The Abandoned is an intriguing novel that follows protagonist Peggy as she navigates life in 1950'S Dublin. Now, for me, the 1950's feels sort of like it is a long time ago - before I was born and not too long after the war, so the attitudes of the menfolk towards women should not really come as much of a surprise. But when you think that, for the majority of us, this is out parents, or if you are really young, Grandparents generation, it is strange to think that some of the liberties we (mostly) enjoy today as women, were not available to our predecessors. Now, I'm not talking anything major, or at least not in my eyes, but the most basic of things such as the right to be treated with respect, to have command over our own bodies and to determine when, or even if, we wish to have a child. These are some of the themes explored by Sharon Thompson in this novel, as well as organised crime and, surprisingly perhaps, mental health.

Peggy Bowden is, what would politely be called, a Madame. She runs a house of ill repute and specialises in services which were very much illegal at the time in question - providing abortions to those who need them. Young, unwed women, whose lives would not be worth living if such scandal was uncovered, or even mothers who, several children in, cannot cope with another addition to the family. Now Ireland is a devout Catholic country and it is only in all too recent years that provision of such services have been legalised, or that attitudes to single motherhood have changed. Matters were dealt with in very different ways back in the 1950's, and falling fowl of the law had already cost Peggy plenty, landing her in gaol and leaving her with little options than to pursue the life she is leading when we first meet.

Now, nothing in that life is straightforward, as you'd probably expect, and a lapse in concentration leads to a devastating event. This is just the forst of many life changing events for Peggy, and as we journey along this unexpected road with her, I felt a mixture of emotions, sometimes anger, sometimes pity, very often sadness, knowing that her situation was born from the unfairness of genetics. For the want of a slightly different set of chromosomes, her life might have been vastly different. I did like Peggy. I was intrigued by her feisty, defiant nature, but also by the unpredictable moments of insecurity and vulnerability that we got to witness. She was someone just looking for someone to love her in the way her Mammy had, and yet who failed to find this unconditional love at every turn.

Sharon Thompson leads us into the world of organized crime, with a previously unknown family connection providing Peggy the financial security if not the love. Despite this, her life becomes ever more complicated, and at times it was actually much easier to feel for Peggy, despite some of the seemingly suspect choices she makes. We track her descent into a kind of melancholy, or perhaps madness, the cause of which can't really be pinpointed to one single act, but from what we learn of Peggy's past, I can see it was somewhat inevitable. The book really seems to capture the spirit of the city and the time, and I felt transported back to a time where life may have been simpler on the surface, but was on the cusp of something different. Something new. The narrative is perfectly paced, and the descriptions clear, allowing me to clearly picture both time and space, and the characters who inhabited it.

This was, as a say, a really intriguing, often thought provoking read. Seeing everything that is happening in the world of late, particularly in North America where women's rights are slowly but surely being eroded in many ultra conservative states, it's a very relevant novel too. The 'Me Too' movement is too well established to allow our rights to be set back as far as this perhaps, but it certainly doesn't take a lot of imagination to put ourselves into some of these women's shoes when perhaps, just a few short years ago, we might have been able to say 'never again.'

#TheAbandoned is the author Sharon Thompsons debut novel and let's just say that I'm looking forward to the next book. #TheAbandoned is set in 1950s Dublin and around Peggy Bowden, a fallen midwife and now runs a brothel with a sideline in performing backstreet abortions,

Nothing in Peggys life has been easy, from a mentally disturbed mother to a life of violence orchestrated by someone from who should have protected her. Despite her best intentions she tries hard to do the right thing but it doesn't always work out for her. Coming to the attention of the local villain her life changes again but still Peggy won't be cowed by anyone and doesn't always keep schtum, Peggy will virtually always speak her mind


Thanks to the author Ms. Thompson, #Netgalley and #Bloodhound Books. all opinions are mine and mine alone.

One of the best thing that I found after reading The Abandoned is that it's fast-paced. It's a story that's filled with lots of action. One thing or other, something for sure is taking place in the story as one moves forward while reading the book. In doing so one needs to remember that it's waste of time if one tries to link it with previous chapters and this is where the author succeeds in telling a story of a woman that's disturbing, at times annoying, at times even shocking and yes it's disturbing.

Even with these elements, the story does not tend or tread on a negative track as far as one's thinking is concerned when it comes to being a reader. One of the reasons for this is because it works very well as a thriller. One episode after another and this again after keeping in mind that the story is set in 1950 in Ireland.

An emotional story of a woman, her life's journey, which is definitely disturbing and yes it works very well as a thriller.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this riveting novel.
This is a debut novel by Ms Thompson, and foretells of many more pleasant hours to be spend! The book is set in the 1950's in Dublin, before the internet and social media and social reform. In the 1950's women didn't have a mind and a voice, and it was a bit frustrating to read how poor Peggy was abused and what she did to survive.
A riveting and endearing tale, recommended.

This book grabbed me from the start, an enjoyable but sometimes uncomfortable read, Hard to put down.

1950's Dublin and Peggy Bowden, widow and disgraced midwife is running a low key brothel in the backstreets as well as performing illegal abortions. Raised by a mentally ill mother and forced into an abusive marriage as a young woman, she still has her beauty and intelligence but this is not enough to keep her safe from the violent manipulations of the local crime king. When an abortion goes tragically wrong and her star prostitute tries to commit suicide she is introduced to her grandfather, a wealthy criminal master who has returned from America to take control of the streets. This is an atmospheric, compelling novel that promises no fairy tale ending. At a time when society was ruled by men and women had no rights, the issues raised in this novel still resonate five decades later.

I had some high hopes for this book, that didn't work out for me. Peggy had a horrible childhood. She made it through it, and after some more awful choices decides to help other women. She's had abuse and abandonment to cope with. It's the 1950's so things aren't like they are now. In her quest to help others, that is when everything changed to something I didn't like. Sadly, nothing redeemed that. The author did seem to try to handle the abortion and birth control issues as gently as she could, but still, their's not any help for dead babies. It just made me really depressed and needs to have had trigger warnings. I wouldn't have picked this book up had I realized where it was going to go. The writing is good, but the book just doesn't work for me.

My copy came from Net Galley. These are my thoughts and opinions​ of this book, left of my own free will.

Peggy Bowden had a childhood that was anything but easy. Her mother was committed to an asylum and then Peggy was coerced into a marriage with an abusive man. When that man dies, she takes the opportunity to train as a midwife.

In time, she opens a maternity home and she becomes quite successful. And had she stopped there, her story would have been much different.

Lack of birth control is a big problem for the women on the 1950s .. .especially in Ireland. In her desire to help women, she finds herself living the life of a criminal.

The subjects of birth control and abortion were handled as delicately as possible, but it may still be a trigger for some. I had a hard time relating to the topic and the characters within. Regretfully, this book just didn't do it for me.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE ABANDONED. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Before reading "The Abandoned" I had never heard of author Sharon Thompson, but after finishing this novel, I look forward to reading everything else she has written. The novel follows Peggy, a woman who has survived by doing some morally questionable things, but I couldn't help but root for her along the way. Peggy was a fascinating and complex character, and Thompson does an excellent job of weaving her story along with multiple fascinating characters. Overall, an excellent read.

A gripping and enjoyable read,not my uual kind of read but enjoyed it,a great debut novel

Utterly compelling and gripping read. Edgy with plenty of twists to keep you guessing

the abandoned by Sharon Thompson.
in 1950 Dublin it's not easy for Peggy bourden to make a living. what makes a woman decide to walk down a dark path?
Will she pay for her crimes?
a fantastic read. I wasn't sure if I liked Peggy or not. loved the story though. 5*.

This is a gripping thriller set in Ireland in the 1950's. it starts off a bit confusing but I was soon hooked. The main character, Peggy, is a midwife in Dublin. The theme of prostitution, illegal abortion, murder and runaways is handled sensitively by the author and Peggy is a true survivor. I loved her in the first part of the book but the second part just did not work for me. I still give it 3 stars. Many thanks to Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook.

This is not my usual type of book but I'm so glad I read it. Although dark and gritty, I found It hard to put down.
Peggy is a fantastic and complex character. I loved this debut and looking forward to reading more by Sharon Thompson. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

Not my usual type of book but I was totally entranced from the start. It is an enthralling yet gentle thriller, a juxtaposition of a story. A must read.

I found this a powerful read, uncomfortable at times, and very evocative of the era in which it was set. The story was well written with some multi-faceted characters. I actually felt a great deal of sympathy for Peggy, which surprised me in view of some of the things she became involved in. A very good read, which did keep my attention, worthy of four stars.

This book was a gripping crime thriller, i couldn't put it down and read it straight through! Peggy Bowden did not have an easy life, it was one thing after another. The plot has many twists that you do not see coming. My advice? Read it, you won't regret it!

What a great debut! Ms Thompson creates a wonderful world full of intrigue with a protagonist that is both troubling and relatable - even as you question her deeds, you find yourself understanding her reasons and admiring her ability to put herself at risk to do what needs to be done. Add to that the extremely vivid descriptions of 1950's Dublin, and this book is one that is difficult to put down!

Sowohl die Geschichte als auch der Stil, in dem dieses Buch geschrieben ist, sind derart überzeugend, daß es erstaunlich ist, daß es sich hier um ein Debüt handelt.
Düstere Geschichte um Peggy, die sich im Dublin der 1950er Jahre durchschlagen muss.

2.5 stars - I can honestly say I’ve not read a historical crime fiction novel like this one before – there was so much I enjoyed about this novel and so much that didn’t work for me, and even after pondering my thoughts for a few days, I’m still conflicted.

Let’s start with what I really enjoyed – the character of Peggy Bowden. She was such an interesting character, she had this hard-outer image that she portrayed to the world because she felt it was necessary for her survival, as a woman, in 1950’s Ireland; but I could see this vulnerability in her, and despite some of her horrid actions, it made me warm to her character.

“The back of my hand is wet with my sorrow and shame.”

What Peggy experiences, some will say is karma, but there was one point in this book where my heart broke for her because of what she went through, and she went through it alone.

I really enjoyed the first half of this novel, I liked that the historical fiction setting was the seedy underworld of Ireland as oppose to the “prim and proper” – that gave this novel a dark atmosphere which echoed the themes mentioned in this novel.

Where things started to take a turn for me was when Peggy found herself fully immersed in the criminal underworld. I thought things became a bit too extreme in the sense that this went from being a novel high in believability, a character [Peggy] who’s fate I was interested in learning about in a more profound [for want of a better word] way into this novel with a “criminal gangster vibe” – this change in dynamic didn’t work for me.

There’s no denying The Abandoned is rich in its raw grittiness, and I must mention, it contains themes of back street abortions that some readers may find disturbing, but the overall novel isn’t disturbing in it’s delivery.

As I mentioned I really enjoyed the first half of this novel, can you recommend a book on only enjoying half of it? Sadly, I don’t think you can, but I’ve seen the potential in this novel and I will read Thompson’s next book to see how I find it.