‘The sharp-witted, courageous heroine is the perfect narrator of the atmospheric, enthralling story that Hare has woven ? a fantastic read’ Harriet Tyce, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘A beautifully drawn cast of characters and a heroine you care about from the very first page. I had to stop myself racing through it because I didn’t want it to end’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man

****

December, 1765. In the early hours of the morning, Sukey Maynard flees her home – a brothel in Covent Garden. Her maidenhood is about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and she is too frightened to stay. But when she is captured and returned to the house of fallen sisters, she has a choice to make – should she stay, or should she run again?

As Sukey accepts her fate, she begins to learn how to navigate this strange new life of hers, and soon realises that there are those who wish her and her sisters harm. But this world that operates in the shadows has its own set of rules, and if Sukey is to survive then she must learn to play the game ?

The exquisite new novel from bestselling author Louise Hare based in 18th century London paints a vivid picture of London’s underbelly and shows how, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.

* * * *

Praise for Louise Hare

‘The best of historical fiction gives voice to those excluded from the history books, and Hare does exactly this with great skill and exceptional storytelling. I absolutely loved it!’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us

‘A shocking, visceral tale that’s also uplifting and empowering. Louise Hare has given voice to the disenfranchised ? Like nothing I’ve read before. I loved it’ Eleni Kyriacou, author of The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou

‘A thought-provoking and compelling tale about freedom, identity and agency’ Nicola Gill, author of Swimming for Beginners

‘Poignant and authentic ? it’s [Hare’s] steady, calm prose and the animating authenticity of her material that make it so hard to resist’ Observer

‘Hopeful and inspiring’ Abi Daré

‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love

‘An engrossing read’ Guardian

‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer

* * *

London, 1936

Lena Aldridge is wondering if life has passed her by. The dazzling theatre career she hoped for hasn’t worked out. Instead, she’s stuck singing in a sticky-floored basement club in Soho and her married lover has just left her. She has nothing to look forward to until a stranger offers her the chance of a lifetime: a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary bound for New York.

After a murder at the club, the timing couldn’t be better and Lena jumps at the chance to escape England. Until death follows her onto the ship and she realises that her greatest performance has already begun.

Because someone is making manoeuvres behind the scenes, and there’s only one thing on their mind?

MURDER

Miss Aldridge Regrets is the exquisite new novel from Louise Hare. A brilliant murder mystery, it also explores class, race and pre-WWII politics, and will leave readers reeling from the beauty and power of it.

* * *

WHAT AUTHORS ARE SAYING ABOUT MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS:

‘A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through’ Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You

‘Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won’t forget. I loved it’ Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man

‘A sublimely told murder mystery which oozes class in every sense. Fully deserves the Christie comparisons’ Trevor Wood, The Man on the Street

‘Clever, evocative and immersive. Smart plotting and a compelling heroine will keep you turning the pages at speed’ Adele Parks, Platinum

‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love

‘A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through’ Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You

‘An engrossing read’ Guardian

‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer

* * *

London, 1936

Lena Aldridge is wondering if life has passed her by. The dazzling theatre career she hoped for hasn’t worked out. Instead, she’s stuck singing in a sticky-floored basement club in Soho and her married lover has just left her. She has nothing to look forward to until a stranger offers her the chance of a lifetime: a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary bound for New York.

After a murder at the club, the timing couldn’t be better and Lena jumps at the chance to escape England. Until death follows her onto the ship and she realises that her greatest performance has already begun.

Because someone is making manoeuvres behind the scenes, and there’s only one thing on their mind?

MURDER

Miss Aldridge Regrets is the exquisite new novel from Louise Hare. A brilliant murder mystery, it also explores class, race and pre-WWII politics, and will leave readers reeling from the beauty and power of it.

* * *

WHAT AUTHORS ARE SAYING ABOUT MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS:

‘Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won’t forget. I loved it’ Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man

‘A sublimely told murder mystery which oozes class in every sense. Fully deserves the Christie comparisons’ Trevor Wood, The Man on the Street

Clever, evocative and immersive. Smart plotting and a compelling heroine will keep you turning the pages at speed’ Adele Parks, Platinum

Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award

Indie Book of the Month for March, selected by the Booksellers Association

One of OBSERVER’S 10 best debut novelists of 2020 / WOMAN & HOME Best of 2020 / EVENING STANDARD Best books of 2020 / MAIL ON SUNDAY 2020 Highlights / I Best of 2020

* * * *

‘Full of life and love . . . it made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoner’s shelf’ Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars

‘The writing is wonderful; London’s energy runs right through it; the characters leap off the page. I was truly sad to leave them behind’ Adam Kay, Observer

‘Convincing and involving’ Sunday Times

‘Fans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy won’t want to miss Louise Hare’s enthralling debut novel’ Elle

* * *
The drinks are flowing.
The music is playing.
But the party can’t last.

With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered England’s call for help. Fresh off the Empire Windrush, he’s taken a tiny room in south London lodgings, and has fallen in love with the girl next door. Lawrie has poured his heart into his new home – and it’s alive with possibility. Until, one morning, he makes a terrible discovery.

As the local community rallies, fingers of blame are pointed at those who had recently been welcomed with open arms. And, before long, the newest arrivals become the prime suspects in a tragedy which threatens to tear the city apart.

Atmospheric, poignant and compelling, Louise Hare’s debut shows that new arrivals have always been the prime suspects. But, also, that there is always hope.
* * *

MORE PRAISE FOR THIS LOVELY CITY:

‘I loved, loved, loved it’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Act of Love

‘Full to the brim with such complete joys and heart-aching tragedies . . . you can feel the warmth and colour emanating from the pages’ Magic Radio Book Club