When Abby gets a job as a nursemaid in Belle Vue House in charge of young Grace, everything seems as it is going the right way. But rumours of the plague start working their way around London. At first the rumours don't affect her everyday life, but whilst on a trip to the Royal Exchange Abby and Hannah hear that the King has already left for the countryside. This is not good news. Once the King has left it means that the plague is spreading, and spreading fast. Abby can see all the houses with the red crosses and signs saying "Lord have mercy" but she never expected it to happen to her.

When Mrs.Dimmock is on the ferry crossing the River Thames the boatman is struck blind: then he drops down dead! Everyone knows instantly that he has died of the plague. The tragedy is not only for the boatman but for everyone else in Belle Vue House. If Mrs.Dimmock has caught the plague then everyone in the house will be shut in for 40 days. Will they be able to escape the clutches of this evil sickness? Will Abby be able to save Grace?

I think that Ring of Roses was an OK book. It wasn't brilliant but it wasn't the worst that I have read; I found it a little boring. I feel that the book moved along too fast and that there wasn't much description in it. Personally I would have preferred it if the author had given more of a twist to the plot. For example, it would have been more interesting if Abby had run away and then gotten caught, or if she had escaped the plague. It would have shown a bit more of her story afterwards.

If I had to rate Ring of Roses I would give it 5 stars out of 10.

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