The Black Thread
A new novel by Margaret Muir, featuring Saltaire

The Black Thread is Margaret Muir’s third novel and is published by Robert Hale Limited on 31 August 2007. Margaret grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire and now lives in Tasmania. She visited Saltaire and the Leeds and Liverpool canal last year as part of her research for this novel. Set in the 1890s the story tells of Amy Dodd’s desperate journey along the Leeds and Liverpool canal in a bid to escape from her father. But freedom, once gained, is short-lived. Confronted with a shocking revelation, Amy has no choice but to return to Leeds to unravel a twenty year old mystery.

This novel will be of particular interest to lovers of canal boats and the British Waterways. The historical details of Saltaire, Salt’s Mill and the Shipley Glen Tramway at the end of the nineteenth century, should appeal to lovers of history. By the end of the nineteenth century, the era of canals and horse-drawn barges was already waning. In her novel, Muir recreates a picture of life on the canals at that time. Though the story is set mainly on a canal short-boat, the Yorkshire mill town of Saltaire, with its Florentine-style architecture, also provides a striking backdrop. The unique funicular tramway at Shipley Glen, which attracted thousands of visitors to the town over 100 years ago (and still operates today), also features significantly in the story.

The Black Thread
By Margaret Muir
Published by Robert Hale Limited
ISBN: 978-0-7090-8343-6

Can be ordered from www.halebooks.com, www.Amazon.co.uk or any good bookshop. Or place an order for a copy at your local library.

Author's website: www.margaretmuirauthor.com
More about the book: http://www.squidoo.com/theblackthread