The only beautiful thing in Ivy's drab life is her glorious red hair. At a young age, her locks made her the target of Carroty Kate, a 'skinner'. She recruited Ivy to help her coax wealthy children away from their nannies so that she could strip them of their clothes - clothes worth a fortune in the markets of Petticoat Lane. It is years before Ivy escapes and finds her way back to her in-laws. Once there, she finds respite in laudanum. But before she can settle
into a stupor and forget the terrible things she has done, Ivy is spotted by a wealthy pre-Raphaelite painter. Oscar Fosdick needs a muse (until now he has had to use his domineering mother as a model, something not conducive to producing his best work, he finds). To him, Ivy is perfect, a stunner.
Realising quickly that this painter has more money than sense, Ivy's in-laws order her to sit for him, and to do anything else he demands. But not everyone is happy. Oscar's mother is determined to get rid of Ivy. Oscar's famous neighbour is determined to paint her. Carroty Kate is determined to find her, and Ivy herself is determined to escape . . .
I really enjoyed this one! It's very "Charles Dickenish" and set in one of my favorite periods (Victorian England.) The story begins with Ivy as a young girl and we follow her into adulthood as she gets into and out of trouble, meeting a cast of fun and quirky characters along the way. The only criticism I have about the book was it's ending. It seemed very abrupt and had me scratching my head over the inclusion of a couple characters whose presence didn't really add anything to the story.Overall though a very good read and I look forward to reading more from this author!
