Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: The Devil's Draper by Donna Moore

Societal strictures for women in 1920s Glasgow and how some managed to work around them are examined from all angles in this historical mystery by Donna Moore, scheduled for release on 1 May 2025 by Fly on the Wall Press. The three main characters are strong women who refuse to accept traditional roles: Beatrice, a middle-aged war widow who declined to take the menial jobs offered to her and instead established a successful employment agency for women; Johnnie, a member of a well-organized and capably run gang of women thieves; and Mabel, one of two female police constables who was not allowed to do any real investigative work but still managed to be on the spot when crimes were committed, much to her supervisor’s wrath.

Beatrice realizes that Arrol’s Department Store has asked her for a drapery department clerk every month for at least six months and she wants to know why. The young girls she places there stay less than a week and many refuse to talk to her about their experience. Those that do tell a disturbing story about the predatory Mr. Arrol. The law at the time stated that no assault case could be brought unless a third party witnessed the crime, despite the number of girls affected, which stops them from filing charges, but Beatrice is determined to put an end to the problem.

Arrol’s is on the regular rotation of the shoplifting ring. The woman who runs the group made sure no one girl was seen in any one place often and no one store was robbed frequently enough to establish a pattern. She would have been a fine CEO. Johnnie is worried because two of the younger members of the gang were found dead in the river soon after a trip to Arrol’s.

Mabel meets Johnnie when Johnnie comes to the police station to identify one of the victims. Beatrice has already consulted Mabel to report the attacks on her employees. They join forces to stop the rapacious Arrols men and make life a little easier for their employees.

The supporting cast is just as good. Mabel’s adoptive mother does as she pleases because she is wealthy and unmarried. Mabel’s biological grandmother was institutionalized by her husband so that he could steal her money. Winnie, the public restroom attendant, may be my favorite. She’s being pressured to retire but she steadfastly refuses. In addition to her usual duties, she cooks all day for the visiting regulars and provides advice and counsel to anyone who seems to need it.

While the lawbreaker seems apparent early, a well-constructed plot twist or two add unexpected layers to the story. Recommended, especially for historical mystery readers and for those interested in gender studies.

 

·         Publisher: ‎Fly on the Wall Press (May 1, 2025)

·         Language: ‎English

·         Paperback: ‎278 pages

·         ISBN-10: ‎1915789400

·         ISBN-13: ‎978-1915789402

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/42xtLPq

 

Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2025

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.