THE GIRLS OF GOOD FORTUNE

Kristina McMorris

Sourcebooks

5/25

Historical Fiction

Paperback, 416 pages

"As the past catches up to the present timeline, Celia faces significant obstacles as she seeks safety, self-sufficiency and maybe even justice." -The Washington Post

"Celia's strength of character shines, as she seems to bring out the best in people she has no good reason to trust. McMorris's latest brings fresh focus to real atrocities committed in the burgeoning American West."

-Booklist (starred review)

Oregon, 1888. Amid the subterranean labyrinth of Portland's notorious Shanghai Tunnels, a woman awakens in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. Celia soon realizes she's a "shanghaied" victim on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor, leaving behind those she loves most. Although well accustomed to adapting for survival—being half-Chinese, passing as white during an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment—she fears that far more than her own fate hangs in the balance.

As she pieces together the twisting path that led to her abduction, from serving as a maid for the family of a dubious mayor to becoming entwined in the case of a gold miners' massacre, revelations emerge of a child left in peril. Desperate, Celia must find a way to escape and return to a place where unearthed secrets could prove deadlier than the dark recesses of Chinatown.



A captivating tale of resilience and hope, The Girls of Good Fortune explores the complexity of family and identity, the importance of stories that echo through generations, and the power of strength found beneath the surface.

Dear Reader:

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels—ever heard of them? If not, you aren’t alone. I’m an Oregon native, and only a decade ago did I learn (from a ghost-hunting show of all things!) about the underground labyrinth concentrated under Chinatown.

By the late 1800s, aside from being used to transport goods between the port and the basements of businesses, the tunnels were an escape route during raids of opium parlors and gambling dens—and quite possibly for a darker use.

Portland, after all, was dubbed the “Shanghaiing capital of the world.” All it took was drugged ale in a saloon, and a man could awaken on a ship at sea, given two choices by the captain: work as forced labor—to a destination “as far away as Shanghai” (a six-year round trip, by the way)—or be tossed overboard.

Fascinated? I was, too. My research led me to even more discoveries, including a shocking atrocity whose related court documents were hidden for more than a century. This all combined in my latest novel, The Girls of Good Fortune—which I so hope you’ll check out and enjoy!

Kristina McMorris

Book Club Recipe and Menu

Silver Cake: Celia bakes this special birthday dessert, popular in the 1800s, for Pearl’s first birthday. The precursor to white cake, Silver cake features a great number of egg whites (whereas gold cake, today’s yellow cake, typically includes egg yolks), resulting in a fluffy texture akin to angel food cake. Trust me when I say the unique key to this delicious treat is the fruit extract, as opposed to the modern standard extracts of vanilla and almond.

Lemon Snaps: As a child, Celia loved these popular cookies. Crisp, tasty, and notably simple to make, they’re perfect to enjoy with a cup of hot tea.

Shanghai Moon Cakes: An old favorite of Celia’s father, mooncakes are traditionally made and enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Stuffed with a variety of fillings such as lotus paste and red bean, these pastries often include a salted egg yolk to symbolize the moon.

Hardtack: Celia was served these hard biscuits while in the underground cell. Hardtack, made with just three simple ingredients and prized for its exceptionally long shelf life, was a staple survival bread for pioneers and settlers.

Dim Sum: Serve an assortment of dim sum—dumplings, spring rolls, and buns, which make perfect finger foods for a party and beautifully reflect Chinese cuisine."

Hot Tea Bar: Sample a variety of Chinese teas, including green tea, oolong, and red tea, served in traditional Chinese teapots, cups, and tea bowls. The bar could also incorporate elements of Chinese tea culture, such as the preparation methods and traditions associated with tea. 

Fortune Cookies: Have fortune cookies on hand as a fun, interactive element. You could even write custom fortunes based on themes or quotes from the book.

-Kristina McMorris

FOR YOUR BOOK CLUB

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