The Emerald Shawl set in Bristol in the 1960s is an atmospheric historical mystery with a host of wonderful characters.

Nelly a strong ambiguous determined young reporter who is desperate to break it into the work of investigative reporting is stuck in the monotony of a woman's column. She a tenacious resilient character who you can't help but respect and want her to succeed.

An engaging inspiring read well deserving of its five stars.

Louise Douglas returns with another gothic masterpiece in The Emerald Shawl, a sumptuously atmospheric historical mystery published in 1864 Bristol. Dark docklands, whispered secrets, and the silken drapes of an emerald shawl are the elements of a story threaded with peril and intrigue.

The tale is one of Nelly Brooks, a journalist tasked with reporting about domestic hints, who finds herself catapulted into a world of murder and betrayal. When a seamstress she has just met is murdered, Nelly learns the woman had pleaded with her to look into another suspicious death; that of a rich man's wife. Despite the repression of rigid Victorian society, where women's roles are strictly circumscribed, Nelly struggles to assume the role of investigator, equipped only with her bravery, sharp mind, and sense of right and wrong.

The writer skillfully conjures up a universe of smoky warehouses, glittering drawing rooms, and treacherous struggles for power. Her prose is rich and evocative, weighing gothic suspense against acerbic social commentary regarding class and gender. Nelly is a heroine to cheer on; she's flawed, resolute, and wonderfully outspoken in a society that wishes her silent.

Haunting, suspenseful, and exquisitely written, The Emerald Shawl is a compelling gothic mystery ideal for readers of Lucinda Riley and Jane Eyre.

Set in 1864 Bristol, England, the story begins with journalist Nelly Brooks meeting a nervous woman, Eliza Morgan, who wants to reveal details about the possible murder of a wealthy lady. They plan to meet the next day, but Nelly is shocked to learn that Eliza has drowned overnight. While it’s suggested she drunkenly fell into the water, Nelly doubts this explanation due to their previous conversation. Eliza had pleaded with Nelly to investigate the death, even though Nelly’s role at the newspaper was limited to writing about domestic topics, not actual investigations. Despite feeling unqualified and believing she should have involved a male colleague, Nelly feels compelled to uncover the truth, as Eliza trusted her. Meanwhile, Nelly is also drawn into another tragic case involving a family unable to recover their daughter’s body. Could these two deaths be connected?

This historical novel explores various themes, shedding light on what it meant to be a working woman in a male-dominated world, the harsh realities of poverty, and the stigma faced by women who had children out of wedlock. The protagonist is loosely inspired by a real person, adding an authentic touch to the narrative. With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Louise Douglas delivers a darkly gothic and gripping historical novel with The Emerald Shawl. Set in 1864 Bristol, the story follows Nelly Brooks, a determined journalist drawn into a tangled web of murder, secrets, and societal intrigue after discovering a seamstress dead in the docks. The novel expertly combines suspense, atmospheric Victorian settings, and a strong, resourceful heroine challenging the era’s gender norms. Douglas’ vivid descriptions and masterful plotting keep readers on edge, while the twists and hidden dangers make the story utterly unputdownable.

Verdict: A thrilling, gothic historical mystery perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and Jane Eyre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Dark, suspenseful, and hauntingly atmospheric.

Overall, I thought The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas was a light easy read, with a quick paced mystery of murder, abuse, betrayal, and secrets; which wraps up this case neatly by the end, but also leaves the door open for possible future investigations.
My Rating: Good ❤️❤️

In this fun new Victorian historical mystery novel, readers follow journalist Nelly Brooks as she tries to uncover the reason behind the murder of a local seamstress whose emerald shawl Nelly has in her possession. Having met the day before, the seamstress asked Nelly to investigate another woman’s (the original owner of the shawl) death, but Nelly technically isn’t supposed to investigate anything. Defying her boss and braving the risks of this unknown killer, Nelly decides to find the truth no matter who she has to confront or investigate. Packed with details, fascinating, and absolutely entertaining, readers will love the depth to this new mystery novel and its historical setting. The characters are well-written, detailed, and fascinating, and readers will really enjoy solving the mystery alongside Nelly. The mystery itself is fascinating and interesting, and the historical setting and added drama of the class and gender conflicts at play will intrigue readers. The attention to detail and the intricacy of the different storylines and threads of the mystery will keep readers on their toes throughout the book, and Louise Douglas has brought a fascinating side of 1864 Bristol to life in this new, immersive, intense, and high-stakes historical mystery novel.

I always enjoy Louise’s books and this is a super historical mystery with an engaging and sympathetic character at its heart. Nelly has such a sad backstory, being placed in an asylum for the ‘crime’ of having a child at 15. Despite this awful start she starts to rebuild her life and when her job as a reporter on a local paper leads her to a suspicious death and murder, she has to investigate, putting herself in danger. I loved the characters of Nelly, her colleague Will and her landladies who showed her nothing but kindness.

The descriptions of Bristol in the 1800’s gave the story an atmospheric feel and it was easy to visualise the slums and the dirt with the stench pervading everything. A fantastic evocative story which also showed a different side to Nelly when dealing with difficult family matters. I was totally invested in Nelly’s life and rooting for her all the way. I would love to see a follow up story featuring Nelly.

Firstly thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the chance to read this book . Louise has gone and done it again . A good Victorian era mystery book , very well written and the descriptions make you feel as you are part of it.
Louise never fails to deliver good characters and storyline . Would recommend .

The Emerald Shawl
By: Louise Douglas

5 Stars

Nelly knows her fair share of pain. She was in an asylum for 10 years for having a child at a young age. Now, she is out, thanks to an aunt. She has a home and a job at the paper. She becomes embroiled in a mystery when a woman comes in spouting a crazy tale, then ends up dead. Soon, Nelly is onto the story of her life following a prominent man and the death of his young wife and child. This story leads Nelly and everyone she is close to on a journey steeped in danger.

This was such a complex story. It was about Nelly and her child, while also being about Nelly and the time she spent in the asylum. Then, It was also a great murder mystery that is steeped in danger, drama, and mysticism. This was a story that was descriptive and intriguing. It captivates from the beginning. It was filled with so much history, and It had so much emotion. This was a great book that really had all my favorite things. Emotions, history, drama, romance, danger, I mean, what more can a reader ask for in a good book? I have learned that this author always delivers a moving story. I have become quite the fan.


*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

I enjoyed this book but it felt very different from Louise's other novels, of which I've read quite a few. Engaging read all the same and I would recommend.

Oh my goodness, what a read – such a well-drawn historical setting, an intrepid and very sympathetic heroine in Nelly, a whole cast of characters I so enjoyed, and a real gothic chill throughout. And such a gripping story, wonderfully told – I honestly loved every moment.

Nelly had a difficult start in life – with experiences that still haunt her – spending time in an asylum until her caring aunt was able to secure her freedom. She now works on a Bristol newspaper, frustrated that her writing is confined to the women’s page. But an opportunity crosses her path when she’s approached by seamstress Eliza who tells her a horrifying story about the murder of a mother and child, convinced that her aristocratic husband was responsible. Eliza herself ends up dead – found floating in the dock – and that only increases Nelly’s appetite to uncover the truth, however dangerous that might prove to be.

She finds a friend and ally in crime reporter Will – one of the few who takes her ambitions seriously, involving her in another investigation into a missing young woman. And he’s by her side when things become even darker – she’s aware that her movements are being watched, and that she might have some powerful enemies, but she remains undeterred. And not only undeterred – she takes the most immense risks in her pursuit of the full story, endangering both her job and her life, with a range of risky actions that sometimes made me want to look away (but, of course, I didn’t – the narrative was far too gripping!).

I was firmly in Nelly’s corner throughout, with her passion to do the right thing while following her own dream – and the issues of her past, and the way they resonate throughout the story, only made me love her more. She’s very much a woman of her time, fighting against constraints and expectations – and the backdrop of 1800s Bristol, every mirky back street, the shadows hiding who-knows-what, set against the insights into others’ privileged lives, is superbly done. Although things can get a bit disturbing at times – graveyards at night tend to be that way, and perhaps more wisely avoided – the whole story manages to be tremendous fun too, the pace never easing with every new discovery. And I really loved the plotting, the way the different threads of the story were slowly pulled together by its unexpected end – storytelling at its very best.

So, something a little different this time, but still everything I love about the author’s writing. If historical and gothic are something that whet your appetite, with a substantial slice of excitement and danger, this is a book you’re going to love – and its emotional touches are equally perfectly handled. Very much recommended – and most definitely one of my books of the year.

A fabulous mystery story set in victorian Bristol. I love the strong female character of Nelly. She is on the trail of murder and will not let anyone stop her solving the crimes.

The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover. I do love this author. This is the 4th book I've read. It was different but I still enjoyed it. I did like Nelly. I did like how determined she was. I liked the writing style and the story. I did like the setting and the time period. I did actually listen to this book. I finished it in two sittings. I do recommend this book.

In 1864 Bristol, England, Miss Helen “Nelly” Brooks, first female reporter at the Courier, yearns to dig into meaty investigations but is limited to writing domestic pieces for the women’s page. So when she gets a note from a woman claiming knowledge of a “dreadful murder,” Nelly feels she’s struck gold. Seamstress Eliza Morgan, huddled in a green shawl in the saloon bar where they meet, tells a fantastic story that feels like a scam: a prominent man’s wife and newborn have been killed, but she won’t reveal their identity to Nelly, or the woman’s secret diary, without being paid. Eliza also has a healthy appetite for gin and claims to have seen the murdered woman’s ghost. The next day, Eliza’s body is found floating in the harbour: had she fallen in drunk, or was she offed by the man she claims was following her? Now there are three people for whom Nelly feels pressed to seek justice.

Douglas draws on Nellie Bly’s real-life story—Nelly’s American counterpart from a generation later—while creating a kaleidoscopic tour through Victorian fiction tropes. We have séances, body snatching, mistreatment of women by powerful men, Upstairs/Downstairs relationships, and a manor house full of secrets. Many character names (Mr. Snitch, Mrs. Augur) feel rather Dickensian. Unlike Miss Bly, who went undercover in an asylum, our Nelly has survived one, having been incarcerated for a decade by her parents after bearing her lover’s illegitimate daughter. The novel is highly derivative of many sources, but when it homes in on the central mystery, the plot grabs hold, continuing through its surprising resolution. While reckless at times (accompanying your main suspect into his carriage isn’t super smart), Nelly’s determination to regain her child is laudable, and the setting—Bristol rather than the typical London—adds originality.

From the Historical Novels Review, August 2025.

The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas is a sad, haunting and tense story.
The premise of the story is that a female reporter trying to make her mark as the first, is chasing a scandalous rumour that a very important gentleman has murdered his wife. A seamstress, who becomes close friends to wife number two, is beside herself with rage and grief about her friend’s death. This woman meets Nelly, tells her all she knows, and promises to meet up the following morning with evidence to prove what she’s saying is true, leaving behind her emerald shawl gifted to her by her late friend. . Nelly will pay her some money so she can catch the train out that morning. She’s scared for her life . The following morning she’s pulled out of the water, drowned. She’d said too much.
I found the plot, characters and ending really gripping. The atmosphere built up as more bad things happened.
Maybe there could be more stories featuring Nelly? Although she’s in a male dominated world, she’s not treated too unfairly until something goes wrong……. Nelly is a very complex character, and we find out a lot there. All in all, this story is really good!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #LouiseDouglas3.

Set in Victorian Bristol, The Emerald Shawl is a superb novel full of mystery, suspense and investigative charm.

The author has so accurately depicted the world in which women lived in this era. Women didn’t have choices; their paths were directed by men (their fathers and husbands) and by societal expectations.
I was rooting for Nelly throughout the entire book. She is such an endearing character, who has suffered injustices of her own, yet she has a determined spirit, a strong sense of independence and a desire to help others.

The author’s writing is so atmospheric. I was able to feel a vivid sense of time and place in the darkness of Bristol’s docks, the eerie silence of Arnos Vale cemetery, and the old corridors of Mordaunt Hall.

The plot is so cleverly crafted and I was as keen as Nelly to uncover the truth.
The Emerald Shawl is a real page-turner and I loved it!

This is set in Bristol in 1864, around the time the Clifton Suspension
Bridge was opened. Nelly Brooks is a female reporter for a newspaper but is confined to articles connected to women’s interests. She longs to be able to report on more serious stories. However, this is a time when men hold the sway in most things and the female mind is not thought capable of handling certain topics. Nelly is nothing if not determined and when she knows she has a story in the making, nothing will stop her. She does have help from a fellow journalist, Will. Will is such a lovely character and would like to become more to Nelly. Nelly gets herself into a number of dangerous situations and there are some evil people involved. Some people who have power and influence. Nelly also has her own troubled background but I was pleased to see things resolved for Nelly and a future to look forward to. This was an engrossing read, I didn’t want to put this book down. I received a copy from have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a gem of a book, based at a time where woman had very little power, we meet Nelly a female reporter in a male dominated environment where she is expected to to only report happy and light pieces.
Nelly has a tough background but her determination is brilliant, such a great character.
I’m hoping we will see Nelly again it would make a great series, I loved being transported back in time the writing made the surroundings and conditions come alive.
Full of mystery a great read

Thank you for having me on the tour

#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeBookReview

This is a great Victorian era historical mystery. I was riveted from the beginning. A young female reporter wants to deal with content more serious than women’s interest articles. And she gets her opportunity. There are many twists and turns to this suspenseful story as Nelly Brooks investigates several suspected deaths by foul play. She even goes undercover. All is not as it seems. The puzzle pieces slowly fit together and all is revealed. The 1860s city life and the characters are well portrayed by the author. It’s an interesting and intriguing tale.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

The Emerald Shawl is a rich, atmospheric historical mystery with a strong, determined heroine you can’t help but root for. Set in 1864 Bristol, this book follows Nelly Brooks, a young reporter stuck writing a women’s column- until a mysterious woman in a green shawl brings her a story too big to ignore: a supposed childbirth death that may actually be murder. When that same woman is found dead the next day, Nelly refuses to let it go, even if it means putting her own life, and her hopes of reuniting with her estranged daughter, at risk.

What makes this story shine isn’t just the twisty murder plot (though that kept me turning the pages), but Nelly herself. She’s a mix of grit, vulnerability, and relentless drive. Her past, being institutionalized as a teen for getting pregnant, losing her daughter, and being constantly dismissed in a man’s world, adds real emotional weight to the story. Her journey to find the truth and reclaim her own life is as compelling as the mystery she’s trying to solve.

I also loved the setting, Victorian Bristol is beautifully drawn, and it’s refreshing to get a break from the usual London backdrop. There’s a great balance of social commentary, suspense, and character-driven storytelling. While the pacing lagged just slightly in the middle and I wouldn’t have minded a touch more gothic atmosphere, it was still a satisfying, immersive read.

Highly recommend this one if you like historical fiction with smart, resilient female leads, a bit of danger, and a mystery that unfolds at just the right pace. I’d definitely read more Nelly Brooks if this turns into a series, she’s a character with more stories to tell.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.