âDownton Abbey meets Gangs of New YorkâŚa gem of a novel to be inhaled in one gulpâ (Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author) about a devoted maid whose secretive world is about to be ripped apart at the seamsâa lush and evocative debut set in 19th-century New York thatâs perfect for fans of Sarah Watersâs Fingersmith and Emma Donoghueâs Slammerkin.
By day, Mary Ballard is dutiful ladyâs maid to Charlotte Walden, a wealthy and accomplished belle of New York City high society. But Charlotte would never trust Mary again if she knew the truth about her devoted servantâs past.
On her nights off, Mary sheds her persona as prim and proper ladyâs maid to reveal her true selfâIrish exile Maire OâFarren. She finds release from her frustration in New Yorkâs gritty underworldâin the arms of a prostitute and as drinking companion to a decidedly motley crew consisting of members of a dangerous secret society.
Meanwhile, Charlotte has a secret of her ownâsheâs having an affair with a stable groom, unaware that her lover is actually Maryâs own brother. When the truth of both womenâs double lives begins to unravel, Mary is left to face the consequences. Forced to choose between loyalty to her brother and loyalty to Charlotte, between societyâs respect and true freedom, Mary finally learns that her fate lies in her hands alone.
A captivating historical fiction of 19th century upstairs/downstairs New York City, The Parting Glass examines sexuality, race, and social class in ways that feel startlingly familiar and timely. A perfectly paced, romantically charged âstory of the sumptuous world of the privileged and the precarious, difficult environs of the immigrant working poor is highlighted by vibrant characters and a well-paced plot, which will pull readers into the tangled taleâ (Publishers Weekly).