Description
An unforgettable story of two women linked by their roles in a tragedy at the end of the Victorian era, THE BUTTERFLY CABINET by Bernie McGill will appeal to fans of THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX or THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER, and was singled out by Julian Fellowes as his Book of the Year in the Guardian.
On a remote estate in the north of Ireland, a little girl dies, and the community is quick to condemn her mother, Harriet Ormond. Now, after seventy years, Maddie McGlade, a former nanny at the house, knows the time has come to reveal her own role in the events of that day.
From Maddie's reminiscences and Harriet's long-concealed diaries emerges an unforgettable story of motherhood and betrayal, and of two women, mistress and servant, inextricably connected by an extraordinary secret.
About the Author
Bernie McGill was born and raised in Northern Ireland and attended Queen's University, Belfast. Her first novel, The Butterfly Cabinet, was published by Headline Review in 2011. Bernie is also the author of Sleepwalkers, a collection of short fiction (shortlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize) and a contributor to three acclaimed anthologies of Irish women writers, The Long Gaze Back, The Glass Shore and Female Lines (New Island, 2015, 2016 & 2017). She has numerous theatre credits to her name. Bernie lives in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, with her family.
Reviews
'Beautifully done and thoroughly absorbing' * Daily Mail *
'An absorbing story of marriage, motherhood and murder' * Woman and Home *
'An intense exploration of maternal love and guilt' * Financial Times *
'Exceptionally accomplished' * Ulster Tatler *
'Utterly compelling... a haunted tale, pitch perfect in tone' * Marie Claire *
'Assured and very readable, holding plenty of promise for the future' * Irish Independent *
'McGill has the ability to enter the brain and heart of her characters and so to make us sympathise with people who commit acts we abhor' * Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey *
Book Information
ISBN 9781472240217
Author Bernie McGill
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Tinder Press
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 309g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 28mm