The Beggar Maid, set in London in the late 19th century, describes the extreme hardship experienced by Charity Crosse, who is living in a damp cellar room with her alcoholic grandfather. Charity is reduced to begging on the streets and lives on the generosity of passers-by. The first six chapters of the book set the scene and the descriptive element is accurate and enjoyable.

Charity’s grandfather dies and she goes to the local doctor for help. Dr Marchant kindly introduces Charity to a bookseller, Jethro, who takes her in and instils in her a love of books.

Jethro is a hard employer, leaving Charity to sleep under the counter of his shop at night. However, when he dies unexpectedly, Charity inherits his book stock.

Life then takes a turn for the worse when Charity faces eviction, and she flees with the help of her friend, Harry Elliott, to the huge house belonging to his father, Sir Hedley Bligh in Nevill’s Court London.

Charity takes two friends with her, Violet and Dorrie, both of whom are homeless and in need of her support. Life then spirals out of control and they spend their time flitting between Nevill’s Court and Bligh Park, another huge house in the countryside.

The storyline races along and is quite unbelievable in parts.

Like all good heroines, Charity lives to see another day, and the book concludes very favourably for her.

BARBARA DAVIS