Description
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth. By chance she meets a midwife named Alice Grey, who promises to help her deliver a healthy baby. But Alice soon stands accused of witchcraft.Is there more to Alice than meets the eye? Fleetwood must risk everything to prove her innocence. As the two women’s lives become intertwined, the Witch Trials of 1612 loom. Time is running out; both their lives are at stake. Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other.Rich and compelling, set against the frenzy of the real Pendle Hill Witch Trials, this novel explores the rights of 17th-century women and raises the question: Was witch-hunting really women-hunting? Fleetwood Shuttleworth, Alice Grey and the other characters are actual historical figures. King James I was obsessed with asserting power over the lawless countryside (even woodland creatures, or “familiars,” were suspected of dark magic) by capturing “witches”—in reality mostly poor and illiterate women.
About the Author
PRE-ORDER THE CAPTIVATING, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW NOVEL, INSPIRED BY REAL HISTORICAL FIGURES AND EVENTS
NOT ALL WHO ARE FALLEN WANT TO BE SAVED
London, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life - but how badly do they want it?
Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her cold. Her stalker of ten years has been released from prison, and she knows it s only a matter of time before their nightmarish game resumes once more.
As the women s worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .
The Household is the new novel from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. Set against Charles Dicken s home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history, it is Stacey Halls most ambitious and captivating novel yet.
PRAISE FOR THE HOUSEHOLD and STACEY HALLS
With warm and artful prose this is a story richly realised and sympathetically imagined, making The Household undoubtedly my favourite novel written by Stacey Halls so far, whose writing goes from strength to strength. I loved it Susan Stokes Chapman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Pandora
I devoured The Household by Stacey Halls. Meticulously researched and thoroughly entertaining, I was struck most of all by its hopefulness: about forgiveness, friendship, the choices we make and the opportunity for a second (or third) chance. This is undoubtedly Stacey Halls best novel yet - I can t wait to see what she writes next Elizabeth Macneal
Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again Kate Mosse
This novel is the very definition of unputdownable. I loved every one of the women connected to Urania Cottage. Original, engrossing and so true to life. My favourite Stacey Halls novel yet Louise Hare
Stacey Halls most ambitious and brilliant book so far. Complex and brilliantly-drawn characters and, at its heart, a message of friendship and hope. A triumph Anna Mazzola
I loved The Household. Moving expertly between perspectives and locations, it is full of heart, humaneness and menace. I enjoyed every second Beth Underdown
Meticulously researched and compelling Red
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