A love letter to Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst is a witty novel of manners and gossip, class and family, scandal and romance.

''Romance and scandal abound in this compelling period drama . . . Recommended for all lovers of Regency historical fiction'' LAURA SHEPPERSON, author of The Heroines

''Warm and witty, with a wonderful cast of quirky characters whose company I found irresistible'' JESSICA BULL, author of Miss Austen Investigates

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A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife . . .


But why would he choose her?

Summer 1841. It is marriage season in the county of Wickenshire, and Miss Amelia Ashpoint isn’t sure she can face yet another ball. But now that she has reached the grand age of three-and-twenty, time is (apparently) running out. Her father is anxious to secure her a husband and has set his sights on Mr Montgomery Hurst of Radcliffe Park.

Only, Mr Hurst has just announced his engagement to somebody else.

To the great consternation of Wickenshire, a community that thrives on gossip, the county’s most eligible bachelor is about to marry not only an unknown stranger – but a widow with three children, odd manners and no ancestry to speak of. Society is appalled and intrigued.

Meanwhile, Amelia Ashpoint has no interest in marriage at all. But in this town, it is clear that nobody’s business is their own. And while society has high expectations for Amelia, her heart is drawing her in a very different direction . . .

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‘A glittering comedy with spiky wit, an eye for social critique, and (of course) a terrific sense of irony’ TOM MEAD, author of Death and the Conjuror and The Murder Wheel

''Rich with scandal, romance and social mores . . . a total delight!'' ANITA FRANK, author of The Lost Ones and The Good Liars

''A feast of clever wit and lovingly drawn characters, this is an absolute treat for fans of Jane Austen - or anyone looking for top-rate storytelling'' HESTER MUSSON

''An absolute dream of a book. A compelling storyline that kept me gripped to the last page, and beyond. I think this book will establish her – deservedly – as one of our best historical fiction writers'' ANNE CORLETT


PRAISE FOR KATIE LUMSDEN

''Vivid, haunting, surprising'' STACEY HALLS

''A full-blooded gothic mystery with bite, great characterisation and heaps of atmosphere'' EMMA STONEX

''With echoes of Jane Eyre but with a heart of its own . . . Suspenseful and beautifully crafted'' SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN

''This book delivers HUGE Jane Eyre vibes, gothic and mysterious Victoriana. I LOVED it'' SOPHIE IRWIN