Synopses & Reviews
A captivating historical novel which uncovers sensational new information about a scandalous court case that rocked Victorian England The Victorian gossipmongers called them The Petticoat Men. But to young Mattie Stacey, they are Freddie and Ernest, her gentlemen lodgers. It is Mattie who admires their sparkling gowns, makes their extravagant hats and laughs at their stories of attending society balls dressed up as the glamorous "Fanny" and "Stella." But one fateful night Fanny and Stella are arrested, and Mattie is dragged into a shocking court trial, described in newspapers all over England as "The Scandal of the Century." This richly atmospheric novel of Victorian London exposes a political secret lost to history until now, and is perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and Rose Tremain.
Review
"Ewing's strange and fascinating novel zooms in on one of the greatest scandals of the Victorian age and manages to shed new light on it . . . . Terrific." —Times
Review
"Ewing's enormously readable novel reconstructs this 19th-century cause célèbre in vivid detail. . . . This is a rich, warm-hearted novel which champions ordinary human decency against the corruption of the powerful . . . a moving and compelling narrative." —BBC History
About the Author
Barbara Ewing is an actress and the author of eight novels, one of which, A Dangerous Vine, was longlisted for the Orange Prize.