Trade Paperback
The Other Side of Mrs Wood
By Lucy Barker
’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 séances 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 protégé, to join her show. But is Emmie Finch the naïve 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?
”'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
”'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
”'Vivid and witty” - Best
”'Pure entertainment with a line-up of fabulously etched characters” - Sainsbury’s Magazine
”'A witty debut with a twist at the end that should tickle readers” - Kirkus Reviews
”'An excellent debut. Vivid and witty with an incredible cast of characters.” - The Bookseller
”'What an immensely clever, hugely enjoyable conjuring of Victorian high society - it's clearly so well researched.” - Emma Hughes, author or No Such Thing As Perfect