They weren’t slow on the uptake and they lived, loved, and thrived in uncomfortable conditions that may bend their determination, but never broke it. I am inspired by and fascinated with old black and white photographs that have a tale to tell. They show people, places and a way of life long gone. When I look at them I think… What if…? And then another story begins to form in my imagination, and the characters vie for attention, eager to tell their tale.