The English Wife

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Title: The English Wife
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: January 9, 2018
Genre:
Pages: 384
ISBN13: 978-1250056276

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Willig, comes this scandalous novel set in the Gilded Age, full of family secrets, affairs, and even murder.

Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life in New York: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?

Reader's Guide

Praise & Awards

• Book of the Month Club Selection
• Literary Guild Featured Alternate Selection
• Doubleday Book Club Featured Alternate Selection

“Willig keeps tensions high and questions flying through the reader’s mind as the story unfolds with “hold onto your seat” suspense and an ending no one expects. Willig is a master craftsman who transports her readers into another world with vivid descriptions and an inventive storyline.”
-RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

“With the historical panache of Kate Morton and the delicious tension of Lisa Jewell, THE ENGLISH WIFE provides the perfect excuse to stay up too late reading.”
-Shelf Awareness

“The pages fly fast and furious in this thoroughly engaging, suspenseful yarn.”
-Booklist

“Lauren Willig is skilled in historical fiction and draws us deeply into the world of Gilded Age New York, from its odd wool bathing suits to its obsession with appearances and social “station"... vividly drawn... perfectly paced.”
-New York Daily News

“Willig creates a story that is full of rich historical details about the Gilded Age in New York—the jewels, the luxurious fashions, the opulent homes, and the scandal that lurked behind the beautiful exteriors. The mystery is not easily solved, and readers will find themselves guessing until the very end.... A dark, romantic mystery full of twists and turns.”
-Kirkus Reviews

“[Willig] has a knack for creating sympathetic characters and fully fleshed settings, adding some juicy plot twists to this atmospheric period piece. Fans of historical mystery series such as those by Victoria Thompson or Lawrence H Levy will appreciate this standalone drama.”
-Library Journal

“Lauren Willig’s historical novels are so immersive, so note-perfect in their mastery of setting and voice, that I’m tempted to wonder if she has a time machine at her disposal. THE ENGLISH WIFE, with its deliciously evocative portrait of the splendours, sorrows and intrigues of Gilded Age high society, is her best book yet.”
-Jennifer Robson, USA Today and #1 Toronto Globe & Mail bestselling author of Goodnight from London

“Lauren Willig has made a name for herself writing the finest historical intrigue and The English Wife does not disappoint – it is her best yet! Written with keen detail and subtle nuance, The English Wife is a dark and scintillating tale of betrayal, secrets and a marriage gone wrong that will have readers on the edge of their seats until the final breathtaking twist.”
-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale

“The English Wife by Lauren Willig is a gorgeous gem of a novel. Part historical fiction, part mystery, and part dual love story, this book is full of engaging characters, flawless writing, and a twisty plot that will keep the reader guessing until the last page. Willig mesmerizes with clever dialog and unexpected plot reveals, promising another fantastic read for her many fans, and a perfect introduction to new readers. This will go on my keeper shelf along with my entire Lauren Willig collection!”
-Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

“The English Wife is an atmospheric, instantly absorbing page-turner. Lauren Willig delivers a richly detailed, expertly plotted novel that will instantly transport you back in time. This novel has it all―an intriguing mystery, a love affair for the ages and secrets worth dying for.”
-Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and Not A Sound 

“An elegant page turner that kept me guessing. A masterful story that transported me back in time. A great, great Gothic.”
-M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Library of Light and Shadow

“Lauren Willig absolutely delivers in this deliciously-paced, intriguing tale that is part mystery, part love story, and part family drama of the most emotionally-riveting kind. Brimming with evocative historical details and hauntingly good.”
-Susan Meissner, award-winning author of A Bridge Across the Ocean

“Full of intrigue and suspense, Willig weaves an intricate tapestry of romance and betrayal. Rich in period detail and a plot that keeps you guessing, The English Wife, is a wonderful read.”
-Alyson Richman, Internationally bestselling author of The Velvet Hours and The Lost Wife

“Full of Gilded Age glamour and Gothic suspense, The English Wife will haunt readers long after the story ends. Willig draws us in immediately – not just with an opulent setting and sensational gossip – but with a crime so visually stunning, I was left gasping for air by the end of chapter one. From London to old New York, readers will be mesmerized. Willig’s writing is so smart and her pacing so masterful that readers will be guessing until the very last page. The English Wifecombines the all insight of Edith Wharton with the tension and intrigue of Daphne du Maurier. It is Willig at her very best and most compelling.”
-Lynda Cohen Loigman, author of The Two-Family House

“The English Wife brings to life old world New York City and London with all the splendor of two of my favorite novels, The Age of Innocence and The Crimson Petal and the White. Mystery, murder, mistaken identity, romance―Lauren Willig weaves each strand into a page-turning tapestry.”
-Sally Koslow, author of The Widow Waltz and Another Side of Paradise

“No one captures the English better than Lauren Willig. The English Wife is like reading Downton Abbey. I loved every page."
-GreatThoughts.com