The compelling, gorgeously atmospheric tale of female friendship, redemption and betrayal, inspired by the incredible true story of female convicts at sea 'Beautifully written, an epic sea voyage with an intriguing murder mystery . . . an unputdownable read' KATIE FFORDE 'I was thoroughly entranced by the story, and the great murder mystery kept me guessing throughout. A real joy to read' 5***** Reader Review 'A gorgeous and compelling story with vibrant characters . . . I was fascinated' RACHEL HORE ______ London, 1841. The Rajah sails for Australia. On board are 180 women convicted of petty crimes, sentenced to start a new life half way across the world. Daughters, sisters, mothers - they'll never see home or family again. Despised and damned, all they have now is each other. Until the murder. As the fearful hunt for a killer begins, everyone on board is a suspect. The investigation risks tearing their friendships apart . . . But if the killer isn't found, could it cost them their last chance of freedom? Based on a real-life voyage, Dangerous Women is a sweeping tale of confinement, hope and the terrible things we do to survive. ______ 'A fascinating prose patchwork of the women's lives, stitched together by a twisting murder mystery. Engrossing and deeply satisfying - over the course of the journey we learn about the desperate lives of these women, many guilty only of petty crimes' The Times 'Hope Adams has skilfully patched a murder mystery into a historical event . . . Masterful plotting, well-drawn characters . . . an immensely satisfying read' Guardian 'A fine story of suspense, sisterhood and society, reflecting the harshness of women's lives and their desperation to survive in a world that has scant regard for their wellbeing' Daily Mail 'An intriguing murder-mystery, skilfully written and bursting with colour and life' Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane 'Dazzling. A captivating story filled with intrigue and dark secrets. An immensely satisfying tale of guilt, innocent and second chances' Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair 'A fabulous, page-turning novel that kept me gripped. It's impossible not to become engaged with these women' Jane Harris, author of The Observations 'This is a locked room mystery to end all locked room mysteries!' Sophie Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot 'This atmospheric narrative excels in its depiction of the relationship between female prisoners - largely petty criminals - and the tragic backstories that have brought them together' Mail on Sunday

The compelling, gorgeously atmospheric tale of love, betrayal and innocence, inspired by the incredible true story of female convicts 'Beautifully written, an epic sea voyage with an intriguing murder mystery . . . an unputdownable read' KATIE FFORDE 'I was thoroughly entranced by the story, and the great murder mystery kept me guessing throughout. A real joy to read' 5***** Reader Review 'A gorgeous and compelling story with vibrant characters . . . I was fascinated' RACHEL HORE ______ Kezia Hayter knows these women aren't dangerous. One hundred and eighty petty convicts, all sentenced to transportation to Australia. On board the Rajah, Kezia makes it her duty to redeem them, enlisting a select few to create an intricate quilt. With each stitch, they are tied closer together. But when one woman is murdered, Kezia's work is threatened. She maintains faith in their innocence, even when the men leading the investigation do not. But if she can't find the killer, how can Kezia save them? Based on a real-life voyage, Dangerous Women is a sweeping tale of confinement, hope and the terrible things we do to survive. ______ 'An intriguing murder-mystery, skilfully written and bursting with colour and life' Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane 'Dazzling. A captivating story filled with intrigue and dark secrets. An immensely satisfying tale of guilt, innocent and second chances' Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair 'A fabulous, page-turning novel that kept me gripped. It's impossible not to become engaged with these women' Jane Harris, author of The Observations 'This is a locked room mystery to end all locked room mysteries!' Sophie Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot Readers are entranced by Dangerous Women: 'I thoroughly enjoyed this clever, poignant tale of embroidery and murder on the high seas' 5***** Reader Review 'A wonderfully inspiring read, full of compassion and friendship. Full of the social history of the time, I enjoyed this book immensely' 5***** Reader Review 'A fascinating book about a group of women determined to survive' 5***** Reader Review 'I sat down and read Dangerous Women in one go. I don't think I could have put it down if the house was on fire!' 5***** Reader Review 'I have fallen in love with this story! I loved how all the women felt real and all their faults. A GEM of a book' 5***** Reader Review

*PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY* Inspired by a true story, Dangerous Women is a devastating and thought-provoking tale about female anger, subservience and, ultimately, strength London, 1841. Two hundred Englishwomen file aboard the RAJAH, the ship that will take them on a three-month voyage to the other side of the world. They're daughters, sisters, mothers - and convicts. Transported for petty crimes. Except one of their number is a secret killer, fleeing justice. When a woman is mortally wounded, the hunt is on for the culprit. But who would attack one of their own, and why?