The Secret Book Society

A Novel

De: Madeline Martin

Narrado por: Saskia Maarleveld

A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.

You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…

London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.

Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.

As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.

©2025 Madeline Martin (P)2025 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

A must read!

One of the best historical fiction books I’ve ever read! I listened to it in one day!! Definitely recommend!!

A fabulous read - not to miss!

I read many of Madeline Martins books. I’ve loved them all, but this one is exceptional. Also, the narrator Saskia.M is excellent. The author has a superb way of grasping the emotional state and feelings of her characters. Bravo!

The accurate portrayal of what women endured during those gilded ages and their mistreatment

I liked it all, the details, the descriptions, the emotions, the subtlety and women helping women instead of going against one’s own gender

A tale of the power of friendship

A story that made me shake my head in disbelief and cheer the courage, strength and resilience of women oppressed by social standing and societal norms. I could not stop listening. Loved it.

Story of Courage.

Fantastic read. Story of the importance of Women supporting each other. Informative of lifestyle during the time period.

I love the women supporting women theme

The story was very interesting as it shared commonalities among the women regardless of background or age

An amazing story of women helping women and declaring their place in society!

The story of these brave fictional characters were likely far too true in during the era. The content helps to remind readers of previous sacrifice the women before us made to help drive a brighter future. They worked together and support each other endlessly. A lesson and example we can strive to drive our actions to as we navigate

Don’t usually like this type of story, but LOVED this book

Loved the characters, the storyline, the hope and the true depiction of women’s strength and resilience.

Informative

I definitely learned so much about women's plight in the late 1800's The story could be sad & depressing at times but I needed to understand the extent of the descrimination, the lack of women's rights and often times the cruelety the women during that era were forced to endure.

Madeline Martin, the best one yet

Let me start this review a little bit differently than I would most, everybody needs a Lady Duxbury in their life. Listen to the book all the way through, trust me you'll get it. Madeline Martin did such an outstanding job and creating characters that are of the Victorian age, but also relatable to someone today. As I got further and further into the book I was so much more invested in each of the characters and it did what the great books do, it made me happy, it made me angry, and around and around I went. I cannot recommend this enough, Madeline Martin really outdid herself! The narration was outstanding! Everybody knows that listens to audiobooks, the narration is just as important as the quality of the book itself and the narrator does not disappoint. She made me really dislike the villains just the sound of their voice and at the same time love listening to the heroines of the book. This writer narrator combination is truly magical.