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Mrs. England: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Stacey Halls (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8,886 ratings
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A Sunday Times bestseller!

"Highly atmospheric and tense."--Richard Osman, New YorkTimes bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club 

Simmering with slow-burning menace, Mrs. England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, an enthralling tale of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception.

West Yorkshire, 1904. When recently graduated Ruby May takes a nanny position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple from 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 something is not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs. England.

Distant and withdrawn, Lilian shows little interest in her children or charming husband and is far from the angel of the house Ruby was expecting.

As the warm, vivacious Charles welcomes Ruby into the family, a series of strange events forces her to question everything she thought she knew. Ostracized by the servants and increasingly uneasy, Ruby must face her own demons in order to prevent history from repeating itself. After all, there's no such thing as the perfect family—she should know.

This captivating new feminist novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Stacey Halls is her third work of fiction and proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our time.
 
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    329 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    MIRA
  5. Publication date
    April 5, 2022
  6. File size
    2034 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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  1. ‘Because I don’t want to. And that is a good enough reason not to do something. Saying no can be ten times harder than saying yes, but it makes you feel a hundred times better.’
    Highlighted by 167 Kindle readers
  2. ‘My principal says that the material on which nurses work is more precious than canvas, more exquisite than marble, and more valuable to the world than both of those things. It’s about the shaping of people into good human beings.’
    Highlighted by 70 Kindle readers
  3. I wondered if there was a word for homesickness not for a place but for people; I didn’t miss the flat itself or our bedroom, only the warm, unique feeling of being around those who knew me best.
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From the Publisher

There's no such thing as the perfect family…

"Highly atmospheric and tense."—Richard Osman

"Full of gothic menace this Edwardian mystery is convincing and absolutely enthralling."—Louise Hare

"…Menacing and marvelously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller."—Daily Mail

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Highly atmospheric and tense"-- Richard Osman, New York Times bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club

Utterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller."--Daily Mail

"Shimmers with menace... enticing and beautifully written."--Sunday Express

"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, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Queen Victoria

"Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric" --Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters

"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

"In precise and evocative prose, Stacey Halls has conjured a devastating, compelling and utterly real world. I was gripped from start to finish."--Joanna Glen, Costa shortlisted author of The Other Half of Augusta Hope

"Jaw-droppingly brilliant. Exquisitely written, incredibly atmospheric, a masterclass in rising tension. The deliciously addictive love-child of Daphne Du Maurier and Henry James."-- Liz Hyder, author of Bearmouth

"Brilliant. An utterly gripping exploration of female fortitude in adversity, with a propulsive, atmospheric plot. Ruby is a wonderful protagonist."-- Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman

PRAISE FOR THE FAMILIARS

“The new Hilary Mantel!” --Cosmopolitan

‘‘A rich and atmospheric reimagining of a historical period rife with religious tensions, superstitions, misogyny and fear…. Now with so many high profile men claiming to be victims of a witch hunt, it’s good to understand what a real one feels like.”--New York Times Book Review

" An intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. A must-read novel.”—Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

“A mesmerizing historical novel that deftly plumbs a darkly textured tapestry of so-called justice to reveal the real crimes being carried out against society: poverty, hunger, hopelessness, misogyny, and that mother of all-time high crimes, abuse of power.“–Seattle Review of Books

“An intriguing story about a fascinating period of history full of brilliant female characters.”—Libby Page, author of The Lido

“Enthralling, spellbinding, terrifying, full of twists and turns, written with heart and soul.”—Kate Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Queen Victoria

PRAISE FOR THE LOST ORPHAN

"Vividly evoked."--Kirkus Reviews

“Fantastic storytelling.”—Good Housekeeping

"Halls tackles motherhood in all its forms with grace and insight."--Booklist

“Halls’s mysterious tale is full of intrigue. This is a page-turner with a satisfying and harmonious ending.” –Library Journal

"A gripping tale of motherhood, loss, and redemption. Hall’s distinctive characters and scrupulous historical detail drop us into a rich, Dickensian world full of desperation and lies, and shows us just how far a mother will go to hold onto her child."--Serena Burdick, International bestselling author of The Girl With No Names

"If you loved The Familiars, you won't be disappointed. A gripping and moving read." ― Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido


"Dragged me along in its narrative wake. Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars. ― Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies

"A masterpiece of storytelling--a perfect, captivating mystery that expands to ask big questions about love and motherhood, all while maintaining the breathless pace of a thriller, and the stunningly vivid and well-researched detail of the very best historical fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough. ― Katie Lowe, author of The Furies

"I was completely swept up in this novel... the central mystery of a missing child gradually plays out as a tenderly observed study of grief and loss, while offering the possibility that love will indeed find a way. ―Amanda Mason, author of The Wayward Girls

About the Author

Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Lancashire, England. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has worked as a journalist since the age of 21, writing for publications including The Independent, Fabulous magazine, Stylist and Psychologies. She lives in London with her husband. The Familiars is her first novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B097HKKXZX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIRA; Original edition (April 5, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 5, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2034 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 329 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8,886 ratings

About the author

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Stacey Halls

Stacey Halls

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Stacey Halls was born in Lancashire and worked as a journalist before her debut The Familiars was published in 2019. The Familiars was the bestselling debut hardback novel of that year, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Debut Book of the Year. The Foundling, her second novel, was also a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. Mrs England is her third novel.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
8,886 global ratings
Captivating historical fiction. I loved every page!
5 Stars
Captivating historical fiction. I loved every page!
With its gothic setting, its captivating protagonist, and its plethora of family secrets, paranoia, and deception, this was exactly my kind of novel.Expert characterization coupled with a plot rife with menace and ‘gaslighting’, ensured that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.This story was a well researched snap-shot of Edwardian society with all of its class divides and its gender inequality. It made me uncomfortable in places, especially when the doors were locked down at night…I thoroughly enjoyed Nurse May’s rapport with the England children. She was industrious, yet she never skimped on them having fun and using their imaginations.The ending was a trifle enigmatic and obscure – though I felt it fit the book perfectly. It causes the reader to reread it… and wonder…In short, I loved “Mrs. England”, and Nurse Ruby May. The time spent in their company was an enjoyable one. Now I’m desperate to read this author’s previous two titles.
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Top reviews from the United States

Josie
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting From Start to Finish
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you like Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and that type of genre, you’ll reading this book. Written in a classic English format, it will keep you guessing from beginning to end. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I highly recommend it.
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MJZ
4.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful and intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023
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I don't often get the chance to read a book in one afternoon, but Mrs. England had me hooked from the beginning and I simply couldn't put it down. I think one of the reasons I was so taken with it is that it has a very "Bronte" feeling to it. The characters are uniquely the author's own but the setting and some of the components of the story transported me back to Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey. The gothic elements and the strong heroine make this a suspenseful and thrilling read. I can only hope the rest of the books I read this year will be as memorable
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer Carol E
3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat dark
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023
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I suspected this novel would be rather dark and depressing. After reading it, I feel the need for something lighter. All the characters are distinctly English. And even though things come together in the end, I still found the plot weak and depressing.
5 people found this helpful
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SeattleSue
5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle Gothic Tale
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
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Good read for Anglophiles on a rainy day. Pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy this tale of a plucky young woman with a secret of her own as she journeys from fashionable London to a new placement as Nurse to the four children of a textile magnate in moody Yorkshire. Something is amiss in the grand household and Ruby May struggles to understand who she can trust and how best to protect her young charges. Well-written and absorbing.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A story of coming g back to life
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2022
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I had this on my list before it was released and it was a great read. No spoilers. Enjoyed it very much.
5 people found this helpful
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Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this book immensely
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
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Sad and thoughtful saga. The descriptions were detailed and the story heartbreaking. I hope to read another by the author
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Kris
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed this on vacation.
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
Good plot and pacing.
2 people found this helpful
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Charla Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and Dangerous
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
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Mrs. England is centered around a young nurse by the name of Ruby May. Ms May is a fairly new nurse that takes a job in West Yorkshire for a family that owns a mill. Her new charges include Saul, Decca, and Charley, the three children of Mr. and Mrs. England. Ms May grows to love the children, but slowly realizes that something is wrong in the household. Mrs. England appears to be an uncaring Mother, while Mr. England seems to be a doting Father. The house and the country always have a dark, forbidding atmosphere. Ms May gets caught up in the “weirdness” of the place and the people. While Ms May is trying to sort out the mysteries, she is also keeping a dark secret of her own.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Patricia D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read, keeps you interested all the way through!
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2022
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Best reading so far!
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Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent storytelling
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2024
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Enjoyed this book from start to finish. First time reading a book by this author but won't be the last.
One person found this helpful
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Corinne04
5.0 out of 5 stars An intricate story & complex characters
Reviewed in France on February 11, 2024
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I loved it. It has been a while since I've read about a character so well developed. An unusual story too.
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Ste
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely read
Reviewed in Italy on December 30, 2023
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A great book and very well written.
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€nigma
5.0 out of 5 stars Atmosphärisches und fesselndes Familienporträt in der Edwardianischen Ära! 4,5 Sterne
Reviewed in Germany on July 6, 2021
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Inhalt und Beurteilung
Ruby May, die das Norland Institute in London absolviert und dort einen Abschluss als „Nurse“ (Kindermädchen) gemacht hat, muss sich eine neue Stelle suchen, als ihre Arbeitgeber nach Amerika auswandern. So verschlägt es sie nach West Yorkshire zur Familie England., um deren vier Kinder zu betreuen. Ihr Leben im abgelegenen Hardcastle House gestaltet sich allerdings anders als erwartet. Während der Hausherr, Charles England, aufgeschlossen und freundlich ist, scheint mit seiner Frau Lilian etwas nicht zu stimmen. Sie verbringt fast den ganzen Tag in ihrem Zimmer und scheint sich für ihre Kinder nicht zu interessieren. Auch die Hausbediensteten verhalten sich Ruby gegenüber reserviert und es kommt zu einigen sonderbaren Vorfällen.
Ruby, die selbst eine komplizierte und traumatische Familiengeschichte hinter sich hat, versucht den subtilen „Schwingungen“ in der Familie auf den Grund zu gehen.

Der Roman, der kein Krimi ist, schildert in ruhiger, aber dennoch sehr fesselnder Weise das Leben und die Ehe (in wohlhabenden Kreisen) im England des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts (Edwardianische Ära). Das 20. Jahrhundert scheint in Hardcastle House noch nicht so ganz angekommen zu sein, was sowohl an der Ausstattung des Hauses als auch der Familienkonstellation sichtbar wird, die noch stark an das Viktorianische Zeitalter erinnern.
Obwohl sich zunächst nichts Spektakuläres ereignet, schafft die Autorin eine subtile Spannung; die fortlaufende Handlung, in der sich immer mehr mysteriöse Vorfälle ereignen, wird von Rückblenden auf Rubys eigene Kindheit unterbrochen. Die Informationen sind jedoch spärlich und bruchstückhaft, sodass das Interesse des Lesers am Köcheln gehalten wird.
Die Charaktere der Hauptfiguren sind differenziert und glaubwürdig ausgestaltet, auch die atmosphärischen Landschaftsbeschreibungen überzeugen.
Der Schluss ist spannend, jedoch in dieser Form nicht vollkommen realistisch.

Fazit
Atmosphärischer und fesselnder Einblick in das Familienleben einer wohlhabenden englischen Familie während der Edwardianischen Ära!
8 people found this helpful
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