The Foundling: The gripping Sunday Times bestselling historical novel, from the winner of the Women's Prize Futures award

Description

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars Two women, bound by a child, and a secret that will change everything . . . London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate daughter Clara at London's Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the child she has never known. Dreading the worst, that Clara has died in care, Bess is astonished to be told she has already claimed her. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl - and why. Less than a mile from Bess's lodgings in the city, in a quiet, gloomy townhouse on the edge of London, a young widow has not left the house in a decade. When her close friend - an ambitious young doctor at the Foundling Hospital - persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart. From the bestselling author of The Familiars comes this captivating story of mothers and daughters, class and power, and love against the greatest of odds . . . 'The new Hilary Mantel' - Cosmopolitan Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars' - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies 'A gripping and moving read' - Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido 'Fantastic storytelling that grabbed me from the off' - Good Housekeeping

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. The Foundling is her second novel.

If you loved The Familiars, then you won't be disappointed by The Foundling. A gripping and moving read * Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido * Pacy, highly atmospheric and tantalisingly gripping from the very first page. The strands of tense and devastating maternal conflict are acutely observed and beautifully sustained throughout the book. Stacey really has created warm and memorable characters, drawn with great sympathy and understanding, who deliver a taut and riveting read. With rich storytelling and a compelling narrative, The Foundling is subtle, satisfying and intensely moving; a fabulous example of great historical fiction * Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh * The Foundling dragged me along in its narrative wake. Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars * Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies * It was a privilege to read The Foundling. I really couldn't stop turning the pages as Stacey's beautiful writing drew a compelling tale of love and hope from the vivid streets of Georgian London * Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose * A masterpiece of storytelling - a perfect, captivating mystery that expands to ask big questions about love and motherhood, all while maintaining the breathless pace of a thriller, and the stunningly vivid and well-researched detail of the very best historical fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough * Katie Lowe, author of The Furies * I was completely swept up in this novel. It's crammed with vivid and engaging characters, there's a beautiful sense of place, revealing hidden aspects of Georgian life. And the central mystery of a missing child gradually plays out as a tenderly observed study of grief and loss, while offering the possibility that love will indeed find a way * Amanda Mason, author of The Wayward Girls * Beautiful and captivating * Candis * If you enjoy Mindhunter levels of suspense, you'll love it * Cosmopolitan.co.uk * The Foundling is a ripping yarn with real heart and depth * Sun Business Post * Stacey Halls is back with another mesmerising story * Yahoo Lifestyle * Teeming with atmosphere this is a gripping historical yarn * Sunday Mirror and Sunday People * The Familiars the bestselling debut of 2019. And her follow-up does not disappoint - * Stella Magazine * Fine examples of historical fiction are The Foundling by Stacey Halls . . . It's a moving, atmospheric chiller * The Independent * The young mother's search for answers to this mystery provides the focus for Halls's tour through 18th-century London, which covers territory familiar from other novels but has its own energy * The Sunday Times * Brimming with atmosphere, this fabulous period drama will tug at your heartstrings * Best Magazine * You'll be carried along by the period details * Woman's Own * This second novel from Stacey Halls explores secrets and the meaning of motherhood * Hello! * Halls paints a vivid picture of life in the 1740s . . . descriptions are so vivid and dialogue so fluid * Radio Times * Stacey Halls vividly captures the sights, sounds and smalls of Georgian London, the language and the lifestyle, the customs and quirks, and the sense of time and place is a breathtaking achievement. This is a book that was clearly extensively researched, but the writer wears her learning lightly * Sunday Express * The squalor, grim and drudgery of Bess's world is brought to life in this easy reading story * Newsletter Belfast * Enjoyable and atmospheric novel * The Times * Author Stacey Halls paints a wonderfully evocative picture of Georgian London . . . this engaging story drew me in from the first chapter and I loved this unique exploration of motherhood . . . This is easily a book to read in one sitting- gripping and atmospheric, this is historical drama at its very best * My Weekly * With a gripping sense of 18th century time and place, vividly portrayed characters who stay in the mind long after the last page has turned, and a clever, fast-moving, dual narrative which allows readers to understand both sides of a multi-layered mystery, this is captivating, compelling storytelling * Lancashire Post * The Foundling is a ripping yarn with real heart and depth * Sunday Business Post * Irresistible * HEAT Magazine * This is quite simply a joy to read. The attention to detail is perfect and the story is one that will wrap you up as you read. Heart tuggingly emotional * Woman's Way * A thought provoking and intelligent piece of writing that poses some big questions about motherhood, love and loss * 17 Degrees Magazine * Fast-paced- elegantly written novel that vividly conveys the sights, sounds and smells of Georgian London * Daily Mirror * Rich in research and resonant in detail, Stacey Halls writes the sort of historical fiction that effortlessly brings the past to life . . . her storytelling pulls you in from the start * Living Magazine * A beguiling story of motherhood and emotions that brings Georgian London to life * Choice Magazine * A truly spellbinding debut * Good Housekeeping on The Familiars * An arresting piece of fiction * The Times on The Familiars * Assured and alluring * Jessie Burton on The Familiars * A compelling story of love lost and found in the vividly described setting of Georgian London * Daily Mail * Teeming with atmosphere, this emotional yarn will keep you hooked * Best *