Cat and Mouse is the gripping story of two sisters fighting for women’s rights in the turbulent months before the outbreak of war in 1914.When Sarah Becket, a militant suffragette, discovers that her own husband, a respected Liberal MP, is involved in a scandalous prostitution racket, she takes a knife from her kitchen and goes out into London’s West End, determined to protest for women’s rights … for women’s rights in the most dramatic way she can.
Across the Irish Sea, her sister Deborah is lonely and unloved. When her soldier husband returns from abroad to join the Ulster Volunteers, she faces an agonizing choice – to end her passionate affair with James Rankin, a charismatic trade union leader, or face the loss of her beloved son. When she reads about her sister’s act of defiance, she resolves to go to her aid.
United by their cause, the two sisters combine to fight for women’s rights against both male corruption and a sinister German plot to foment civil war in Ireland.
‘A gripping novel … which blends authentic history with sexy fiction.’ Daily Express.
‘Cat & Mouse is a well written and researched epic drama with great historical merit wrapped around a fascinating web of characters and interwoven diverse plot lines … which provides something for everyone: riots, romance, mystery, intrigue and crime all the while depicting lies, deception, betrayal and political struggles complete with a climatic ending – what more could you want from a novel?’ Andrea Saxelby for The Kindle Book Review.
‘A believable, gripping read, weaving the various threads of the plot together very neatly and cleverly.’ Liz Ryan, Historical Novel Society.
‘First and foremost Cat & Mouse is a novel and about people, a mixture of romance and thriller. First it engagingly explores its characters’ very different worlds. Then it carefully brings them together for a shattering conclusion. You won’t forget this book!’ Moorsman
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It took awhile and it was a bit longer than it probably needed to be — but in the end it was a good read@!
This is a new author for me and I was intrigued when I read the teaser to be honest. Two sisters, each thinking the grass is greener on the other side until they begin looking closer at the details. An deep and intense story that speaks to varying levels of love; love between sisters, between husband and wife, illicit lovers, homosexual lovers, love of a parent to a child and vice versa, and love of country and mankind in general. Truly an story with characters that will suck you into the story and keep you intrigued throughout.
A great plot, lots of turns, and plenty of unexpected twists. You will enjoy this book that, while supporting the suffrage theme, is much more than that.
I was disappointed that the book focused more on the disappointed sex lives of the sisters than their efforts to obtain the right to vote.
Enjoyed this book and the history of women’s suffrage. Many don’t understand the terror and suffering of those who fought for women’s rights.
While the characters are fictional, the author drew upon the real life stories of suffragettes in England in the early 20th century, and wove that in with a story of the Ulster refusal to accept Irish Home Rule in neighboring Ireland. What the suffragettes had to suffer is horrifying, of course, but the most exciting part of the novel is at the end when the young son of an Ulsterman is kidnapped and the efforts his mother and aunt made to rescue him. I flew through that part!
I don’t recommend this book. Seemed to use the history as an excuse to describe multiple sexual expressions . It was unacceptable to me.
A historical combination of two tales of sisters. One a suffragette and one the unloved wife of an Irish officer fighting to remain a British subject. Thoroughly researched and informative on subjects often overlooked in literature. Set in the early 20th century, it tackles the unlikely themes of homosexuality, sex trafficking, adultery, revenge crime and civil disobedience.
One of the best books I have read this year.
I loved this book. I couldn’t read it fast enough at times. I could not put it down. Historical and exciting.
I did not know that the suffragettes had gone through quite so much to earn women the right to vote. We should appreciate our right to vote enough to always go to the polls and make an intelligent choice for each office. The plot was fascinating and the lives of the two sisters were beautifully interwoven.
A great story, told well of women suffragettes who gave up so much for us to have the vote. However too much time spent on the war and all the military stuff.
Somewhat verbose in places but that’s just me – I skip over those lengthy descriptive sections – excellent story.
I love time books. This was a very good book to read and I love the characters. I highly recommend it.
It was certainly interesting.
Gives a great perspective of what life was like in the early 1900 British empire
Historically interesting, could not put it down. Highly recommended.
Set in Ireland in the early 1900s, one family consists of Charles, Deborah, and their son Tom. Charles, a colonel in the Ulster Volunteer Force is concerned only with arming and training his soldiers but finds time for an illicit affair. Across in England, Deborah’s sister, Sarah, is actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement. She is starving herself in prison to aid her cause. Sarah also an unfaithful husband. This novel moves between the social ills of prostitution in England and disenfranchisement in Ireland. Ultimately the two sisters reconnect and work for a common cause. The book has great tension and agonizing thrills.
Interesting characters with some good twists
I had no idea what the woman’s suffrage was like in England. It was a great book.