Pub Date Aug 26 2025 | Archive Date Sep 10 2025
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction
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Description
A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.
You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.
You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781335016287 |
| PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 336 |
Links
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MY REVIEW- 5 STARS TITLED: Ingenuous Ideas for a Plot
This story made me cry.
The countess of Duxbury, leads the story and this remarkable group. She is the savior for others to escape the horrific things that she herself suffered. I adored this brave woman and grieved her losses. Especially, her one and only true love Elias.
I loved the mustached cat that hid in the jar when the ladies came to book teas. He was so unique and towards the end I got to find out more about him.
There is tragedy, it's emotional but also has friendship and hope in this story. It highlights the travesties of the insane asylums and how easy it was for men to put women who inconvenienced them.
The Countess has so much spunk and ingenuity and not afraid to show up or blackmail when she needed to. And that nasty Lady Meddleson, was NO lady and she needed to be dealt with, especially because of all the harm she causes others. The Countess has been harmed the most by her. Meddleson, what a great and appropriate name for this woman.
Rose Wharton is from America and no one wants to have anything to do with her. Her husband, Theodore is heir to his older brother. He doesn't want her at all, thinking Theodore could have done SO much better. He may be ill but he's not afraid to threaten and bully Rose.
Lady Lavinia Cavendish joins the first tea
Bennett was the faithful maid to Elanor Clarke and she added so much to the story and she gets threatened too !! It's like all the women in this story need help !
It does come to a stunningly good ending with a great Epilogue. Thank you Netgalley and Madeline Martin for this books !
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