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The Beholders

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( 2,044 ratings, 385 reviews)
Brief Description
‘Held me completely in its thrall until the very last line’ — SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN ‘I was hooked from the start’ — DAILY MAIL A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH A TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN PRIZE June, 1878.... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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‘Held me completely in its thrall until the very last line’ — SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN

‘I was hooked from the start’ — DAILY MAIL

A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

A TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN PRIZE

June, 1878. The body of a boy is pulled from the depths of the River Thames, suspected to be the beloved missing child of the widely admired Liberal MP Ralph Gethin.

Four months earlier. Harriet is a young maid newly employed at Finton Hall. Fleeing the drudgery of an unwanted engagement in the small village where she grew up, Harriet is entranced by the grand country hall; she is entranced too by her glamorous mistress Clara Gethin, whose unearthly singing voice floats through the house. But Clara, though captivating, is erratic. The master of the house is a much-lauded politician, but he is strangely absent. And some of their beautiful belongings seem to tell terrible stories.

Unable to ignore her growing unease, Harriet sets out to discover their secrets. When she uncovers a shocking truth, a chain of events is set in motion that could cost Harriet everything, even her freedom…

What readers are saying…

‘I didn't want to stop reading!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This story has everything: murder, love, intrigue and heartbreak’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Plenty of unexpected twists and turns. A solid five stars from me!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I couldn't put it down till the very end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking, intriguing, hard to put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008558994

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 January 2024

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fourth Estate Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 420g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Hester Musson studied at Bristol University and the RCS in Glasgow. She worked as an actress and autocue operator in London before writing full time, and now lives in Scotland.

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