A humorous, charming series of novels set in 1880s London, taking the form of the diary entries of plucky, bookish Emma M. Lion

'I’ve arrived in London without incident. There are few triumphs in my recent life, but I count this as one. My existence of the last three years has been nothing but incident.'

The year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian's. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Details

ISBN13: 9781037208416
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 160
Edition:
Publication Date:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.6(H)x12.6(L)x1.6(W)140
Weight (gm): 140

Author Biography

Beth Brower is the author of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, The Q, The Beast of Ten, and the Imirillia Trilogy consisting of The Queen’s Gambit, The Ruby Prince, and The Wanderer’s Mark. She also writes the popular Substack ‘Beth Brower Scribbles Away’ https://bethbrower.substack.com/ and can be found on Instagram @BethBrower. She lives in Utah with her husband.

Reviews

The uniqueness makes it fresh and utterly charming. Emma is a sprightly, winning and witty protagonist who you root for from the off as she spars with Archibald and Matilde, the loathsome cousins she is forced to move in with. There are thrilling scrapes, escapades and mysteries to solve, but for all the fun and fizz there is a weight, too * BOOKSELLER *
I hoovered up these books in a matter of days. I am obsessed -- JENNIE GODFREY, author of The List of Suspicious Things
Satisfied my craving for a relatable heroine after enjoying the TV adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister * RED MAGAZINE *
Bridget Jones meets every classic novel you’ve ever loved ... With a feisty heroine navigating society on her own terms, this is like finding an unearthed Jane Austen book you never knew about * STYLIST *
Fresh, cheerful and fizzing with fun * DAILY MAIL *
Each new diary-day brings delights, grief, vengeance, odd social interactions - with a hot vicar, the shadowy neighbour, her vile cousin and outrageous friends * SAINSBURY'S MAGAZINE *
Loved the BBC’s The Other Bennet Sister? May we introduce Emma M Lion, a period heroine with gumption * GRAZIA *
Emma might share the sunny wonder of Anne Shirley, but her wit and modernity are pure Elizabeth Bennett ... Brower plots the books like a long-running television show ... Think Gilmore Girls in Victorian England * NEW YORK TIMES *
If Austen and Bronte had a baby with Bridget Jones, she'd be Emma M. Lion. Super charming, super moreish, super short — ~150 pages each — this series has garnered a mega following for a reason * MAMAMIA *
Written with the lightest of touches and keen wit * NEW ZEALAND LISTENER *
A delightfully witty and charming historical novel, this story sparkles with memorable characters and an irresistibly quirky heroine. Emma's sharp observations and self-deprecating journal entries make every page entertaining, while the eccentric residents of St Crispian's add warmth and whimsy. Fans of Sybil from The Correspondent will be thrilled to spend time in this wonderfully imagined world. A laugh-out-loud read with plenty of heart * WOMAN'S OWN *