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The Household

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About this listen

This audiobook is narrated by the incredible Tuppence Middleton, and features an exclusive Q&A between Stacey Halls and Sophia Money-Coutts.

London, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside nearby, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life - but how badly do they want it?

Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her cold. Her stalker of ten years has been released from prison, and she knows it's only a matter of time before their nightmarish game resumes once more.

As the women's worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .

The Household is the new novel from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. Set against Charles Dickens' home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history, it is Stacey Halls' most ambitious and captivating novel yet.

©2024 Stacey Halls (P)2024 Bonnier Books UK
Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense Victorian England Exciting

Critic reviews

With warm and artful prose this is a story richly realised and sympathetically imagined, making THE HOUSEHOLD undoubtedly my favourite novel written by Stacey Halls so far, whose writing goes from strength to strength. I loved it (Susan Stokes-Chapman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Pandora)
This novel is the very definition of unputdownable. I loved every one of the women connected to Urania Cottage. Original, engrossing and so true to life. My favourite Stacey Halls novel yet (Louise Hare)
I devoured The Household by Stacey Halls. Meticulously researched and thoroughly entertaining, I was struck most of all by its hopefulness: about forgiveness, friendship, the choices we make and the opportunity for a second (or third) chance. This is undoubtedly Stacey Halls' best novel yet - I can't wait to see what she writes next (Elizabeth Macneal, bestselling author of The Doll Factory)
Stacey Halls' most ambitious and brilliant book so far. Complex and brilliantly-drawn characters and, at its heart, a message of friendship and hope. A triumph (Anna Mazzola)
I loved The Household. Moving expertly between perspectives and locations, it is full of heart, humaneness and menace. I enjoyed every second (Beth Underdown)
All stars
Most relevant
Love her historical fiction. But with this book, whilst there was lots of character development and immersement in victorian London, it seemed to lack purpose and a constant thread sufficient to hold my interest.

Meandering

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I loved the characters and the lives they led. There are so many modern day equivalents although keeping a place quiet would be impossible now I think!

Great Tale of Dickensian Life

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Good story based on fact with Charles Dickens helping to set up a house to help “ fallen women”

Interesting story

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Another great book! Stacey has enormous skill at creating her characters and giving them enormous depth. This ensures that right from the start you have favourites, people to root for, feel sympathy for and of course those you love to hate. I have loved all of Stacey's books and this was no different. I also enjoyed the chat/interview with Sophia at the end, opened up some more of the real family history.

Another fabulous read

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Loved the reader. The story was good if a little predictable sometimes. Characters well fleshed out. All felt a little rushed at the end though.

Interesting historical insights

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