Home accessories: The Novel Bakers Present "The Forgotten Seamstress"

I'm joining The Novel Bakers today for an edible review of a remarkable new novel,

The Forgotten Seamstress

Liz Trenow.

Two memorable eras . . .

Two extraordinary women . . .

Two unraveled lives bound by a beautiful and mysterious quilt

with secrets stitched into every seam.

When I described this book to my 86-year old mother, she said, "I've got to read it!"

Like me, Nanny loves a good love-gone-wrong story, especially if it has a mystery at its core.

Here's a description from the publisher:

"A gripping tale spanning three generations, The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow unravels the intertwined stories of Caroline, a young, modern-day London designer who is struggling to make ends meet, and 74-year old Maria, a remarkable seamstress who had once been employed by the royal household in the early 1900s but ended up in an asylum.

"While Caroline pokes through her grandmother's attic, she finds a quilt that has a mysterious verse stitched into the lining. As she traces its history, she discovers a story of forbidden love, a royal scandal, and long-held secrets."

I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book this much.

In fact, it's one of the best novels I've read this year.

If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, you'll fall under the spell of this book, too. It has a twisty romance, an intriguing puzzle, and memorable characters.

The Forgotten Seamstress weaves truth with fiction: several characters were real-life royals (Edward VIII is a prominent figure--you may recall that he abdicated the throne for thrice-divorced Wallis Simpson).

The novel is meticulously researched (Trenow's family were silk weavers for 300 years), and the details are spot on: the author collaborated with Lynne Edwards, an internationally acclaimed quilter. As a gift to readers, Ms. Edwards created guidelines for anyone who wishes to make "Maria's quilt." The instructions are available for free download (see below for the link).

Tangled threads-- and the "ties that bind"-- are metaphors that wind through the narrative.

Tidbits about quilting and textiles are sprinkled through the pages.

If you'd like to peek at the book, four chapters are available (free) on Kindle and Nook Book

(see below).

Find a comfortable chair and surround yourself with refreshments, because once you start reading, you won't want to leave the story.

The book pairs beautifully with hot tea and lemon-pansy cake.