Historical Fiction

Description

From the brothels of Covent Garden to the oppressive society of the eighteenth century, discover the enthralling historical masterpiece from Louise Hare.

‘The sharp-witted, courageous heroine is the perfect narrator of the atmospheric, enthralling story that Hare has woven … a fantastic read’ Harriet Tyce, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘A beautifully drawn cast of characters and a heroine you care about from the very first page. I had to stop myself racing through it because I didn’t want it to end’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man

****

December, 1765. In the early hours of the morning, Sukey Maynard flees her home – a brothel in Covent Garden. Her maidenhood is about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and she is too frightened to stay. But when she is captured and returned to the house of fallen sisters, she has a choice to make – should she stay, or should she run again?

As Sukey accepts her fate, she begins to learn how to navigate this strange new life of hers, and soon realises that there are those who wish her and her sisters harm. But this world that operates in the shadows has its own set of rules, and if Sukey is to survive then she must learn to play the game …

The exquisite new novel from bestselling author Louise Hare based in 18th century London paints a vivid picture of London’s underbelly and shows how, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.

Purchase in hardback from your local bookshop. Online options are BookShop.org and for the eBook I recommend checking out Libro.fm

“London is the greatest city in the world. That is what they say, and, for some, I suppose it must be true. If you have money. Power. If you perch on the higher rungs of the ladder that makes up the city’s society. For people like me, London is just a trap. A place to survive . A place full of darkness and danger and …” – The House of Fallen Sisters by Louise Hare

My thoughts

Travel back with me to London, in the year 1765. The men wore wigs and breeches (think Mozart) and women ‘stays’ (a bodice with strips of whalebone) and hooped petticoats. Evenings were long and dark (electric lighting wouldn’t be invented for another hundred years). Respectable girls married well and lived a respectable life and their husbands would go and find their less respectable needs satisfied by a harlot. Sukey Maynard had grown up an orphan, relying on the kindness of her mother’s friends. Dark skinned, she was always made to feel that she didn’t fit, that there was something ungodly about her. The harsh treatment of her guardians was hard to bear and so when she returned to London with her beloved Emmy she believes that things will get better.

However, all is not as she dreamed and we meet Sukey as she is trying to escape a path that she did not choose. A path that was forced upon her. Like her mother before her, her innocence is to be sold to the highest bidder. As she escapes, the house that has become a prison, she comes across an injured young man. He is close to death and she trades her freedom for his life by taking him to get the help he needs. She saves him but at a terrible cost to herself. We return with Sukey as she is dragged back to the house from which she ran and follow her as she tries to pull back some control and win her freedom. Sukey must come to terms with with her fate, for at least she is safe within the walls of the House of Fallen Sisters. Far worse dangers lurk outside on the streets, as girls begin to disappear without a trace. The mythical Piper is blamed for their disappearance, a monster that should only reside in nightmares. The very mention is enough to keep the girls within the house. They are safe there… at least that is what they are told.

Part historical fiction, part mystery, this is a story of strong women trying to survive in a world dominated by men, power and sex. A story of sisterhood, family and survival. It is a riveting read and one that I devoured quickly, so caught up in Sukey’s journey, watching her grow and discover how to not only survive but also take back her life and freedom… and perhaps discover where those missing girls had disappeared to. Is the Piper real or are there far worse dangers wondering the streets of London in 1765?

Thank you to the publisher, HQ and Netgalley for supplying me with a digital copy to read and review. I have been a fan of Louise since her debut novel, This Lovely City, was published in 2020.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Tales Before Bedtime today. It has been an absolute pleasure and I look forward to welcoming you back again sometime soon.

Happy reading!