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The Girls with No Names

Written by: Serena Burdick
Narrated by: Emily Lawrence,Nancy Peterson,Amy McFadden
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Publisher's Summary

Instant International Best Seller

A beautiful tale of hope, courage, and sisterhood - inspired by the real House of Mercy and the girls confined there for daring to break the rules.

Growing up in New York City in the 1910s, Luella and Effie Tildon realize that even as wealthy young women, their freedoms come with limits. But when the sisters discover a shocking secret about their father, Luella, the brazen elder sister, becomes emboldened to do as she pleases. Her rebellion comes with consequences, and one morning Luella is mysteriously gone.

Effie suspects her father has sent Luella to the House of Mercy and hatches a plan to get herself committed to save her sister. But she made a miscalculation, and with no one to believe her story, Effie’s own escape seems impossible - unless she can trust an enigmatic girl named Mable. As their fates entwine, Mable and Effie must rely on their tenuous friendship to survive.

Home for Unwanted Girls meets The Dollhouse in this atmospheric, heartwarming story that explores not only the historical House of Mercy, but the lives - and secrets - of the girls who stayed there.

“Burdick has spun a cautionary tale of struggle and survival, love and family - and above all, the strength of the heart, no matter how broken.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Burdick reveals the perils of being a woman in 1913 and exposes the truths of their varying social circles.” (Chicago Tribune)

©2020 Serena Burdick (P)2020 Harlequin Audio

What listeners say about The Girls with No Names

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Couldn’t finish it

The narration was so horrible I couldn’t finish the book. I think the narrator was trying to convey emotion but her voice was very off putting.

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8 people found this helpful

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Enjoyed from start to finish

The story was compelling from start to finish.I could hardly put it down. I felt like I was right there with the girls following them through there lives.

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2 people found this helpful

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Beautiful Story

I loved this book from start to finish. All of the characters are beautifully captured, and I cared about each of their stories equally. The ending was perfect, and I will definitely read more of Serena Burdicks books.

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2 people found this helpful

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good

interesting as it was based on true events,found it a bit slow initially but got better towards the end. narrator was very good although I speeded up the voice. all and all worth the listen.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great story

Loved the story and learning about these laundries. I had no idea.
The accents and voice of Effie was sometimes very hard to endure. Lol

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Turns out to be an ok story

Slow start. If I had not used a paid credit I don’t think I would have listened to the full thing. Turns out to be an ok story but the first half was difficult to get through.

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Brilliant!

A fantastic book! Great story with so much detail and intrigue, in astounding historical fashion, it kept me glued throughout. Also brilliant narration. Thoroughly recommend!

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Not What I Expected!

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story…
Very well written and narrated.
Highly recommending this book!
I am humbled and reminded of the way the world once was and how much is still left to do.

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  • Overall
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Excellent

If you’re looking for an excellent historical novel, you’ve found it. The characters come to life and are able to envisage what they went through.

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Captivating

This was an eye opening, heart wrenching enjoyable read! I thought the author did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life. This part of history I don’t believe many people are aware of and it was presented in a way that was enlightening as well as historically accurate.
Overall I highly recommend this book to anyone interested learning about this part of history!

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  • Sarah
  • 2020-04-20

Consumed this in a few days.....

From the characters, to the narration, this book is a must read.... Be prepared to do nothing else, but listen..... The thorough research paints a beautifully haunting picture of the gilded age. Told from the poorest and richest, in terms of money, it proves that money is just that. Happiness doesn’t come from wealth.

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113 people found this helpful

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  • Karl H.
  • 2020-06-17

Excellent

I enjoyed there being different narrators for each woman. Made it easily understood who's perspective you were hearing as the chapters switched between characters.

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92 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-06-09

Captivating read!

I so enjoy books that teach you about history through fictional characters, bringing the story to life. Excellent characters that complimented each other telling the true struggles of the times and relationships. The performances were beautiful voices that captivated your attention. Now I must read about the story of the House of Mercy and its horrors. The Catholic church involved in scandal in the 1800-1900s is so very sad and disappointing. Don't pass up reading this great story!

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82 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-02-08

drew me in

This story was hard to put down. the narrators took me with them to the early 1900s with lots of excitement, heartbreak, joy, fear and many surprises at every turn.

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44 people found this helpful

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  • Kristi McHugh
  • 2020-04-25

Wonderful!

The Girls With No Names was fascinating read. Well written and told a story of young women with challenges were treated in our history.

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43 people found this helpful

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  • Judith B. McElwaine
  • 2020-01-24

Loved it

Great story, loved it. sad ending. I shed some tears. Would be a great movie

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35 people found this helpful

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  • A concerned consumer
  • 2020-04-18

excellent book

loved this book so much, such a rich and honest view of the lives of women

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28 people found this helpful

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  • Tmwilkinz
  • 2020-06-28

Worth a credit

Really kept me interested. Get this one! Great story. Finished very fast—couldn’t put it down!

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22 people found this helpful

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  • Tammy
  • 2020-06-22

amazing read.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was an exciting and eye opening experience. Highly recommended.

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18 people found this helpful

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  • Lisa W Smith
  • 2020-04-04

So well done!!!!!

I loved this book so much! It was so well written! Just fantastic! Where is the next one? What a talented writer!

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18 people found this helpful