Mrs England by Stacey Halls

A enthralling portrait of an Edwardian marriage, set against the atmospheric landscape of West Yorkshire.

Fiction | Published by Manilla Press (Bonnier Books)

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West Yorkshire, 1904.

When newly graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple from a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England. Ostracised by the servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, Ruby is forced to confront her own demons in order to prevent history from repeating itself. After all, there's no such thing as the perfect family - and she should know.

Simmering with slow-burning menace, Mrs England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, weaving an enthralling story of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception. Set against the atmospheric landscape of West Yorkshire, Stacey Halls' third novel proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our times.


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Reviews and awards

Utterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller. ― Daily Mail

Halls shows genuine skill in building the sense of menace within the England household and in the unfolding of its secrets. ― Sunday Times

Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric. ― Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters


About the author

Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Rossendale, Lancashire. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has written for publications including the Guardian, Stylist, Psychologies, the Independent, the Sun and Fabulous. Her first book, The Familiars, was the bestselling debut hardback novel of 2019, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards' Debut Book of the Year.

Stacey Halls

Stacey Halls