Sandra Fletcher Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Sandra Fletcher is an English author of historical fiction books set during the Victorian era when life was tough for women, children, and the average man. Her love for Victorian-era literature was sparked by her father, who was a history teacher. She learned so much about Victorian London from him, which significantly influenced her to become one of the famous authors of books set during this time.

As a widow with grown children, Sandra lives alone with her two pet dogs on the outskirts of London. Writing keeps her busy and fulfilled, and through her books, she can share with her readers the ups and downs of the life of an ordinary person in the Victorian period. If you enjoy reading books set in Victorian times, consider devouring Sandra Fletcher’s novels.

Most of Sandra Fletcher’s books focus on the life of children in Victorian London. As you might have guessed, Victorian children all lived a distinct life from those in the 21st century. Children from the average family were often subjected to work to earn money for their family, and as a result, many never attended school. Sandra’s books explore how life was for such kids who often had to survive in the streets.

Little Boy Lost explores the story of George, who finds himself in the streets of London after his grandfather becomes furious and tells him to leave. Little George takes it to heart, packs his bag, and determined not to upset his grandfather anymore; he ventures into the streets of London. But soon, the feelings of hunger, cold, and fear overwhelm him, and before the night is over, little George is lost and has no idea of how to get back home. Will he ever find a way home, or will he become what his grandfather worked so hard to escape from?

In A Lone Orphan’s Courage, a terrible disease ravages the streets of London as a little girl is left to take care of herself as a mother desperately searches for help. Hours turn into days, and the hunger pangs and longing heart forces the little girl out in the streets of London to fend for herself. When a mysterious man discovers her, he makes a decision that sticks with him for the rest of his life, building trust on rocky foundations of lies and deceit. Will the little girl ever find out the truth? If she discovers the truth, what will become of the man who was once a stranger to her but is now part of her world? A Lone Orphan’s Courage is an enthralling story from rags to riches. It features great characters and shows the readers how a child can thrive and flourish in the world when loved. It doesn’t matter whether the love comes from their biological parents or strangers.

First published in 2021, The Beggar’s Secrets is the story of Jack and Ivy. When Jack, the street urchin, steals the bread from Ivy’s dad’s bakery, Ivy never imagined that would change their lives forever. Sooner than she knows, the little street boy becomes her new brother and part of her family as her father marries Jack’s mother. But as happiness fills Ivy’s world, it doesn’t last long as her father becomes seriously ill. Ada is a beggar, but she is nothing like those around her. She is intensely private and proud and somehow has become a friend of Ivy’s family. When Ivy’s father falls seriously ill, she does whatever it takes to try and save him. But more secrets are hidden in the closet, and life is never as simple as it seems. When the secrets are finally revealed, fate takes the lead. A young girl’s hard work and willingness make a wonderful story for a family to work together and find happiness.

Alone in the World is the story of Clara, a little girl who grows up in a home where everyone is trying to survive, and it’s no surprise when she makes a few wrong turns. Minor wrongdoing often culminates in more significant problems, and that’s what precisely happens to Clara as well. Her friends, Adam and Frank, are always by her side, protecting her. But when Frank gets caught up in something he shouldn’t have in the first place, he has no choice but to leave her behind, hoping that she will make better decisions for her future. Will Clara take this opportunity to start afresh, and will she ever see Frank again?

Sandra Fletcher does a fantastic job of showcasing how tough life was for kids, women, and the orphaned in Victorian England. As earlier said, Victorian children were mainly subjected to work rather than going to school. Many of them worked with their parent in workshops and bakeries, like in the story of Ivy and her dad, or at home sewing or making matchboxes. Sometimes, the kids also earned a living by working as messengers, chimney sweeps, or crossing sweepers. The streets were dirty in the 19th century as horses were used as the primary method of transportation. The sweepers would clear the way for the rich people to walk across the streets. Back then, those living in the streets were often subject to filthy living compared to those living in the modern world.

As Sandra Fletcher’s book In A Lone Orphan’s Courage shows, many Londoners perished from diseases and illnesses such as measles, cholera, and scarlet fever. Babies in damp housing and overcrowded places were at a higher risk of diseases such as tuberculosis and diarrhea, and even those from wealthy families were never spared because of a lack of proper medical knowledge. By the time a child was six years, they were considered old enough to scavenge, work or steal. If the kids came from intact families, they often worked as a team in the mining, agriculture, or quarrying sectors.

Overall, the Victorian era was very long and can be termed a revolutionary one. Poverty never magically vanished, but expectations rose, universal elementary education, many charities, and free clinics were established.