'Gorgeous, an utter delight' MARIAN KEYES

'A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

'A must read!' SOPHIE IRWIN

'Storytelling at its finest' STYLIST

A DAILY MAIL 'novel to devour in 2023

Mrs Wood is London's most celebrated medium. She's managed to survive decades in the competitive world of contacting the Other Side, has avoided the dreaded slips that revealed others as frauds and is still hosting packed-out seances for Victorian high society.

Yet, some of her patrons have recently cancelled their appointments. There are reports of American mediums nearly materialising full spirits and audiences are no longer satisfied with the knocking on tables and candle theatrics of years gone by. And then, at one of Mrs Wood's routine gatherings, she hears something terrifying - faint, but unmistakable: a yawn.

Mrs Wood needs to spice up her brand. She decides to take on Emmie, a young protege, to join her show. But is Emmie Finch the naive ingenue she seems to be? Or does she pose more of a threat to Mrs Wood's reign and, more horrifyingly, her reputation than Mrs Wood could ever have imagined?

The most irresistible historical fiction debut of the year

About the Author

Lucy Barker was the runner-up for the Curtis Brown First Novel Prize with an early draft of The Other Side of Mrs Wood. She holds an MA in Victorian Studies from Birkbeck, University of London, and has a passion for uncovering the real lives of women from this period. Always a dreamer, Lucy has written stories her whole life and is a Curtis Brown Creative and Novelry alumnus. She lives in Bath with her family.

Reviews

'I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight' Marian Keyes

'Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!' Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting

'There's much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut' Daily Mail

'A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz' Good Housekeeping

'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian seance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood's journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas

'Wonderfully entertaining' Harper's Bazaar

'Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut' Red Magazine

'Engaging and wonderfully original' Katie Fforde

'Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping' Reader's Digest

'Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended' Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels

'A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel' Lucy Diamond

'Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman

'Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read' Louise Dean

'Storytelling at its finest' Stylist

'I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight' Marian Keyes

'Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!' Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting

'There's much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut' Daily Mail

'A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz' Good Housekeeping

'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian seance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood's journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas

'Wonderfully entertaining' Harper's Bazaar

'Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut' Red Magazine

'Engaging and wonderfully original' Katie Fforde

'Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping' Reader's Digest

'Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended' Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels

'A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel' Lucy Diamond

'Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman

'Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read' Louise Dean

'Storytelling at its finest' Stylist

Book Information
ISBN 9780008597207
Author Lucy Barker
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Fourth Estate Ltd
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 640g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 159mm * 38mm