*Winner of the Women for the Future Award*
Waterstones Best Book of the Year
Longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize
Longlisted for the Portico Prize
"A Tense Atmosphere" Richard Osman
From the bestselling author of The Familiars and The Foundling comes Stacey Halls' most compelling and ambitious novel yet.
"Something's not right here. At home. With the family."
West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position caring for the children of Charles and Lillian England, a wealthy couple who form a powerful mill-owning dynasty, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adjusts to life at the secluded Hardcastle House, it becomes clear that something is amiss with her lover, the mysterious Mrs. England.
After being ostracized by the other servants and feeling increasingly anxious, a series of strange events soon forces Ruby to question everything she thought she knew...
Simmering with slow menace, Lady England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, weaving a captivating tale of men and women, power and control, courage, truth, and the darkest deception. Set against the stunning West Yorkshire landscape, Stacey Halls's third novel proves herself to be one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our time.
Praise for Lady England:
Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, imagination, and a great sense of place. “Atmospheric, witty, and accessible, each novel deserves to be read, then read again and again.” - Kate Moss. “Treacherous and refreshing as the marshes. I didn’t want it to end.” - Laura Purcell. “Gripping and beautifully written.” - Sunday Express. “The new Hilary Mantel.” - Cosmopolitan. “Hugely gripping. Menacing and superbly written, this is a supremely clever Edwardian horror novel.” - Daily Mail. “Stunning. Haunted, gripping, and atmospheric.” - Emma Stoneks, bestselling author of Lamplighters. “Magical, gripping, full of passion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns, and lies.” “Masturbating to the last page” Kate Williams “Filled with Gothic menace, this Edwardian mystery is compelling and utterly stunning” Louise Hare, author of This Beautiful City “A gripping and sensual novel” Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon “I was captivated from start to finish” Joanna Glynn, author of the Costa Award-nominated The Other Half of Augusta Hope
A stunning, beautifully written novel. It's a masterclass in escalating tension. It's the deliciously addictive lovechild of Daphne du Maurier and Lise Heder, author of the Henry James novel.
A wonderful novel. A captivating exploration of women's strength in the face of adversity, with a compelling story and a wonderful atmosphere. Ruby is a wonderful heroine.
*A Sunday Times bestseller, June 2021 and January 2022*