Theatre of Marvels

Lianne Dillsworth

$22.99

Paperback

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English

Hutchinson
30 May 2023

Fiction & Literature; Crime & Mystery; Historical romance; Historical fiction

An immersive historical debut about mixed-race actress in Victorian London who is searching for a missing performer - at any cost. For fans of Stacey Halls and Susan Stokes-Chapman

'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act' Woman & Home

Zillah's star turn as the Great Amazonia has taken her from the slums of St Giles to headline billing at Crillick's Variety Show on Drury Lane. She's proud of her Black and British roots but if audiences discover she is fooling them each night, her existence will be shattered.

When a fellow stage act goes missing, Zillah determines to save her - for she knows better than anyone the dangers that hide within gaslit streets of London.

Her pursuit of the truth takes her through the underbelly of the city to the parlours of Mayfair - and sees her caught in web of lies, and between two powerful male admirers.

Everyone is playing a part and everyone has secrets they'll protect at any cost. Will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate?

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'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London' LOUISE HARE, author of This Lovely City

'Zillah is a memorable heroine' Sunday Times

'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act' Woman & Home

'A startling, original and utterly compelling novel which subtly navigates the core issues of race, gender and class' MARY CHAMBERLAIN, author of The Dressmaker of Dachau

'Thrilling, eye-opening and absorbing' LIZZIE POOK, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter

'A thought-provoking, atmospheric debut' Daily Express

'Fresh, original and full of atmosphere - a compelling story with a heroine I'll remember for a long time' FRANCES QUINN, author of The Smallest Man

'A story that shines a spotlight into the shadows of the 19th century, while also exploring very relevant themes of identity. So fantastic to read a novel that centres POC in the Victorian era. Loved it!' SAARA EL-ARIFI, author of The Final Strife

'Loved Lianne Dillsworth's Theatre of Marvels. A gripping story about identity and belonging with a strong sense of place. Can't wait for everybody to meet Zillah who is such strong and nuanced heroine.' LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of Nobody But Us

By: Lianne Dillsworth
Imprint: Hutchinson
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 197mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 302g
ISBN: 9781529158595
ISBN 10: 1529158591
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 30 May 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Lianne Dillsworth has MAs in Creative Writing and Victorian Studies and won a place on the London Library Emerging Writers Programme. She was first runner up in the 2020 SI Leeds Literary Prize for Black and Asian Women Writers in the UK. Lianne lives in London where she works on growing inclusion within the Civil Service. Theatre of Marvels is her debut novel.