The Abandoned

The story of one woman's fight for survival and her journey into the underbelly of a dangerous criminal world in 1950s Ireland.

Peggy Bowden has not had an easy life. As a teenager, her mother was committed to an asylum and then a local priest forced her into an abusive marriage. But when her husband dies in an accident Peggy sees an opportunity to start again and trains as a midwife.


In 1950s Dublin it is not easy for a woman to make a living and Peggy sees a chance to start a business and soon a lucrative maternity home is up and running.


But when Peggy realizes that the lack of birth control is an issue for women, she uses their plight as a way to make more money. Very soon Peggy is on the wrong side of the law.


What makes a woman decide to walk down a dark path? Can Peggy ever get back on the straight and narrow? Or will she have to pay for her crimes?

"An engrossing story which is so hard to look back at and think that things like this really happened not that long ago. A superb debut." —Books from Dusk till Dawn
"I loved how fast-paced and chilling every part of this novel was, as it certainly kept me on my toes from start to finish, keeping my level of intrigue peaked until the very last second." —The Writing Garnet
"Brilliant. High expectations are set for future books by Sharon Thompson an author to keep your eye on. A story you won't forget quickly." —Between the Pages Book Club