The captivating Sunday Times bestseller from the author of The Familiars

Two women, bound by a child, and a secret that will change everything . . .

London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate daughter Clara at London's Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the child she has never known. Dreading the worst, that Clara has died in care, Bess is astonished to be told she has already claimed her. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl - and why.

Less than a mile from Bess's lodgings in the city, in a quiet, gloomy townhouse on the edge of London, a young widow has not left the house in a decade. When her close friend - an ambitious young doctor at the Foundling Hospital - persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart.

From the bestselling author of The Familiars comes this captivating story of mothers and daughters, class and power, and love against the greatest of odds . . .

'The new Hilary Mantel' COSMOPOLITAN

'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

Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE, author of THE MERCIES

A moving, atmospheric chiller' INDEPENDENT

'A breathtaking achievement' SUNDAY EXPRESS

'Enjoyable and atmospheric' THE TIMES

'Historical drama at its very best' MY WEEKLY


**THE HOUSEHOLD, the brand new novel from Stacey Halls, is available to pre-order now**












*Sunday Times bestseller February and September 2020*

*Winner of Women's Prize for Fiction x Good Housekeeping Futures award - Good Housekeeping 14 Oct 2022*

From the bestselling author of The Familiars, and set against the vibrant backdrop of Georgian London, The Foundling explores families, secrets, class, equality, power and the meaning of motherhood.

About the Author
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 2019, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards Debut Book of the Year. Her novels The Foundling and Mrs England were also acclaimed Sunday Times bestsellers. Mrs England was further longlisted for the Portico Prize, the Walter Scott Prize and won the Women's Prize Futures Award.

Reviews
If you loved The Familiars, then you won't be disappointed by The Foundling. A gripping and moving read * Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido *
Pacy, highly atmospheric and tantalisingly gripping from the very first page. The strands of tense and devastating maternal conflict are acutely observed and beautifully sustained throughout the book. Stacey really has created warm and memorable characters, drawn with great sympathy and understanding, who deliver a taut and riveting read. With rich storytelling and a compelling narrative, The Foundling is subtle, satisfying and intensely moving; a fabulous example of great historical fiction * Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh *
The Foundling 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 *
It was a privilege to read The Foundling. I really couldn't stop turning the pages as Stacey's beautiful writing drew a compelling tale of love and hope from the vivid streets of Georgian London * Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose *
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. It's crammed with vivid and engaging characters, there's a beautiful sense of place, revealing hidden aspects of Georgian life. And 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 *
Beautiful and captivating * Candis *
If you enjoy Mindhunter levels of suspense, you'll love it * Cosmopolitan.co.uk *
The Foundling is a ripping yarn with real heart and depth * Sun Business Post *
Stacey Halls is back with another mesmerising story * Yahoo Lifestyle *



Book Information
ISBN 9781838771409
Author Stacey Halls
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Manilla Press
Publisher Bonnier Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 292g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 22mm