Laura Smyth and Ted Kemp take a no-nonsense approach to traditional English folk song, with cues from revival singers such as Frankie Armstrong, Peter Bellamy and the Watersons and placing an emphasis on strong vocals, tight harmonies and unfussy arrangements. With repertoire drawn from and inspired by their homes in the North West and East Anglia, expect to hear a distinctive range of songs sung with passion. lauraandted.co.uk However, I didn’t feel it was much of a mystery as stated on the cover. I'd definitely go with more of a coming-of-age tale, or even a tragedy in some parts! Either way, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. A huge thanks to the publisher, Northodox Press, for sending me a free digital ARC to read and review! Likes & Dislikes: She and her family are mill workers, like almost everyone else in Greenfield and the rest of Saddleworth, and Sophie Parkes gives us an uncompromising picture of the working and domestic lives of the labourers in that period, and of the systematic cultural oppression of women. The apparent saving grace for Millie is that she’s expected to marry the popular Johnny Barkwell, to the envy of most other young women in the area, and indeed she does. But the marriage doesn’t promise to be happy, partly because Johnny is drinking heavily and seems unable to stop, but mostly because he decides that he and Millie are going to emigrate to Canada – and since she’s his wife she has no choice in the matter, reluctant though she is. We’re given a chilling description of travel in steerage on a nineteenth century sailing ship, and then we’re given an even more dispiriting account of the shanty town in Quebec where the couple have to find a home, and work. This friendly, inclusive group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, at The Vale, Mossley's beautiful arts space, 7.30-9.30pm. We welcome all kinds of writers, at all stages of their career. A typical Mossley Writers get-together includes critiquing members’ work, writing together using fun and thought-provoking writing exercises, and – of course – tea and biscuits. There is a small monthly fee to cover the hire of the space at The Vale.

She said: “I’m not so much fascinated by who committed the murder, though the fact that it remains unsolved is certainly intriguing; I am more interested in how a young woman could be thrown into the spotlight and deal with such tragic circumstances in a small, isolated place, as Greenfield and Saddleworth would’ve been at the time. This is very definitely a work of fiction, and I’ve created characters, landmarks and motives to develop what I hope is an enjoyable read driven by realistic characters of their time,” she said. Out Of Human Sight’ by Sophie Parkes is the story of northern mill worker Millie, and her family, as they struggle with tragedy and its aftermath. When Millie walks in on a bloody scene in her grandfather’s pub, her life is changed forever. Voyeurs come from all over to see where the grisly double murder took place, and the notoriety becomes too much for Millie to bear.

She said: “I’m not so much fascinated by who committed the murder – though the fact that it remains unsolved is certainly intriguing – I am more interested in how a young woman could be thrown into the spotlight and deal with such tragic circumstances in a small, isolated place, as Greenfield and Saddleworth would’ve been at the time. small town where she lives. If you live locally and would like more information about joining the group, feel free to get in touch to join the mailing list. I’m not so much fascinated by who committed the murder, though the fact that it remains unsolved is certainly intriguing,” Sophie, 37, said.

The book is not a typical murder mystery as it reveals the murderers about halfway through the story. The police investigation doesn’t play a major role in it either. This novel is focused on Millie, her family, and their struggles. The struggles of working-class people in a capitalist society where human life is cheaper than wool, where women are doomed to live and work their whole life in terrible conditions for a miserable pay just to survive and feed their families. A graduate of the University of Manchester and the Manchester Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Sophie Parkes is currently studying for a PhD in creative writing and folklore at Sheffield Hallam University, for which she won a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship. I bought my copy of this novel at the book launch (and got it signed by the author!) and I found it hard to put down, although – because of the nature of the story – I also found it hard to read in places. The starting point is a (real) unsolved double murder in a remote Saddleworth pub in 1832. The victims were discovered by a young woman who was related to them. Sophie Parkes makes this young woman, Amelia (Millie) Bradbury, the protagonist of her novel. Millie wants to know who the killer was.As soon as they are married, Johnny drops the bombshell of his ‘gift’ to his new wife. They are to emigrate to the Canadas the following week. Millie doesn’t want to leave her family, her work, her friends and the only life she has ever known. But a husband’s decision is final and Millie soon finds herself on board a ship from Liverpool. MURDER MYSTERY: Sophie Parkes has written a book following on from the murders at a Saddleworth pub. Despite the fact that the initial horrific act takes place right at the start of the book, it did take me a few days to get into Out of Human Sight. But once the bombshell of the couple’s move to Canada had hit, I couldn’t stop reading! As she recovers from her horrific discovery, Johnny Barkwell, a man she has known all her life and long admired, asks her to marry him. Millie has no hesitation in saying yes and the wedding takes place just weeks later. Out of Human Sight goes on to explore what happens to the victims’ family, namely granddaughter and niece, Millie, and how she copes with increasing fame.