The Seamstress of New Orleans

Set against the backdrop of the first all-female Mardi Gras krewe at the turn-of-the-century,the acclaimed authorΓÇÖs mesmerizing historical novel tells of two strangers separated by background but bound by an unexpected secretΓÇöand of the strength and courage women draw from and inspire in each other. ΓÇ£An undercurrent of New OrleansΓÇÖs dark side propels the storyheightening the tension and supplying McPhail with a wealth of evocative details.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇô Publishers Weekly The year 1900 ushers in a new century and the promise of social changeand women rise together toward equality. Yet rules and restrictions remainespecially for women like Alice Butterworthwhose husband has abruptly disappeared. Desperate to make a living for herself and the child she carriesAlice leaves the bitter cold of Chicago far behindoffering sewing lessons at a New Orleans orphanage. Constance Halsteada young widow reeling with shock under the threat of her late husbandΓÇÖs gambling debtshas thrown herself into charitable work. Meeting Alice at the orphanageshe offers lodging in exchange for AliceΓÇÖs help creating a gown for the Leap Year ball of Les Mysterieusesthe first allΓÇæfemale krewe of Mardi Gras. During Leap Yearswomen have the rare opportunity to take control in their interactions with menand upend social convention. Piece by piecethe breathtaking gown takes shapebecoming a symbol of strength for both womenreflecting their progress toward greater independence. But Constance carries a burden that makes it impossible to feel truly free. Her husbandBentonwhose death remains a dangerous mysterywas deep in debt to the Black Handthe vicious gangsters who controled New OrleansΓÇÖ notorious Storyville district. BentonΓÇÖs death has not satisfied them. And as the Mardi Gras festivities reach their fruitiona secret emerges that will cement the bond between Alice and Constance even as it threatens the lives theyΓÇÖre building . . .