Title: The DresskeeperAuthor: Mary Naylus
Pages: 229
Published: Prosepera Publishing (30 November 2009)
****/*****
Picky Robson's life has gone from bad to worse. Her life is a boy-free zone, she has more pimples than a tiger has stripes and she has to look after her gran, who is suffering from dementia, every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, Picky is accidentally locked in her gran's attic with no means of an a escape. Tempting fate, Picky slips into an old flouncy dress and, to her shock, finds herself back in 17th Century London. But, she's not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her, mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky uncover the murderer and will she make it back alive?
This book managed to pull me into the story from the first few chapters. It was compelling and original whilst also very easy to get into. The synopsis had me guessing and wondering from the very first page and I was extremely intrigued to find out what was going to happen. Some of the characters in this book could have been stronger and it would have been nice to know about their feeling and point of views. I found myself wanting to know more and more about the Earl and some of Picky's school friends but I felt like it whizzed through everybody quite quickly. There is a thin line between a slow-paced novel and one that moves far too quickly and I feel like this book crossed that line due to the fact that I thought everything (settings, feelings, characters) could have been described for longer and in more depth. Saying this, in some parts of the book the author really brought olden day London alive through sights and smells. This is a good book if you want a gripping teenage mystery.
Interview with Mary Naylus:
What made you want to write a historical fiction book?
I suppose I liked the idea of time-travel and not being particularly interested in the future, I decided to go back in time, which is where the history part comes in.
How did you get the idea for The Dresskeeper?
I’d been fascinated by the fact people three hundred years ago were living in the same buildings as some of us are today, but under extremely different domestic and social conditions. So I started with the concept of a house that held secrets, and then expanded from there.
Did you always want to write?
Yes, although my passion and I have had ups and downs like most authors, I finally came to realise that I liked writing for young adults. The voice can be punchy and opinionated and contemporary, but there is a lot of scope to add in little extras like the time-travelling and history. In the past I have tried writing women’s fiction but found I didn’t have the same enthusiasm for it.
Do the ideas from your books come from personal experiances?
Not really. I do incorporate some experiences but in the main I like to research and write about things that are out of my comfort zone. It makes the process all the more interesting.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero or similar. Anywhere with a good coffee machine and a power outlet.
Thank you very much, Mary Naylus!
xx
