A Crooked Mile

by Ruth Hamilton

Tess Duffy believes Myrtle Street is cursed, but few people believe her. Yet the street's tragedies will feature in local gossip for years to come. It is left to Megan, the third Duffy child, to end the curse. Embroiled in a web of deceit, she needs all her strength to survive.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

419 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Ruth Hamilton was one of North West England's most popular writers. She was the bestselling author of twenty-five novels, including Spinning Jenny, The Bells of Scotland Road, Mulligan's Yard, Mersey View and That Liverpool Girl. She was born in Bolton, which is the setting for many of her novels, and spent most of her life in Lancashire.

(source: http://www.panmacmillan.com/author/ru...)

Reviews

[Louise Wilson]

Joe Duffy, a Bolton tradesman, strives to lift his family out of the "garden" streets. But more children are born, Joe's wife Tess, sinks deeper into the obsession that will be her undoing. When Tess screams her belief that the area is cursed, few people heed her ravings. She is ignored, even as Myrtle Street tragedies become for frequent and begin to feature in local gossip. It's left to Megan, the third Duffy child - the one who felt unworthy and unloved because she had been born a girl - to end the curse. When she becomes embroiled in a web of deceit, Megan needs all her strength to survive.

We follow seven year old Megan from childhood through to becoming an adult. This boo is a real tear jerker but there's some humour too. I got caught up in this story after the first few chapters and I didn't want to put the book down. A story filled with tragedy, love and joy. This is a well written story that held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUk #TransworldPublishers and the author #RuthHamilton for my ARC of #ACrookedMile in exchange for an honest review.

[Lou]

Starting with 7 year old Megan - walk the crooked mile as she goes from child to adult. A wonderful book full of love, joy, tragedy and the people of the mill village. Like takes us all on a journey and the crooked miles keep us from seeing what is in the future. Thus we can live our lives as they happen.

[MRS MOLLY J SMALLMAN]

So enjoyable, didn't want to put book down.

I so enjoy Ruth Hamilton's books this one the best one yet. I am sure there will be many more. I didn't want to put book down.. Her story's are so good.

[The Cruciverbalistic Bookworm]

If not for the too many tragedies, mostly among the poor of the UK in the early 20th century, this would have been a writer I fervently wished I had discovered before. Good quality, compassionate writing with a horde of mostly well-formed characters.

[Joan Hall]

Thoroughly enjoyed book couldn't put it down ,first time I've read Ruth Hamiton work and will certainly read more of her works

[c m bolton]

A long mile

This story has held me in with them with every page. Ruth brings the people to live and helps you love them. Fabulous from the first page to the last. A must read.

[Lesley Hammond]

A crooked mile was sad but I lived everything about it. I smiled and I cried

Loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. I loved the way everything was captured by the child like things the children done

[Elizabeth Cleland]

Nice read

Thoroughly enjoyed this book kept reading till finished. So sad at times I could have cried but nice times in book so kept interest going till end!

[Pat McNay]

A crooked mile

Another lovely saga from Ruth Hamilton,I loved getting to know all the characters n wishing them the best of lives.

[Kathleen Smith]

I loved it I didn't want it to stop I really do hope that there is another book to carry on through the next generations PLEASE