The Gallows Bird

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Downton Abbey meets The Secret River in this rich, embroiling tale of a woman caught between two worlds, determined to own her freedom, no matter the cost. London 1838: Hannah 'Birdie' Bird is an underlaundry maid, servant in a manor house. Born the illegitimate child of an aristocratic mother, Birdie is caught between worlds, with ideas above her station and a suspicion that the wealthy family she serves is hers. She will risk anything to change her life. A secret synesthete, to Birdie the colours of fabric are imbued with flavour and smell, and she's particularly captivated by the beauty of silk. Falling into love and crime, she commits the largest silk heist of her time. Betrayed and jailed, she finds herself transported to the ends of the earth, the Antipodes. After an arduous journey, Birdie and the women she befriends at sea arrive in Sydney Cove, and are sent to Parramatta's Female Factory, a workhouse prison for unmarried women that hosts the infamous 'mermaid's dance'. Will she finally find her longed for freedom in this far off land

Author Bio

Barbara Sumner is an author and filmmaker. Her back catalogue of achievements includes producing three highly acclaimed feature documentaries, a career in journalism, event production, television, bringing up four daughters and being accepted into a Masters program at the tender age of 60. Barbara lives with her husband Thomas Burstyn in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, with a curmudgeonly ginger cat. She spends her time reading, writing, walking, and corrupting her grandchildren with wild ideas about life, love, and imagination. The Gallows Bird is her debut novel.