By: Serena Burdick
ISBN: 9780778333104
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 11/01/2022
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars ++ (ARC
What if you could write a new ending for yourself?
England, 1898. When Evelyn first married the famous novelist William Aubrey, she was dazzled by his brilliance. But their newlywed bliss is brief when William is gripped by writer’s block, and he becomes jealous of Evelyn’s writing talent. When he commits the ultimate betrayal—stealing a draft of her novel and passing it off as his own—Evelyn decides to write her way out of their unhappy marriage.
California, 2006. Abigail always wondered about her father, his identity forever lost when her mother unexpectedly died. Or so Abigail thought, until she stumbled upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey, leading Abigail on a journey to England in search for answers. There, she learns of Evelyn’s shocking disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve.
Rich in atmosphere and emotion, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey tells the story of literary secrets, a family curse and the lengths women will go to take charge of their future.
My Review
Serena Burdick's dazzling multigenerational tale is full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.
THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey is deft, lyrical, and supremely satisfying— a bittersweet tale of loss, destiny, and the strings of deep love that bind us together across the years.
Muli-layered, alternating with dual timelines and POV, each equally as compelling. I loved every minute of this book!
England, 1898. Evelyn marries the famous novelist William Aubrey. However, he has writer's block, and Evelyn was a writer. He steals her work and claims it as his own. This man is a monster. She is devastated and somewhat trapped being a woman in this era, but she has a revenge plan!
Would William rather be remembered as a murderer than be exposed as a fraudulent writer?
California, 2006. Abigail (Abby), lives in her grandparent's guesthouse, wandering through life to find her place. Her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey. She never knew her father, and her mom never told her. Years after her mother's death, she finds a photo and a message.
She is tenacious and decides to take off for England to seek answers to the past.
She shows up at Abbington Hall and meets the caretakers, Sally, and brother Thomas. They are not blood relatives of the Aubreys but are related by marriage. They invite her in, and Abby stays with them for an extended period while researching her past. I loved the three of them together! I also loved Lesley's character and his relationship with Evelyn.
Did William murder Evelyn? Were the house and the women cursed? Many of the women died. Abby had been conjuring ghosts her whole life, so maybe here inside these ancient whispering walls, they would finally tell her something.
Serena Burdick's twisty plot will keep you guessing even as her characters steal your heart.
I loved Evelyn! I usually like the past timelines better, but there was so much intrigue here. Still, I also found the present timeline with Abby fascinating as she searched desperately for her heritage and past.
The two timelines and tales intertwine beautifully and come together seamlessly.
Powerful and spellbinding, in this gorgeous ode to books, storytellers, and literary secrets, we see the power of women through generations who must take charge of their lives and future.
Well-developed characters, Burdick is a born storyteller, keeping the reader on the edge as she expertly unveils the truths and lies that drive this gripping, lyrical, and captivating tale!
You may be reminded of the movie/book The Wife by Meg Wolitzer, an author whose husband steals her work. Get this one on your list. Whether you enjoy historical, literary, or women's fiction, thrillers, suspense, mysteries, or family dramas, THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey has it all!
Thank you to #ParkRow and #NetGalley for an eARC to read, review, and enjoy. #Covercrush
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 1, 2022
My Rating 5 🌟 STARS
Praise
“In The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey Serena Burdick deftly entwines the lives of two fascinating women, 100 years apart. Part coming of age, part literary mystery, part family saga, this gorgeously written and emotionally rich novel is filled with deeply compelling characters, beautiful prose, and a mystery that kept me turning the pages. A haunting meditation on what it means to be a woman and an artist and ultimately what it means to find your place in the world—I devoured this book.”
—Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of Beautiful Little Fools
The author charms with lyrical prose and a well-sketched cast of supporting characters. Readers will be hooked."—Publishers Weekly
"A cleverly-crafted and beautifully written multi-layered mystery of family secrets, jealousy, passion and revenge. Seductive, unsettling and thoroughly absorbing, I stepped into the pages of Evelyn Aubrey's world and didn't want to leave. Serena Burdick, take a bow. Marvellous.”
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Serena Burdick is the USA Today, Toronto Star and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES. She is the author of the novel THE STOLEN BOOK OF EVELY AUBREY (November, 2022) FIND ME IN HAVANA, and the 2017 International Book Award Winner for Historical Fiction for her novel GIRL IN THE AFTERNOON. She studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence, holds a Bachelors of Arts from Brooklyn College in English literature and an Associates of Arts from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in theater. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. WEBSITE
