3.5 stars rounded up.

A confident and surprisingly dark debut from Emma Cowing! (probably wouldn't have been as surprised if I've read the blurb properly, but I do find blurbs problematic - they so often give away information that I'd rather find out myself...)

Cowing has drawn on her own ancestry to recreate the travelling circuses of Scotland in the 1900s. Our four central protagonists are: Lena, who acts as 'ring-mistress'; Violet, already a very talented and sought after, although volatile, trapeze artist; Rosie, a 'flattie' (someone who was brought up in a 'normal' house) who has devised her own act with pony called Tommy; and Carmen, a Spanish women chased by poverty, previously working as a prostitute in her desperation.

I originally thought the title was slightly weird; shouldn't it be The Show Women rather than Woman, but Lena is the glue that holds them together. It's her who, after the death of her father, decides to start a 'Ladies' Circus' and brings the group together. They all come with their own histories and 'baggage': Violet has been fired from perhaps the greatest circus of all time, and also wants to move away from her family's shadow (they're all circus folk); Rosie is escaping from her own father's abuse; and Carmen is pretty elusive, but steadfast in her Catholicism - what is she atoning for?

Still, Lena manages to brings this unlikely quartet together and they become a real success after a few false starts. That is, until the greater problems begin...

I find this somewhat slow to get into, but I would have liked to see more of the circus's conception and success before the major conflict began, but it sped up in the last 1/2-2/3. I would also have loved to see more of Rosie and Carmen's backstories, as they are both somewhat glossed over, particularly Carmen. Still, the denouement was devastating, so I was definitely invested in the characters.

The final twist was... interesting. There had been clues scattered throughout the book, but it somehow wasn't quite satisfying. The bittersweet ending felt appropriate, but (without going into details) there were some characters who weren't explored fully. Therefore, even though the loose ends were mostly tied up, the bittersweet ending wasn't entirely satisfactory.

This is a hard book because of the subject matter. I love books about circuses, and this is the darkest one I have read. The setting was a bit underused - as I said, I would have liked to see more of the conception of the Ladies' Circus itself, alongside the character development - which was probably my biggest disappointment.

Overall, this is definitely a book worth reading. A great deal of research has obviously gone into this novel, and I loved recognising the various Scottish places and trusting Cowing that the historical elements were correct. What a fascinating niche to write into! With a few more tweaks, this could have been excellent.

I'll look out for Emma Cowing in the future; I'd love to hear more about Scotland (and possibly the circus again if she can write another novel with such a similar setting) in the early 20th century.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the review copy.

This is such a beautifully written story, following Lena, who has grown up among the travelling fairs with her father. Her mother disappeared when Lena was young, and when her father dies following an accident, Lena decides to sell up and develop a womens circus.
Joined by Carmen, Rosie and Violet, all with tragic back stories- abuse and prostitution are just some of the subjects touched upon - The Show Woman is a fascinating story of circus life in 1910’s Scotland.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.5⭐️

The premise of this sounded incredible and exactly the sort of thing I usually love but unfortunately I found it lacked any real depth and it left me disappointed.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book and I initially loved the four female characters and the circus scenes. But it ended up going in a completely different direction which just wasn’t my cup of tea.

I honestly thought it was going to be a fun, feminist tale of their success and I was so ready for the story to take me on a magical journey. But it fell so flat in the second half and I started to lose interest tbh. I didn’t feel like the characters or the plot had any depth to it and I ended up skimming the last few chapters just to get it finished.

Great premise but the execution wasn’t quite there for me unfortunately

Since her mother disappeared, Lena and her father have run the family carousel touring Scotland's fairs. However, when her father dies Lena is left alone. She decides to sell the carousel and is persuaded to set up the first all woman circus. Now the small show is beginning to see success. After a tragic accident Lena closes the show but investigating this further will help her answer some of her own questions.
Set in the early part of the century, this is a great debut novel. The setting amongst the itinerant show people is unusual and works really well, the characters develop well and there is agood sense of place. For me the plot was a little too overblown, just too much there but it doesn't detract from this being a really good read.

I was drawn to this book as I find the idea of circuses and fairs fascinating and loved the focus on women. The story follows Lena Loveridge after the death of her father where she tries to start up a ladies only circus. There is a lot that happens including a few twists that I hadn't expected at all (and wouldn't be as believable if they weren't travellers). I found the book a little slow to get into but it really started to pick up pace and you began to be invested in this group of show women and men. I also loved the connection to the authors family history. Would recommend!

First of all I want to thank Net Galley and Emma Cowing for the opportunity for the ARC of The Show Woman!

Truthfully this book was just not my style, although I knew there would be more of a historical element I don't think I fully grasped how much historical nature there would be (and this is totally my fault I know). Therefore I unfortunately did not finish the book. HOWEVER the parts I did read were beautifully written, I loved the concept of an all-female circus and the exploration of found family was amazing. I also enjoyed how the book started with a major lifer event which I found to be a very compelling way to start the journey for the main character.

Overall if you are into historical fiction I would totally recommend this book! I do think that it is wonderfully written and quite an interesting story!

What a brilliant debut novel, based on the lives of show women who forged their way in life despite all odds and at a time when such attitudes were frowned upon.
Lena, whose father passes away at the start of the book has always known a life on the road and wants to start her own travelling fair. In order to finance it she sells her father’s old wooden carousel and takes to the open road . Along the way she is joined by Violet, a talented trapeze artist who is seeking a new venture having incurred the wrath of her former employer Serena Linden.

Rosie is escaping the clutches of her violent father and joins the little band of women with her pony and bare-back riding act.
The final member of the little troupe is Carmen, a Spanish girl with a dubious past who has a phenomenal musical talent.

The novel details their lives on the road together and the harsh struggles they have to overcome to get and keep their show on the road in a male-dominated world. Alongside this, we learn more about each of their lives and how they have come to be together. Absolutely fabulous read and highly recommended.

A beautifully written book which drew me in instantly and thrilled me with the lives and loves of the show women in this novel! Emma's family history adds to the autheticity of this book and its characters - I really enjoyed learning about the characters' lives on the road. Lots of drama and twists and family secrets in this book - a must-read! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this novel.

This book certainly had it's moments, I always appreciate a historical fiction and especially around something I am less familiar - the life of circus people in the early 20th century. But unfortunately I never felt truly gripped by this book, despite my interest in the story overall I didn't feel as though I really warmed to the characters.
I'd have loved to know more about how the circus operated and the work of life on the road, but had an enjoyable time all the same.

Overall, this is refreshing and unique read, and a tale that is clearly really close to the author’s heart as it’s inspired by her ancestry. Set in 1900s circus life Scotland, we follow four women who set up their own show as a travelling circus, in a world where four women alone aren’t supposed to have the autonomy to do such a feat. A tale of sisterhood, the bond (good and bad) that ties women together, the ties between life and death. Overall this was an easy and quick read, with an interesting premise that felt refreshing in the current climate of the “same” books being churned out at an alarming pace. If I had to quibble I had to say that I wish there more… depth? Depth to the characters, depth to the romances (they just happened because the plot demanded it, I didn’t understand why they happened or feel any strong way about the pairings), depth to the society, but maybe this wasn’t that type of writing- I can’t tell. I really adored the relationships between our protagonists and wished we saw more, maybe there is sequel potential here which I would wholeheartedly read. I could have spent hours and hours reading about them sharing their feelings, traumas, and just existing in a caravan together. My favourite by far was Carmen, who interestingly enough we get the least of, which tantalising as part of her character is how ashamed and secretive she is of her past (and present) doing what it takes to survive as a woman alone in the world. 100% recommend! @girlie_reads_anything

Step into the life of a show woman during the early 1900s.
Lena, the daughter of a fairground man, is brought up travelling the roads of Scotland with her father after her mother mysteriously disappears one day. When her father dies, Lena has to decide what she will do next and takes a big step into the show life, opening a women's only circus. Four women, a pony and a show tent set off on a tour around Scotland, and they are soon drawing in the crowds to see this unusual sight of a female circus.
Each young woman has her own reasons for being on the road and their stories are told as the book progresses. Then tragedy hits the all woman circus leaving Lena desperate to find out exactly what happened.
The author demonstrates in-depth research of the life of the travelling show folk in the descriptions of the life and how it was lived, which I really enjoyed. The characters are memorable and believable as you follow their lives. It was a hard life on the road and this is depicted well in this story. A great read.

This is a fairly rounded up 3/5. If I were able to 2.25-2.5 would be more accurate.

Up til about 90% or just under, I was with this book as a powerful story about friendship, found family, and sisterhood. But I was unconvinced by nearly every plot twist after that point: what happened to Violet, you want me to believe she didn't notice before she leapt something was wrong? And the conversation with Mary, Serena, and Harry, Lena, and Mary. plus the whole thing with who was behind Violet's accident.

I was painfully unconvinced.

Also the inconsistent accenting of the dialogue was irritating. Either give people the accents consistently or don't. Having the odd "cannae" "dinnae" was just unnecessary.

The fact this was inspired by Cowing's own family history was interesting and added a personal touch.

Shame about the last 10-12% of things though.

I have just finished this book and and am both devastated and revitalised. Reviews are always full of metaphors - sometimes more than the books themselves - and in this I am happy to join in. I was blown away, cradled, comforted, smashed on the rocks again wrung out like an Edwardian dress put through a wringer and left out high and to dry. (Yes similes are allowed!)

In full disclosure I am a writer myself and, like the author, I have come from show people on my mother's side. Clowns mainly you will not be surprised to hear, dear fellow reader! So I especially relished this story. Most reviews also are almost always full of spoilers, which I detest more than spiders and snakes, quite frankly! So, I won't give away the narrative plot here, but like all good stories the paths lead you to places you did not expect to be led to, and the turns and twists on the journey there will leave you just as giddy as a twenty minute ride on a Waltzer. It is the story of some very different, and special young women as they take on the Patriarchy in Canvas. To establish their own Ladies Show in such a competitive, dangerous and misogynistic (in all it's brutish forms) world comes with all the risks, thrills and dangers you might expect. But our heroine takes them all on with the gravity and reality denying courage as one of her awesome characters, flying through the night air and somersaulting from one slender swing bar to another. There is tragedy - the forging fire of triumphal spirit throughout. No mollycoddling for the show women or their audience - that is to say, you. And here there certainly be dragons! But characters to love and be drawn in by too, St George's in female form one and all of them!

I genuinely got to half way through and was enjoying it so much I felt a little heartsick, knowing there was going to be less in front of me than behind. And I didn't like that. Not one bit. I wanted the show to go on. The show must go on! But alas with a plot that uncovered more secrets, passions and trials - the brilliant ringmaster Lena and Emma, bowed all too soon and the show was over. Leaving I am sure, countless number of their audience, weeping and cheering, clamouring and enamouring (I know :) Roaring and Imploring for Encore!

Moreover... I am demanding a sequel. There are far, far too many adventures for these brilliant women to go on, and what marvellous shows the telling of them will be. Jumping courageously and dazzlingly through all sorts of burning hoops no doubt.

In short: I am a fan.

Marc Peirson
Sunday Times N0 1 Best selling Author. (Once ;) )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it a fascinating insight into the circus/travelling life and that of women working in that circle. I love that the story was inspired by a relative of the author. Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc.

I thought this to be a really fun and interesting topic - historical novels aren't usually my go-to but found the premise to be intriguing. The novel is really well written, took a little time for me to get into it but one I enjoyed.

This book was a gorgeous exploration of the often-overlooked world of women in the UK fairground scene. In a market saturated with American-set stories, The Show Woman felt refreshingly rooted in British culture and perspective. Emma Cowing weaves a rich tale of female agency, identity, and legacy.

I particularly loved the queer representation and the aching sense of longing that runs through the relationships. The twists in Lena’s lineage were compelling, adding depth and drama to the emotional stakes.

Cowing captures the spirit of the fairground beautifully—both glittering and gritty. It’s a world of found family and fraught family ties, love and loss, longing and belonging. A bold, heartfelt story that lingers.

An absolutely stunning debut historical fiction novel! Set in 1910 Scotland, the story follows Lena, Violet, Rosie, and Carmen as they establish a women-only traveling circus after enduring traumatic experiences. These four women confront adversity and discrimination at every turn, showcasing their resilience and courage as they navigate numerous challenges. The narrative is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, with a captivating portrayal of their friendship that makes the characters feel authentic and relatable.
This novel is truly memorable, and Emma Cowing demonstrates her talent as a storyteller, writing with evident passion. Her meticulous attention to detail and the depth of her characters are remarkable.
A special mention goes to Tommy Pony.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lena Loveridge has grown up in the travelling fairs, her father owned a Carousel. But when her father dies following an accident she is left an orphan. Violet who she has grown up with, a trapeze artist with Linden's Circus persuades her to open a Ladies Circus. Lena sells the Carousel and with the funds buy a tent and set off with the travelling fairs, being joined by Rosie a bareback rider and Carmen an acrobat.
All is going well until tragedy strikes, will Lena recover?
A beautifully told story of the travelling fairs.

Emma Cowing’s The Show Woman is a rich, emotionally resonant tale of resilience, rebellion, and reinvention set against the vivid backdrop of Edwardian-era fairgrounds. With its cast of fiercely determined women and lush historical detail, this novel is both a celebration of sisterhood and a powerful critique of the societal constraints that sought to confine women to the margins.

The story centers on Lena, a young woman whose life in the circus is shattered by the sudden loss of both parents. Faced with limited choices—marriage or factory work—Lena instead makes a daring decision, inspired by Violet, a flame-haired, fiercely independent trapeze artist with no interest in fitting into a world that has never made space for her. Together, they forge a plan to create an all-female performance act, a defiant move in a world that sees female ambition as a threat.

The heart of the novel lies in the bond between the women—Lena, Violet, Rosie, and Carmen—each with her own trauma, secrets, and strength. Cowing crafts their stories with compassion and depth, avoiding caricature in favor of layered, believable portraits. Whether it’s Rosie fleeing her violent father or Carmen hiding her pain behind bright ribbons and bravado, these women are survivors who choose solidarity over silence.

The Edwardian setting is impeccably realized—from the grit and glamour of the fairgrounds to the shadows of poverty, sexism, and violence that loom just beyond the spotlight. But The Show Woman isn’t only historical fiction—it’s a reminder that the struggles for autonomy, equality, and safety are enduring ones, resonating across the decades.

Cowing’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, capturing both the whimsy of the traveling circus and the weight of the characters’ emotional journeys. She expertly balances the romantic, the tragic, and the empowering, weaving a narrative that is as heartfelt as it is gripping.

Verdict:
The Show Woman is a triumphant, feminist tale of grit and glitter, where women build not just a show—but a life—on their own terms. Emma Cowing delivers a moving, memorable novel that will stay with readers long after the final curtain falls.

An interesting premise, well executed. Cleverly crafted characters a brilliant plot. An enjoyable read.