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Slashed Beauties

the new feminist historical fantasy read of 2025, perfect for readers of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah Penner, Deborah Harkness and lovers of dark fantasy
By A. Rushby
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Brief Description
A spellbinding tale of sisterhood, betrayal, and reclamation revolving around three 18th-century wax models of women, known as Anatomical Venuses or 'slashed beauties'. Legend has it, these beauties are bewitched, coming to life to murder men who have wronged them. Finally, these men will get what... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A spellbinding tale of sisterhood, betrayal, and reclamation revolving around three 18th-century wax models of women, known as Anatomical Venuses or 'slashed beauties'. Legend has it, these beauties are bewitched, coming to life to murder men who have wronged them.

Finally, these men will get what they deserve. We will make sure of it. Together.

Seoul, present day: Antiques dealer Alys is offered a vast sum of money to transport one of three highly coveted Anatomical Venuses to London, with one key condition – she must destroy it when she reaches the city.

London, 1769: After a chance meeting at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, young and inexperienced Eleanor is promised a life of luxury by the beautiful and charismatic Elizabeth and her protégé, Emily. All she must do is allow Elizabeth complete control of her destiny.

In this darkly compelling and magical novel, prepare to discover the dangerous secret shared by these women – a secret that spans centuries, and which will unearth horrors not of this world. Perfect for fans of Weyward by Emilia Hart, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow and The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, as well as readers of Jessie Burton and Stacey Halls.

Slashed Beauties is the warped, witchy lovechild of Madame Tussaud and Jack the Ripper – an engrossing gothic tale of friendship, misogyny, and the murderous consequence of denying women's autonomy.' - Ellie Marney, New York Times bestselling author of None Shall Sleep

'Utterly compelling from the first page to the final, shocking twist, Slashed Beauties is a darkly exquisite story that explores the corrosive effects of misogyny and the enduring power of female love.' - Christine Wells, author of The Paris Gown

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781038953728

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 September 2025

Country: Australia

Imprint: HQ Fiction

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 421g

Pages: 352

Collections

A. Rushby Best Sellers at Book Hero Crime & Thriller Fantasy Fiction General Fiction Historical Fantasy Horror & Supernatural In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy

About the Author

A. Rushby (also writing as Allison Rushby), was gifted the middle name of Jane, for Jane Austen. Wordsmithing was duly destined and, under several pseudonyms, she has published more than thirty books. She has long been a fan of cities steeped in history, wild, overgrown cemeteries, red brick Victorian museums, the curious and the uncanny. She prefers to write with a cup of French Earl Grey tea by her side and a cat curled up in her lap. Photo credit: @Quince and Mulberry Studios.

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