The Seamstress of New Orleans

By: Diane C. McPhail

Narrated by: Jessica Marchbank

The year 1900 ushers in a new century and the promise of social change, and women rise together toward equality. Yet rules and restrictions remain, especially for women like Alice Butterworth, whose husband has abruptly disappeared. Desperate to make a living for herself and the child she carries, Alice leaves Chicago far behind, offering sewing lessons at a New Orleans orphanage.

Constance Halstead, a young widow, has thrown herself into charitable work. Meeting Alice at the orphanage, she offers lodging in exchange for Alice's help creating a gown for the Leap Year ball of Les Mystérieuses, the first all-female krewe of Mardi Gras. During Leap Years, women have the rare opportunity to take control in their interactions with men, and upend social convention. Piece by piece, the breathtaking gown takes shape, becoming a symbol of strength for both women.

But Constance carries a burden that makes it impossible to feel truly free. Her husband, Benton, whose death remains a dangerous mystery, was deep in debt to the Black Hand, the vicious gangsters who controlled New Orleans's notorious Storyville district. Benton's death has not satisfied them. And as the Mardi Gras festivities reach their fruition, a secret emerges that will cement the bond between Alice and Constance even as it threatens the lives they're building . . .

©2022 Diane C. McPhail (P)2022 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A southern Classic and a fun read as a local New Orleanian.

The story was well thought out but repeated some aspects over and over. I knew exactly how it was going to end when I was half way through and that’s when it started to repeat. I was hoping I was wrong and the hook would have shockingly changed the ending, however, it ends exactly as you think it will.
The southern charm is elegantly portrayed, but it could have been shorter or had more substance. Knowing the New Orleans history, some events did not match chronologically, but that’s part of fiction.

Predictable

****SPOILERS*****
I had the plot figured out imediately. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if not for the narrator. Her style of reading is a little irritating to me. The children's voices were painful to listen to and her version of Constance's characters voice made the character sound dumb and timid. The language of times did not fit her renditions. Constance was bold enough to master a disguise, fool police and keep her off their radar. The read is much better than the listen. I ran to B&N to pick up a physical copy just to have a quick read over and it reads just fine. I m not at all happy with the Authors decision to keep Alice silent. This is a Lifetime Movie, not a major motion picture.

Interesting

Carries you along. Some is obvious and other parts were different than what I expected.

Predictable story line

The most interesting parts of this book to me were the references to New Orleans of the period .. and there wasn’t THAT much, but enough to keep me listening and hearing the sewing threads. I wish the idea of providing career success at an orphanage was/is something done practically!
All that said, I was not a fan of the narrator- to me she didn’t capture the boldness of the women we were hearing about and frankly, the nasally voice was distracting.

If you like historical, women centered stories, this is for you.

It wasn’t a predictable story, per se, but I guessed the wrinkle early on. The suspense is good. I didn’t care for the narrator’s voice. I like the women’s empowerment aspect a lot.

Father’s desire to have hertrotypical child leads to awful results.

Alice, Constance, and Analee created a genuine functional and loving family out of broken endings.

Great story

I knew it! The whole time! Wish she would have told though! Such a good story!!

fascinating sweeping tale, nice voice

I wasn't sure what to expect from this title after reading the one other review. I was pleasantly surprised -- the narrator's voice is smooth and enjoyable to listen to, and wihle not everyone might agree with how each character 'should' sound, the story flowed well. There were some unexpected twists, but really the most major plot twist or reveal felt like it was obvious, and a long time coming. I am glad I stuck with it because there was some nice stuff toward the end that I particuarly enjoyed. (I don't want to do any spoilers.) I give this a 4 overall, a 3 for some of the predictable plot devices, but this narrator is easy to listen to and I look forward to hearing more from her.

INTERESTING WEAVE OF TALES-enjoyable

Life weaves its way around our own lives in amazing and unpredictable ways. This story does the same. I appreciated a different New Orleans area rather than always the Quarter or St.Charles. The woman’s MardiGras ball was an additional treat. The characters were in line with that day in time and what was expected. These women trying to make a difference was commendable and brave. May not be a “deep” read, but very enjoyable. Great to listen to laying in the sun!

Terrible audio

Could not distinguish between characters- very difficult to understand the narrator- she should not be narrating more than one character. Otherwise good plot.