Secrets of the Railway Girls

Secrets of the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas is the 2nd tale in The Railway Girls series. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the books in order. I enjoyed reading this gently paced historical novel. I thought Secrets of the Railway Girls was well-written with friendly, relatable characters. Dot, Joan, and Mabel are the focus of this installment. Dot Green is the mother figure of the group. She is such a hardworking, caring woman. Dot has a big heart. Joan was raised by her strict Gran who favors Joan’s sister over her. Mabel Bradshaw was devastated when her best friend died in a motor accident with her at the wheel. She left her home and came to volunteer for the war effort. Dot, Joan, Mabel, Cordelia, Alison, and Persephone all work for the railroad in various positions. They have stuck together and are there for each other. I like how they help each other through the difficult times and how close they have become. The war is escalating with new rules enacted each day. Rationing has begun which causes ques at the shops. Getting needed supplies is a challenge and cooks need to be creative. I thought the author captured time and place beautifully. The ladies face a variety of problems such as grief, heartache, and attitudes from men at work. The bombings are escalating. Lives and homes are lost. The ladies are all trained in first aid and are out during the bombings helping the injured. There is more drama in Secrets of the Railway Girls. The author really brought her characters to life. I felt I was experiencing the bombings and other events with them. I enjoyed the mystery of who is stealing from the food bank. I like how they worked to catch the culprit. Secrets of the Railway Girls is charming historical novel that left me eager for the next installment.