The Defiant Seamstress
A gritty, heartbreaking family saga from Sunday Times bestselling author Evelyn Hood for fans of Dilly Court
Published on 31. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-1-80600-226-9 (ISBN)
Description
THE QUEEN OF SCOTTISH SAGAS ?????????????? A heartbreaking, emotional saga for fans of Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson! Richly woven Scottish storytelling at its best She wanted freedom. She found forbidden love. Christian Knox's courage and ambition set her apart but her heart may be her undoing ??Paisley, Scotland 1784
Christian Knox dreams of a life beyond that of a Paisley housewife and at thirteen is determined to further her education. When her disobedience causes her father to withdraw his financial support, she resolves to pay for her education herself by working at her uncle's weaving business.
Headstrong and enterprising Christian soon becomes the manager, representing the local weaver women. But as problems begin to mount at home and at work, has she taken on too much?
When her hard work and savvy business acumen are recognised, Christian is further promoted but is pursued by her cousin Rab with an unwanted proposal of marriage.
Years later, she succumbs to a cossetted marriage to an older husband and is forced to give up work and is torn over her attraction to younger, Benjamin Selbie.
Meanwhile, spurned Rab is not prepared to let sleeping dogs lie as he causes further heartache and turmoil for Christian.
When Christian finally gets a second shot at success and will her relentless drive to succeed stop her from finding love?
Book three in The Paisley Women saga series from Sunday Times bestseller Evelyn Hood, the original Scottish saga writer. Storytelling at its best ?Previously published as The Damask Days
PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD
'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke
'An engrossing read, I loved it and am sure you will too' - Fenella J. Miller
'If you like Catherine Cookson, you'll love Evelyn Hood's books.' - Lizzie Lane
'Evelyn Hood's characters step off the page and into your heart.' - Sheila Riley
'This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.' - Jane Lark
'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
'Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood' - Renita D'Silva 'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine
'Hood is immaculate in her historical detail' - Scottish Herald
'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair
'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine
'Touching, romantic and unforgettable' - Reader Review
'Love all her books' - Reader Review
'Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories' - Reader Review
'I cannot put her books down' - Reader Review
'Love everything Evelyn Hood writes' - Reader Review
Christian Knox dreams of a life beyond that of a Paisley housewife and at thirteen is determined to further her education. When her disobedience causes her father to withdraw his financial support, she resolves to pay for her education herself by working at her uncle's weaving business.
Headstrong and enterprising Christian soon becomes the manager, representing the local weaver women. But as problems begin to mount at home and at work, has she taken on too much?
When her hard work and savvy business acumen are recognised, Christian is further promoted but is pursued by her cousin Rab with an unwanted proposal of marriage.
Years later, she succumbs to a cossetted marriage to an older husband and is forced to give up work and is torn over her attraction to younger, Benjamin Selbie.
Meanwhile, spurned Rab is not prepared to let sleeping dogs lie as he causes further heartache and turmoil for Christian.
When Christian finally gets a second shot at success and will her relentless drive to succeed stop her from finding love?
Book three in The Paisley Women saga series from Sunday Times bestseller Evelyn Hood, the original Scottish saga writer. Storytelling at its best ?Previously published as The Damask Days
PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD
'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke
'An engrossing read, I loved it and am sure you will too' - Fenella J. Miller
'If you like Catherine Cookson, you'll love Evelyn Hood's books.' - Lizzie Lane
'Evelyn Hood's characters step off the page and into your heart.' - Sheila Riley
'This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.' - Jane Lark
'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
'Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood' - Renita D'Silva 'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine
'Hood is immaculate in her historical detail' - Scottish Herald
'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair
'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine
'Touching, romantic and unforgettable' - Reader Review
'Love all her books' - Reader Review
'Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories' - Reader Review
'I cannot put her books down' - Reader Review
'Love everything Evelyn Hood writes' - Reader Review
More details
Series
Edition
Large type / large print edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Edition type
Large type / large print edition
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
664 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80600-226-9 (9781806002269)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sunday Times bestselling author, Evelyn Hood is best known for her Scottish family sagas set in her hometown of Paisley, and the 'Prior's Ford' series set in the modern-day Scottish borders.
Throughout her distinguished career, she published more than 40 novels, numerous short stories, plays, pantomimes, and musicals.
Evelyn Hood passed away in Ayrshire in 2023, but the legacy of her writing continues, inspiring a generation of saga writers and touching reader's hearts worldwide.
Throughout her distinguished career, she published more than 40 novels, numerous short stories, plays, pantomimes, and musicals.
Evelyn Hood passed away in Ayrshire in 2023, but the legacy of her writing continues, inspiring a generation of saga writers and touching reader's hearts worldwide.