Set against the smoke and iron of wartime Leeds, A Penny a Shell is a sweeping, character-driven tale inspired by the true events of the Barnbow munitions factory-a vital part of Britain's World War I home front and the site of the devastating Room 42 explosion of 1916. Blending meticulous research with moving storytelling, Antony J Bell brings to life the extraordinary women known as the Barnbow Lasses, whose work powered Britain's artillery and whose sacrifice remained hidden for decades.
In the winter of 1916, thousands of women from across Yorkshire streamed into the factory each day, their hands stained by TNT, their pay packets supporting families torn apart by war. Among them are three unforgettable protagonists:
Sarah Jennings, a sharp-tongued single mother from York, juggling exhaustion, humour, and the constant fear for her sailor son;
Eliza Wren, a determined charge hand navigating debt, leadership, and the crushing responsibility of keeping her team safe;
and Lucy Atkinson, a quiet seventeen-year-old Leeds girl mourning a brother killed with the Leeds Pals, seeking purpose amid grief.
Inside the factory's strict, high-pressure system-where a single mistake can ignite catastrophe-their seven-woman team confronts the relentless pace of shell production. As the demand for armaments rises, so does the personal and physical cost. TNT dust yellows their skin, illness shadows their steps, and the promise of a penny bonus per shell pushes them to dangerous limits.
Through vivid detail and compelling emotional depth, A Penny a Shell explores themes of female resilience in wartime, British working-class life in 1916, and the overlooked role of women in industrial warfare. This is not a battlefield novel, but a story of courage on the factory floor, where patriotism, poverty, friendship, and desperation intersect.
When the tragic munitions factory explosion strikes, the lives of Sarah, Eliza, Lucy, and their coworkers are changed forever-echoing the real events that claimed 35 women's lives and were kept from the public by wartime censorship. Their sacrifice, once forgotten, is honoured here with remarkable humanity and grace.
For readers who love The Alice Network, The Nightingale, The Glovemaker, or deeply rooted regional stories of women whose lives shaped history, A Penny a Shell is a moving tribute to the resilience of the forgotten women of WWI and a gripping portrait of Yorkshire's role in the Great War.
Industry Reviews
"A masterclass in suspense-this book grips your spine, squeezes your heart, and refuses to let go. Haunting, beautiful, and breathtakingly tense, it lingers long after the final page."
- Hugh Van, Goodreads Reviewer
"Authentic, grounded, and deeply moving. The author knows their WWI history, from TNT dust to factory shifts. A powerful story about the working-class Yorkshire women history tends to forget."
- David Fletcher, Goodreads Reviewer
"Beautifully written and emotionally rich. The three central women feel utterly real, and the historical detail is superb. A devastating and unforgettable story of sacrifice, resilience, and the overlooked women of Barnbow."
- Varangchart T., Goodreads Reviewer
"A compassionate and atmospheric novel that transcends its historical setting. By bringing hardship, courage, and the will to endure so vividly to life, the story resonates across cultures-timeless and borderless."
- Nassim Abed, Goodreads Reviewer
"A meaningful and honest read. The characters feel real and unforgettable, and the strength of the women shines through every struggle. Sad moments blend with hope, creating a balanced and heartfelt story. I learned history without it ever feeling heavy. Highly recommended."
- Darren Kemble, Amazon Reviewer
