The Windmill Girls

by Kay Brellend

A compelling wartime drama from the author of The Street, perfect for fans of Pam Weaver and Kitty Neale. The Windmill Theatre was one of the most famous clubs of the 20th century. Its heyday was during WWII when it famously ‘never closed’ and it became famous for its ‘tasteful’ nude performances. Dawn is a pretty and feisty blonde. Losing her job as a chambermaid, she goes to work as a dancer at The Windmill Theatre. Despite refusing to appear on stage naked, Dawn is taken on and soon gets a glimpse of London’s dark and seductive underbelly. She meets Olive, Renee and Rosie, women all with their own secrets to bear. Each of them will be have to draw on their courage to survive, not just Hitler and his bombs, but by the life they have chosen and the men that they cannot escape…

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2014

Reviews

[Linda O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the first book I've read from this author & I would definitely read another from her. The story starts off at a run & straight into the action, within the first few pages. The characters are wonderful. Story is fast - paced & I found it hard to put down. A follow up novel would be great. Though it is classed as a romance, it's not a slushy one. Well worth the read.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Kay Brellend's books and was extremely excited to receive a review copy of The Windmill Girls just before Christmas. Some of Kay's previous books have taken place on Campbell Road, a notorious London slum, with larger than life characters making the best of what they had (or rather didn't have). This time around much of the action takes place at the Windmill Theatre, focusing on a number of characters but namely five very different but headstrong women, Dawn, Rosie, Marlene, Gertie and Olive, some more likeable than others, and some with secrets that could wreak havoc should they get out. Kay creates strong characters, and female characters I think readers can really get behind, root for and perhaps see a little something of themselves in.

I read a lot of family sagas, which are typically romantic, fluffy reads whereas with Kay's books she really touches on the darker side of the war, not covering anything up or romanticising what was a very scary and dangerous time for a lot of people. Dawn witnesses a crime very early on in the book, and this sets the scene for the drama that unfolds over the course of the novel. Kay's descriptions of the area, the feelings of her characters and the action taking place on the page really transport you back in time to the point where I felt as if I was a part of the story, watching the action unfold from afar. In the beginning I had no idea where this story would go, but knew that if Kay's previous books were anything to go by it would be a story that had me gripped and The Windmill Girls certainly was gripping.

War changes people, both in good ways and bad and that is certainly the case with The Windmill Girls which features characters from both ends of the spectrum, some that I absolutely rooted for whilst others I found truly despicable. Kay creates characters that feel real, this is fiction but there's a little bit of fact and truth in there which gives this book an eerie sense of realism. It's hard, as always, to talk about the story too much but it is really good and at times exciting, though it does touch on some emotional subjects in places. Often with books like these you expect the typical happy ever after, but as with the war itself, that's not always the case and Kay doesn't shy away from that. All that said though the book is very much a celebration of times gone by, of people pulling together and good overcoming evil. The characters felt so real that I felt real hope for them, and the ending of the book felt a little open-ended which I hope means Kay will continue the story of these characters in a future book.

[J.A. Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was in audio version and I really enjoyed it., almost like a film in your head with the different characters. Hearing about the war and the effects it had on everyday life was really interesting. Throw in some villains, romance and a spy plot and it became thoroughly entertaining. I'd never heard of the Windmill Theatre but my mum and dad had and were interested when I told them the story. I'm moving towards audio more and more as it brings the book alive and seems to leave a lasting impression. Thoroughly recommend!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, a true orginal story of london during the blitz.

[Shmakhlooq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book (somehow) mistakingly thinking it was about a murder investigation and then found out halfway through the book that it’s about the lives of a group of people during the war.
I don’t read historical fiction because I don’t gravitate towards it and doesn’t interest me. However I found the lives of these people to be so interesting and the events that take place in the book so intriguing that I didn’t put the book down.

This book contains subjects such as rape, death, and prostitution. And even though I don’t like reading about these kinds of topics I found the events and the lives of these group of people so intriguing that I decided to keep on reading and I wasn’t disappointed.

If enjoy reading historical fiction I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason, I have never taken to novels with a cockney setting and tongue (away from my northern roots!) But I was attracted to the title having enjoyed the film "Mrs Henderson Entertains" starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins about the Windmill Theatre during the war. I liked the lead character in the book, Dawn, but not much else. Not for me.

[Della Oliver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it hard to finish this book I did not particularly like any of the characters
As the author did not go into depth to build my interest in them
I found the whole plot very dark and a bit depressing
In fact I was glad to get to the end

[BillReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The show must go on, intrigue and back stabbing, naive young girl, bootleg booze and undercover work during the blitz. Very good

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too much swearing for my liking but a good story

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one that took me a while to get into it but once I did get really enjoyed it.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst I felt this book was a good read, I struggled to really enjoy it. The characters were a little bland for me but the story line was acceptable.

[Megalion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it for the era and setting. I guess I expected something more than it delivered. Not a bad read though.

[Joy Keith]

really good , will read more by Kay Brellend

[Julie Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story about the girls who worked in the Windmill theatre in war time.

[Alison Boniface · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as it's set in a time period I really enjoy reading about. But instead of being set just around a family or one of the services for example it's set around a group of girls working at a theatre. I love how the characters beginning to evolve and change throughout the novel and how the war and it's fall out effects everyone young and old. Also the mention of the Mitford and their sympathies was a nice touch. All in all an excellent novel I would definitely recommended.