The Unpicking
Donna Moore
Aug 2026 · The Mabel Adair Mysteries Book 1 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Mhairi Morrison
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9 hr 35 min
Unabridged
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"I had read enough mystery stories to know that girls who went out to meet strangers at night never came to a good end..."
Stirling, 1877. Lillias Gilfillan, a recently orphaned girl of sixteen, falls in love and elopes with a man who sees her as wealthy and naïve: 'a little boat without its oars'. In a sea of rising debt and deception, Lillias must learn quickly, or drown.
Glasgow, 1894. Clementina knows little mercy living in a home for 'wayward girls'. With the 'Jingling Devil' always lurking in the shadows and a child growing inside her, can she outrun him and save her best friend in the process?
Glasgow, 1919. Mabel is one of the first policewomen in Glasgow, on a mission to find a murderer. In doing so, she finds a web of corruption and now the 'Jingling Devil' wants her dead.
The Unpicking spans three generations of 'hysterical women' who take on systemic corruption and injustice, despite all odds.
"Phenomenally good. Donna Moore's third novel is deadly serious. The three characters are strong and brave, for the situations they find themselves in. They use all their energy on trying to make things better; staying alive; but the world isn't cooperating with them. But working together, women can do a lot." - Ann Giles, the Book Witch
"Each lead character, in spite of their courage, strength and determination, has a gentleness at their core that it's impossible not to become fond of." - Nigel Bird, author of the Southsiders series
"An utterly compelling story with three glorious women protagonists you're rooting for as soon as you meet them. I loved it." - Sarah Ward author of The Birthday Girl
Stirling, 1877. Lillias Gilfillan, a recently orphaned girl of sixteen, falls in love and elopes with a man who sees her as wealthy and naïve: 'a little boat without its oars'. In a sea of rising debt and deception, Lillias must learn quickly, or drown.
Glasgow, 1894. Clementina knows little mercy living in a home for 'wayward girls'. With the 'Jingling Devil' always lurking in the shadows and a child growing inside her, can she outrun him and save her best friend in the process?
Glasgow, 1919. Mabel is one of the first policewomen in Glasgow, on a mission to find a murderer. In doing so, she finds a web of corruption and now the 'Jingling Devil' wants her dead.
The Unpicking spans three generations of 'hysterical women' who take on systemic corruption and injustice, despite all odds.
"Phenomenally good. Donna Moore's third novel is deadly serious. The three characters are strong and brave, for the situations they find themselves in. They use all their energy on trying to make things better; staying alive; but the world isn't cooperating with them. But working together, women can do a lot." - Ann Giles, the Book Witch
"Each lead character, in spite of their courage, strength and determination, has a gentleness at their core that it's impossible not to become fond of." - Nigel Bird, author of the Southsiders series
"An utterly compelling story with three glorious women protagonists you're rooting for as soon as you meet them. I loved it." - Sarah Ward author of The Birthday Girl
"I had read enough mystery stories to know that girls who went out to meet strangers at night never came to a good end..."
Stirling, 1877. Lillias Gilfillan, a recently orphaned girl of sixteen, falls in love and elopes with a man who sees her as wealthy and naïve: 'a little boat without its oar...
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About the author
Donna Moore is the author of crime fiction and historical fiction. Her first novel, a Private Eye spoof called Go To Helena Handbasket, won the Lefty Award for most humorous crime fiction novel and her second novel, Old Dogs, was shortlisted for both the Lefty and Last Laugh Awards. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies. In her day job she works as an adult literacy tutor for marginalized and vulnerable women, facilitates creative writing workshops and has a PhD in creative writing around women’s history and gender-based violence.
Donna Moore is the author of crime fiction and historical fiction. Her first novel, a Private Eye spoof called Go To Helena Handbasket, won the Lefty Award for most humorous crime fiction novel and her second novel, Old Dogs, was shortlisted for both the Lefty and Last Laugh Awards. Her short sto...
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