Gemma is completely blindsided when her husband tells her that their marriage is over. To take her mind off things, she throws herself into her hobby of mudlarking and makes some new and supportive friends along the way.
In the depths of winter, the bright and cheerful cover, along with the hint at an uplifting story, meant that The Mudlarkers' Club by Jane Riley really appealed to me. As I listened along to the excellent narration from Lucy Hilton-Jones, I found pure escapism as I was sucked into the fascinating world of mudlarking and the lives of the people Gemma met.
Being a big fan of thrillers, I was aware of the existence of mudlarkers; most crime readers will have read a book that featured a mudlarker uncovering a body, or a body part, as they scour the banks of the Thames. It was fascinating to see the enjoyable side of this hobby.
Very little time is spent on Gemma's disastrous relationship at the beginning of the story. This means we quickly meet the other members of The Mudlarkers' Club. The author has ensured the club members are from a variety of backgrounds, with a wide spread of ages. Each one of them has a personal issue they are struggling with. This complete spread gives readers/listeners something we can all probably identify with, even if it's just to appreciate how lucky we are. The mix of secretiveness brought on by shame, a reluctance to ask for help, or just sheer pigheadedness really helped me to understand why some people struggle with problems and end up in a downward spiral.
As the club members get to know each other, they are able to open up and share their troubles. There's a complete lack of judgment, and, as you would expect, the adage "A trouble shared is a trouble halved" is used to great effect.
Alongside the interpersonal relationships, we also learn some riveting information about mudlarking. From the thrill of the find, right through to the disappointment of discovering that the "treasure" uncovered is worthless modern junk. I did enjoy the section that poses the question about what future generations will think as they uncover our discarded trash.
This isn't one of those books that grips you from the start and has an earth-shattering conclusion. It slowly draws you into the lives of the group of friends, filling you with hope, in a genuinely heart-warming tale.
The Mudlarkers' Club by Jane Riley will be published on 12th February 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HQ for a review copy.
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