Mrs England - Stacey Halls

A Women's Prize Futures 10 Finalist A Waterstones Best Book of the Year From the bestselling author of The Familiars and The Foundling comes Stacey Halls - most compelling and ambitious novel to date. West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly-graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple form a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beau, mysterious Mrs England. Ostracised by the other servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, soon a series of strange events will force Ruby to question everything she thought she knew . . . Simmering with slow-burning menace, Mrs England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, weaving an enthralling story of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception. Set against the atmospheric West Yorkshire landscape, Stacey Halls' third novel proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our times. Highly atmospheric and tense. - Richard Osman As treacherous and invigorating as the moors. I didn't want it to end. - Laura Purcell Enticing and beautifully written. - Sunday Express The new Hilary Mantel. - Cosmopolitan Utterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller. - Daily Mail Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric. - Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters Mesmerising, entrancing, a spellbinding novel of emotion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns and lies. Gripping to the very last page. - Kate Williams Full of gothic menace, this Edwardian mystery is convincing and absolutely enthralling. - Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City Both dazzling and dark, as beautiful as it is disturbing. A captivating, sensuous novel. - Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon Brilliant. An utterly gripping exploration of female fortitude in adversity, with a propulsive, atmospheric plot. Ruby is a wonderful protagonist. - Caroline Lea