Why a Booktrail?
1904: ‘Something’s not right here. In the house. With the family.’
Mrs England
What you need to know before your trail
When newly graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple from a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there’s something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England.
Distant and withdrawn, Lilian shows little interest in her children or charming husband, and is far from the ‘angel of the house’ Ruby was expecting. As the warm, vivacious Charles welcomes Ruby into the family, a series of strange events forces her to question everything she thought she knew. Ostracised by the servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, Ruby must face her demons in order to prevent history from repeating itself. After all, there’s no such thing as the perfect family – and she should know.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
The work of the Norrland nannies and Yorkshire
Whilst the Yorkshire locations might be fictional, the main setting of Yorkshire with its wild landscape and old, crumbling buildings is typical of the region. The author has said that Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge was the inspiration behind the house in the novel.
Hardcastle House sounds fascinating and wild and there are several houses in Yorkshire where you can go and visit to imagine yourself visiting Mrs England. Brodsworth House and the others on the map give a good idea of what you can expect. The rest is up to your imagination.
Norrland Nannies
This is a prestigious college that produces the Royal approved Norland nannies. One such nanny works for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Trail Gallery
Booktrailer Review
This is one of the most magical and atmospheric novels I have had the pleasure of reading in some time.
The novel might be called Mrs England, and she is the enigmatic character of the house, but the story centres around Ruby May who works as Norland nanny. She decides not to move abroad with the family she works for and so finds employment with the MrsEngland of the title. Well, THAT turned out to be interesting….
The house is set on the desolate Yorkshire moors and it’s a deliciously gothic one. Isolated yet compelling but as for friendly? Well, the father of the house might be but that Mrs England – you want to watch her I thought. The staff are very Mrs Danvers type people. Good for the reader, but not so good for the character who comes into the house as an outsider …
Oh if walls could talk….well in this book secrets start to seep out pretty quickly and we get an insight into Mrs England, the family and most importantly the marriage. Don’t take your eyes off the nanny though….she has secrets of her own!
I had shivers down my neck and heard whispers in my ear as I read this. Very cinematic too although whenever the film is made ( fingers crossed) the book will always win for the sharp, melodic writing and pictures it forms in your mind as you read.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Mrs England
Destination/location: Yorkshire Author/guide: Stacey Halls Departure Time:1904
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