AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER
“A beguiling tale of sisterhood and empowerment, set against the enigmatic background of Victorian England.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Last Twilight in Paris
A forbidden book club. Dangerous secrets. The women who dare to break free.
You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.
“Martin’s literary fusion of Bridgerton and The Chicks’ 'Goodbye Earl' brims with a mischievous glee.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen
“Elegantly rendered… An absolute masterpiece.” —Mimi Matthews, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Muse of Maiden Lane
A powerful story inspired by true events.
"This historical fiction deals with the power of books, the limited rights women had in the 1800's and the very real practice of the men in their lives (fathers, husbands, brothers) committing them to insane asylums when they were tired or displeased with them. It is a powerful story inspired by real historical events and while it is a frustrating and sometimes dark tale, I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital advance reading copy. 4. 25/5 stars"
