These books are set in Southwark at the turn of the century, when the river was the heart of London, and tells the story of the Clarke family. Sam Clarke is a docker, whose wry sense of humour is the only thing which protects him from his wife's obsession with 'respectability'. His younger daughter, Peggy, is determined to own a goat, even if it means breaking the law in order to get the money to buy it. His elder daughter, Annie, must choose between the two men in her life, Harry, a dedicated policeman, and Tom, a boatman with a shady past, but before she has made that choice, a body is found floating in the river, and Tom is arrested.

As with the Marston books, I have done extensive research into the background, and hope that I have successfully re-created the atmosphere of a time so very different to our own.

Order Old Father Thames (hardback) from Amazon.co.uk
Order Old Father Thames (paperback) from Amazon.co.uk
Order South of the River (hardback) from Amazon.co.uk
Order South of the River (paperback) from Amazon.co.uk

We would both welcome any comments, suggestions or criticisms on anything you have read of ours, or on our web site. We can be contacted at: sally@sallyspencer.com