A beautifully realised romp through the stews of Eighteenth Century London with the pacing of a thriller. We accompany Sukey Maynard, a young black woman brought up in a restrictive, religious household as she is relocated to London and an unexpected new life as a prostitute in Covent Garden. Attempting to escape her fate, Sukey is drawn into a dark plot that tangles her back into brothel life and forces her to grow up fast. The characters are fantastic, the history is worn lightly and never intrudes into the plot in a way that trips up the flow of the narrative, but which situates the characters perfectly in their time and place. This was a terrific read.

December 1765
Young Sukey Maynard has stolen away from Mrs. Macauley’s house of ill repute in London’s Covent Garden. She comes across a badly beaten young man who she takes to Dr Sharp on Mincing Lane – two desperate souls who badly need help in an unsympathetic world. Dr Sharp helps the young man who proves to be Jonathan Strong. Sadly for Sukey, her escape from Mrs Macauley’s is short lived and she is taken back very unwillingly. Here, she knows her virginity will be auctioned off to the highest bidder – should she stay or try to run again? She accepts she has little choice as her status is low but also because of her skin tone. However, she has come to know this dark, dark underbelly of London, especially in the brothels, as they operate to their own set of rules and so she aims to set her own. Dare she be optimistic for a better future for herself?

This is a terrific novel, the storytelling is outstanding as Louise Hare makes me feel as if I’m there, so visual is the writing. It’s an absorbing read, richly atmospheric as Covent Garden and the surrounding areas spring to life. I admire the fact that the author shines a light on marginalised groups that history frequently overlooks. Included are not just the “fallen sisters“ but other groups of the poor whose freedom is not guaranteed and the cruelty that lies therein. It contrasts so strongly with the rich clients of Mrs. Macauley and others who run the brothels. Sukey is a good central character to focus the story around and I grow immensely fond of her. I love her resilience, her care for the likes of Jonathan as well as her pragmatism.

The novel really captures the times and deftly weaves with fiction. Jonathan Strong is real, as is Doctor Sharp whose brother Granville is a famous abolitionist who strikes an anti-slavery blow in a court case centred around Jonathan. The author also references Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies which unbelievably is also true, and is the directory of prostitutes with other information about them. I’ve always said truth is frequently stranger than fiction! The list in itself should tell you plenty about late Georgian attitudes.

What emerges is definitely harsh, it’s dark and gritty, undeniably authentic, there’s danger and cruelty with every human emotion from revenge to jealousy to love but it’s also full of heart via Sukey and other central characters. The novel twists and turns through Covent Garden to a good ending.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.

Will post to instagram nearer publication

This was such a great story and I loved how much attention was paird to the details of the era. Sukey was a great FMC and we follow her throughout the novel as she navigates the difficult life of a sex worker in 1700s London. The mystery and drama elements were well paced and I was totally gripped throughout!

I'd recommend this book to fans of the TV show Harlots! Having that visual in my mind really helped flesh out these characters and the settings too.

I have to give this one five stars because I couldn't put it down and I'm still thinking about it a week later.

I have loved all of Louise Hare's books and this is definitely no exception. "The House of Fallen Sisters" reminded me of the TV series Harlots, however it is much better written and has a feisty mulatto heroine. The book is set in 18th century London, at a time when it was difficult to move up through Society, and opportunities for young single women were extremely limited. One of the surprising things for me was the acceptance of a whore's daughter to become a whore herself, thus highlighting the lack of opportunities.

This is such a well written book that it easily draws the reader in to the seedy world of Covent Garden, where every day is a struggle for many residents. The characters are wonderful, and evolve throughout the story.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The House of Fallen Sisters is the latest book by Louise Hare due out early 2026 and it is my favourite of hers so far. Set in 18th Century Covent Garden, London, this explores the true undercurrent of the great city that runs beneath the respectable and noble appearances. Brothel houses, abject poverty and terrible conditions are everyday for so many, and the character of Sukey is fresh to this scene and has to learn her true friends from her enemies.
Louise Hare is masterful in her writing, I felt fully immersed in the time and invested in the characters, I could easily see this making a fantastic TV costume drama. I was cheering for the wins, and absolutely devastated at the heartbreaking moments. This is a truly wonderful book.

I am a big fan of a novel set during Georgian times, and a story written about life in the heart of London ticked all the boxes for me with its vivid descriptions and authentic gritty historical atmosphere. Louise Hare had obviously done her research, as I felt like I was actually there on every page. The images she conjured would work really well on screen, and I that hope someone snaps it up for the small or big screen.
I love strong female lead characters, and we have them in abundance in The House of Fallen Sisters. The added dimension of Sukey being a mixed-race young woman led to an excellent exploration of what life was like in London for black people, many of whom were previously enslaved people. This often forgotten part of the history of our capital city needs to be told, and Hare does it in a way that hits home without too many historic facts hampering the plot. A really good job.
I have read This Lovely City, and Miss Aldridge Regrets, and this new book shows the versatility of the author and her ability to write about different eras. She did a great job here and I highly recommend it for book clubs and those who are looking for an easy read that has impact and will get them thinking. Five stars from me for sure.

This was a very sad story in many ways but was uplifting when a solution was found.. A very varied cast of characters and a well depicted time in history. A great read and relief that life has improved.

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