THE PERFECT FOLLOW-UP TO CHILBURY: Jennifer Ryan has managed to pack all the charm, heart, and emotion that made Chilbury so beloved into a story that feels fresh.

MRS. BRAITHWAITE IS A PERFECT CHARACTER: She’s witty and engaging, reveals her secrets, and layers the reader with care and a bit of suspense. She’s not unlikable in her bristles and troubles, but real and resonant. As NPR.org said, Mrs. Braithwaithe is “bombastic, crashing, presumptuous and therefore [the] unlikeliest of spies,” but she “tells us there is redemption and forgiveness in the world, that people do learn from their mistakes and make amends. That mothers will stop at nothing, and that is why we both hate them and love them.”

RANDOM HOUSE READER’S CIRCLE SELECTION WITH BOOK CLUB GUIDE INSIDE: Book clubs will love the mystery storyline alongside the historical setting and extremely relatable mother-daughter relationship. Author Q&A and discussion questions included.

Jennifer Ryan is the author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and lives in the Washington, DC, area with her husband and two children. Originally from Kent and then London, she was previously a nonfiction book editor.

Author Residence: Falls Church, VA

Author Hometown: Kent, UK

“[A] quick and delightful mystery.”—The New York Times Book Review

“A crisp and energetic book…with a tight plot [that will] keep a reader gladly bouncing along.”—NPR

“Richly detailed…This tale swept me away!”—First for Women

“With its eccentric, believable characters and plot of home front intrigue, this delightful drama will appeal to fans of Martha Hall Kelly.”—Publishers Weekly