Dangerous Women is based on a true historic event, the voyage of Rajah in 1841 from London to Van Diemen’s Land (present day Tasmania). The ship transported nearly 200 women convicted of non-violent crimes for settlement in the new colony. During the voyage, one of the women gets stabbed and now an investigation is underway to find the guilty party. What fascinated me about the book is not so much the mystery aspect of the plot, but the stories of the women. Most of them come from poor families, have endured lots of hardships and loss, and turned to theft or other petty crimes as the last resort in order to survive or feed their children. The book also examines the subservient position women had in society at that time. Largely dependent on men for their livelihoods, many of the women on board of Rajah had suffered abuse and unspeakable treatment from the men in their lives. I thought this was a very powerful novel and highly recommend it. 5 out of 5 stars.
