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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Murder and historical violence; the ending is brutal
Language
Some
Period strong language
Sexual Content
A lot
Explicit sexual content; prostitution is depicted with frankness
Substance Use
Barely any
Gin and period substance use
Emotional Intensity
Some
Themes of female poverty, desire, and what happens to those the world throws away
What this book is about
Mary Saunders is fourteen when she steals a red ribbon and is thrown out of her home. She becomes a prostitute in London's worst streets before finding a position as a seamstress in a respectable household — but her hunger for finery and freedom will not be quieted. Based on a real historical murder case. Dark, unflinching, and beautifully written.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Explicit sexual content (prostitution)
Historical violence and murder
Child prostitution depicted
Reader Verification
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