Overview

From the brutal horrors of Jamaican plantations to the teeming streets of 19th century London, through lavish manor houses and across dangerous seas, escaped enslaved siblings survive the American War of Independence and arrive in London to seek their fortune in this page-turning, immersive story of survival, betrayal, secrets, and the quest for true freedom. A 2025 GREAT GROUP READS Selection by the Women’s National Book Association. Jamaica 1768: On a terrifying night, Daniel and his young sister, Pearl, narrowly escape their brutal life of slavery when a sugarcane plantation is torched in a violent uprising. In the ashes, Daniel leaves behind the rest of his family—and one powerful love. More than a decade later in New York City, Daniel anticipates sailing with Pearl, now 15, to a new life promised by Britain’s king to former slaves who fought for the Crown in America’s War of Independence. For saving a Major’s life in battle, Daniel is doubly rewarded with the man’s inheritance, to be claimed on the other side of the ocean. . . . But a king’s promises can be forgotten, and fortunes snatched away by the cruel prejudices of strangers in a new land . . . Hopeless and homeless, Daniel and Pearl are lured into a dank maze of passageways beneath London’s teeming streets, under the famed Covent Garden, and far below the crypts of St. Giles church. A world of unimaginable poverty, where the desperate live as outcasts—the blackbirds of St. Giles. Reigning over the scene is Elias, a violent “boss” who sells protection for a price. To shield Pearl, Daniel must literally fight for their survival, stepping into the ring with a monstrous opponent. Dazzling and poignant, The Blackbirds of St. Giles propels us into an extraordinary, too long overlooked community and period in history.

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9781496755636

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Reviews

Praise for The Blackbirds of St. Giles A 2025 GREAT GROUP READS SELECTION BY THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL BOOK ASSOCIATION ""The sights, sounds and smells of 1780s London burst vividly from the pages of this enthralling adventure set in the rookeries of St Giles, a warren of inhospitable streets where outcasts, outsiders and the destitute find a kind of a home."" —The Daily Mail ""This powerful story is steeped in truth and resonates with humanity. It’s a gritty thriller and a whirlwind adventure, but most of all it’s a tale of love and hope. A beautiful, original and heart-stopping read."" —Janice Hallett “A riveting story of love, betrayal, revenge, and triumph. The well-developed characters are absolutely unforgettable and the plot twists are so intriguing I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. This is one of the few books I plan to read again.” —Mary Monroe, New York Times Bestselling Author “A fiercely riveting adventure through a brutal and forgotten history, The Blackbirds of St. Giles is a reminder of the broken promises on both sides of the American Revolutionary War. This novel is sure to stir your soul. It will infuriate you, then break your heart, and ultimately renew your faith in the resiliency of the human spirit. An absolute triumph.” —Markus Redmond, Screenwriter, Actor, and Author of Blood Slaves

Praise for The Blackbirds of St. Giles “A riveting story of love, betrayal, revenge, and triumph. The well-developed characters are absolutely unforgettable and the plot twists are so intriguing I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. This is one of the few books I plan to read again.” —Mary Monroe, New York Times Bestselling Author “A fiercely riveting adventure through a brutal and forgotten history, The Blackbirds of St. Giles is a reminder of the broken promises on both sides of the American Revolutionary War. This novel is sure to stir your soul. It will infuriate you, then break your heart, and ultimately renew your faith in the resiliency of the human spirit. An absolute triumph.” —Markus Redmond, Screenwriter, Actor, and Author of Blood Slaves

Author Information

Lila Cain is a pseudonym for the writing duo of Kate Griffin and Marcia Hutchinson. Kate Griffin won the Faber/Stylist Magazine competition with Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders and went on to write 3 more books in the series. Her first stand-alone novel, Fyneshade, is now available. Born to Windrush-era Jamaican parents in Bradford, Marcia Hutchinson worked as a lawyer before founding and running the educational publishing company Primary Colours. She was awarded an MBE for services to Cultural Diversity in 2010.

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