Between Two Thorns

Between Two Thorns is the first book in a four-part series by S.J. Wharton that takes place in a so-called utopian republic during the 1980's. It was published in January, 2014.

Synopsis
It is 1984 in the Republic of Rosewick.

Since the age of six, Catherine Mercier has worked as a scandaler in the criminal underworld, otherwise known as the town of Old Selby. She is employed among dozens of other young criminals, as she earns her way by making money in the most degenerate methods possible. After the recent death of the Consul of Rosewick, the mayor of Selby, Malcolm Mortimer begins to introduce his plans for the future. Plans that include bringing down the perfect neighbouring town of New Ashdale to the same diobolical degree, as an act of revenge for Ashdale's own mayor, Arthur Valentine.

Catherine, along with her best friends, Julie Waite and Tommy Cassell, participate in activities set by the mayor for all of the young people of Selby, to learn to rebuild a new town from the ashes. It is during these times that she begins to see how terrible the town really is, and what Rosewick has allowed to happen.

Important Characters
Catherine Mercier is the protagonist and narrator. She has worked as a scandaler for most of her life. She has picked up bad manners from her time on the streets, as well as an attitude that makes her fierce and quite arrogant. Later on, she sees the error of her ways and resolves to change.

Julie Waite is Catherine's oldest and best friend. She has also been a scandaler since she was young, though her attitude isn't nearly as bad, and her involvement is limited.

Jayme Campbell is a close friend of Julie's, whose friendship developed when they began Boughton Third School. He was born in Ashdale, but isn't fond of the ways of Rosewick.

Oliver McCain is Jayme's best friend, as they have been since they were very young. He is somewhat of a romantic interest to Catherine, particularly after they fall out.

Carol Mercier is Catherine's paternal grandmother. She used the money Catherine's mother left to enrol her in a Third School in New Ashdale.

Donna de Burgh is the stepmother of Oliver. She is harsh and spiteful towards Catherine for unknown reasons, which are revealed towards the end of the book.

Sheridan Kingsley was the greatest scandaler at the Hideout. Though teased by the other boys, he found a difference between his old life and a new one.

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781291720372

Paperback
ISBN: 9781291720389

eBook
ISBN: 9781291723021

Trivia

 * Was written between 2011 and 2013.
 * Though certain chapters were formed after dozens of different drafts, the manuscript in its entirety was completed after 8 full drafts.
 * Was named in May, 2012.
 * Although the novel was always entitled Between Two Thorns, for a brief while the series was named The Red Lady.
 * Has a word count of 134,081 (excluding chapter titles).