Other Side of Mrs Wood

Lucy Barker was the runner-up for the Curtis Brown First Novel Prize with an early draft of The Other Side of Mrs Wood. She holds an MA in Victorian Studies from Birkbeck, University of London, and has a passion for uncovering the real lives of women from this period. Always a dreamer, Lucy has written stories her whole life and is a Curtis Brown Creative and Novelry alumnus. She lives in Bath with her family.

‘I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight’ Marian Keyes‘Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!’ Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting‘There’s much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut’ Daily Mail‘A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz’ Good Housekeeping'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian séance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood’s journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas‘Wonderfully entertaining’ Harper’s Bazaar‘Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut’ Red Magazine‘Engaging and wonderfully original’ Katie Fforde‘Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping’ Reader’s Digest‘Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended’ Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels‘A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel’ Lucy Diamond‘Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman‘Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read’ Louise Dean‘Storytelling at its finest’ Stylist