The Golden Hour

by Jacquie Bloese

'What a sumptuous, evocative triumph of a novel!' Jenny Ashcroft At the golden hour, hidden truths and desires come to light . . . In the genteel squares of late-Victorian Brighton, Ellen and Reynold Harper - twins, companions, colleagues - ply their trade as portrait photographers. But at the golden hour, the models arrive to pose for the lucrative - and illicit - photographs that really keep the Harpers' business afloat. This is the other, shadowy world of the a world of erotic tableaux, boundary-crossing music hall performers, and the sinister figure of the local gangster, the Croc. When Ellen is drawn into the orbit of unhappy newly-wed Clementine, she finds herself torn between loyalty to her brother, her dangerous attraction to new model, Lily, and her burgeoning friendship with Clem. And as the two worlds of Brighton collide, the three women discover that there is only a knife edge between the promise of freedom, and the threat of ruin . . . Atmospheric, sensual and powerfully moving, The Golden Hour is a spellbinding portrait of three women determined to find their freedom - perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, The Doll Factory and The Essex Serpent.Praise for The Golden 'A divine and sumptuous portrait of Victorian Brighton, written in gloriously seductive prose, I was enthralled' Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House'A glorious and sumptuous feast for the senses and it drew me in from the start, wanting to find out more about these women's stories and their struggles for freedom and change. It's an absolute joy. I couldn't put it down' Rosanna Ley, author of The Orange Grove'A captivating panorama of late-Victorian Brighton... Beautifully atmospheric' Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife'I was hooked from the very beginning... The characters and the setting were all portrayed with such vivid colour and conviction' Suzanne Goldring, author of My Name is Eva'Luminous... Perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry' Sean Lusk, author of The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley

Genres: Historical Fiction

338 pages, ebook

Published February 22, 2024

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen and Reynold Harper are twins, they live in Brighton, Reynold is a portrait photographer and he also takes erotic photographs that are sold under the counter in selected bookshops or by mail. Ellen finds everyday girls, factory workers and seamstresses to be his models, at the golden hour and after his respectable customers leave. Ellen thinks she's helping them, earn easy money and doesn’t consider what she’s doing is wrong.

Lily March works as a laundress, with her mother and sister and at home she tries to keep away from her sleazy uncle who likes to corner her and Lily’s worried she won’t be able to dodge his advances for much longer and she desperately wants to leave.

Clementine Brouwer is American, to save her family from financial ruin she marries Herbert Williams, he wants an heir and it’s Clem’s duty to provide him with one and she detests him. Ellen, Lily and Clementine all meet, Ellen is preoccupied by her growing attraction to Lily and her new friendship with Clementine. Ellen has never considered the consequences and if the identity of the girls being photographed is uncovered, she discovers it can be used as blackmail against the women, they feel ashamed and it’s illegal.

I received a copy of The Golden Hour by Jacquie Bloese from Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The author has chosen to write story about the flourishing trade of erotic photographs, it was a lucrative business during the late 1890 and during The Great War.

What you discover from reading the narrative, is young women and girls were desperate to escape poverty and you can understand why they became models. I read Ms Bloese’s previous book, The French House which I enjoyed, but her latest novel wasn’t what I was expecting, it's about the exploitation of women and the early days of pornography.

The parts of the narrative I found interesting was about the work of The National Vigilance Association who tried to stop young girls and women being taken advantage of, many were suffragettes and they went to theatres where women worked as music hall and tableaux dancers and three stars from me.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Hour is set in the late 19th century. Twins Ellen and Reynold are portrait photographers in Brighton but during the golden hour of the title they dabbling in mild pornographic photography which they sell via a P.O. box for healthy amounts of money. Ellen is frustrated that as a woman of the time she is always her brother's apprentice and procuress of models despite arguably taking better photographs. After a chance meeting with Clem - a rich American woman in an unhappy marriage of convenience - she leaves her unhealthy relationship with her brother and becomes Clem's companion. Ellen discovers she has feelings for women especially Lily one of the girls she procured for her brother's special photos. She then becomes involved with Clem her employer. The book deals with the inequalities of the time between the sexes. The total power men had over women and the exploration of same sex relationships between women at that time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Golden Hour. The characters were beautifully written. Definitely a book I'm happy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lilli Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Golden Hour’ is an engaging and informative read that introduced me to a cast of intriguing characters whose lives were caught up in the elicit trade in erotic photographs. I would recommend this novel because not only is it well written but certainly leads one to ponder the other worlds that exist around us past and present.

[Sara James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacquie Bloese's eye for detail brings to life late-Victorian Brighton, portraying a society filled with contradictions: beauty, decadence and a latent seediness that lies down the alleyways of this tawdry seaside town. Through the eyes of her characters, Bloese portrays this mannered society brilliantly: the suffocating values, the stifling rules and more importantly the hypocrisy of the Victorians. As with the characters in The French House, I found myself quickly immersed in Ellen's life and her plight to find herself in a strict Victorian world where just about everything is prohibited. Bloese's ability to draw you into an historical setting is outstanding. She writes beautifully and her characters are so vivid I even found myself falling for Harry Smart (unforgettable) and wanting to rage fury at Clem's husband whose Victorian values crush the free spirits of the women around him. Bloese is not afraid to take you to the shadow side of life, or the dark side of the human spirit, which makes the highs even more satisfying and certainly keeps you turning the pages. I loved her first novel and this one is as good, if not better. I highly recommend.

[Nicholas Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this book. It deals with a subject that I knew nothing about -- the 'golden hour' when otherwise reputable Victorian photographers would turn to lucrative erotic photography to make more money. Of course, there are repercussions, not just from the law and morality campaign groups, but the business has an emotional effect on the people involved, the women who pose, the women who convince them to do it, and those who buy and use the pictures. In this case, the repercussions are truly tragic. The Brighton seaside setting is so well drawn, as is the main character Ellen. Jacquie Bloese's novel is well researched but the research never weighs the story down. And the writing . . .beautiful from the first sentence in the prologue!

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling plot, a cast of well developed and intriguing characters, a well researched historical background. A story of relationships, of women, and of the beginning of porno photographies.
Well done, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Ian Bloese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started I found it difficult to put the book down. Set in Brighton in the 19th century it enters the early world of photography with erotic photos being taken and sold in London. Three main female characters are from three different classes of society. The ending was unexpected.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
A story of women from different backgrounds and class navigating the systems of Victorian society.
Perfectly sentimental, feisty and hopeful, a book different to anything I’ve read recently.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm, soft, even, light that is highly sought after by photographers for its dramatic and beautiful effects. During the golden hour, the sun's rays travel further through the atmosphere, scattering blue light and leaving behind a golden hue. This light is less harsh than midday sunlight.It is aka the magic hour.

Brighton’s first photographic studio opened on Monday, 8th November 1841, at 57 Marine Parade, a large house situated on Brighton’s eastern seafront by William Constable (5 April 1783 - 22 December 1861), an inventor and engineer.Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre, a French theatrical designer and showman had perfected the technique of fixing an image on a silver-coated copper plate in the late 1830s and the process had been announced to the world in Paris in August 1839.During his trips to America, William observed the work of early American daguerreotypists and saw the commercial potential of producing and selling photographic portraits. When he returned to England, he acquired a licence to open his independent photographic portrait studio from businessman Richard Beard. Among William's clientele included nobility and royalty and seasonal visitors to Brighton.

A tableau vivant (living picture), is a static scene containing one or more actors or models. They are stationary and silent, usually in costume, carefully posed, with props and/or scenery, and may be theatrically illuminated. It thus combines aspects of theatre and the visual arts.In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was also a type of tableau used in the professional theatre, taking advantage of the extra latitude the law allowed for the display of nudity so long as the stars did not move. Tableaux featured poses plastiques ('flexible poses') by virtually nude models, providing a form of erotic entertainment, both on stage and in print.

The National Vigilance Association (NVA) was a British society established in 1885. Its goal was to combat prostitution.It has been described as England's main social purity organisation.It helped and hindered.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is as atmospheric as its title. It really drew me into the shadowy world of illicit photography in late-Victorian Brighton and made me feel I was walking those streets with my own camera and watching the images develop before my eyes. Ellen is a fascinating character. I loved her relationship with her twin brother, the photographer Reynold, her longing for the girl Lily, who she draws into their studio, and her subsequent journey towards figuring out who she is and who she really loves. The story is an unusual one. When she and her brother fall on hard times, Ellen takes up a position as governess to the young ward of an unhappy newlywed, Clem, who's been shipped over from America and married off to a boar of a man she can't stand. A frisson develops in Ellen and Clem's friendship and grows into something more, but just as Ellen begins to think she's found happiness, the story takes some surprising turns and she comes to learn who she can really trust. This is a compelling tale of love, friendship and identity, set in a era I knew very little about - and now feel deeply familiar with. Masterfully crafted and beautifully written, the narrative draws on the unique social strata of the time and does what the best historical fiction can do: immerses you in its world and delivers a romping and moving story to boot. I don't think I'll be able to walk through Brighton again without the characters of this book and the shadows of this bygone era haunting me. I thoroughly recommend!

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite its elegant facade the seaside resort of Brighton has its seedier side and in the dark and gloomy back room of a respectable portrait studio photographs are being taken of a rather more risqué nature. The Victorian penchant for erotic photographs comes to life as we follow the fortunes of twins Ellen and Reynold Harper who, like the working girls they photograph, do what they must in order to survive poverty and hardship. Ellen’s association both with the wealthy Clementine Brouwer and the poverty stricken Lily March could not be more different and yet this trio of women will take you by the hand into the underbelly of Victorian England.

Beautifully written with vivid descriptions not just about the growing demand for pornography but also of the hypocrisy and double standards of Victorian gentlemen whose clandestine purchases of increasingly explicit photographs kept this trade alive. The story has its dark moments which bring the brooding alleyways and seedy salons to life in such a vivid way that I often felt like a voyeur brushing away the cigar smoke and quietly observing as the scenes unfolded. Ellen, Clementine and Lily each have a powerful story to tell and their voices lends credence as we observe the constraints on women of all social classes, rich or poor they were all the mercy of unscrupulous men. It’s a story of intimate female relationships, of a series of wrongdoings being made right and of a desperately sad tragedy which seemed to take on its own inevitable momentum.

The Secret Photographs, from its exquisite book cover, to the strength of its narrative, there is never a moment when the story doesn’t draw you into a dark and dangerous world where female friendships were forged and strengthened by what they had each endured.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

In the genteel squares of late-Victorian Brighton, Ellen and Reynold Harper - twins, companions, colleagues - ply their trade as portrait photographers. But at the golden hour, the models arrive to pose for the lucrative - and illicit - photographs that really keep the Harpers' business afloat. This is the other, shadowy world of the world of erotic tableaux, boundary-crossing music hall performers, and a sinister figure of local gangster, the Croc. While Ellen is drawn into the orbit of unhappy newly-wed Clementine, she finds herself torn between loyalty to her brother, her dangerous attraction to new model, Lily, and her burgeoning friendship with Clem.

This story centres around twins Ellen and Reynold Harper who are portrait photographers who through circumstance, find themselves producing porn. We are taken into an illicit world in late-Victorian Brighton, where nearly everything is prohibited. The characters are well-developed. Ellen and Reynold have a great relationship. But then they fall on hard times. Ellen takes a position as Governess. Ellen and Clem - her employer - quickly form a relationship. But they live in a world of
prejudice. This is a compelling love story.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Hodder&Stoughton and the author #JacquieBloese for my ARC of #TheGoldenHour in exchange for an honest review.

[Joan Udell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Hour is the newest novel from Brighton author Jacquie Bloese (The French House - now available in Canada!). The artful cover image is the first clue that all is not what it seems.

A triumph of storytelling, the pilot is brilliant and it kept me intrigued from start to finish. The characters led me through a rainbow of emotions; anxiety, hatred, desperation, love, friendship and sympathy. I found it easy to become attached to the protagonist, Ellen. She, like the beaches and piers in Brighton, is buffeted by waves and storms that make her choices difficult and her alliances uneasy. But she is a survivor and is strong enough to take what’s coming to her.

Erotic photography was not unique to Brighton. Though it happened all over the world, this story nails down the details as they would have occurred in this seaside city in a time when men held almost all of the power. The well described technical aspects, which include lighting, staging and developing, add gravitas to the tale. The author does not shy away from prurient descriptions. While the story takes place in Victorian times it is not, to be sure, Victorian in spirit. The Golden Hour is the perfect title for this exciting novel.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare indeed that I start a new book, especially one by an author unknown to me, and feel really confident that I will love it, but that's what happened for me within two pages (comprising the prologue) of The Secret Photographs. I could only hope that the splendour and richness of the prose would continue throughout the rest of the book and I was not at all disappointed. This is a very special book indeed.

Set in Brighton in 1895, this is the story of Ellen Harper and her twin brother, Reynald who is striving to be a respectable photographer with Ellen as his able assistant. But there's a darker side to their business and when the golden hour comes their enterprise takes on a clandestine air as the siblings take erotic photos of women to make extra, much-needed, money. Before I started reading, I wasn't sure whether I was going to find Ellen a sympathetic character and how dark the story would be, but I liked her and the way her character developed throughout. It's a bid for respectability and the meeting of Ellen's world with that of Clementine, a wealthy and newly married woman, that makes Ellen realise what is really possible and what she's capable of achieving, but there's always a sense that implosion of Ellen's ordered life is just around the corner.

If the books of Elizabeth Macneal and Sarah Waters had a love child then The Secret Photographs would be the result. The depth of emotion, the vivid descriptions and the luscious characterisations made it such an immersive read, one I wanted to savour. I found myself longing to pick it up and longing for it never to end. It's heady and intoxicating, full of atmosphere which transported me to late Victorian England, beautifully written and researched, and quite frankly magnificent. One of my favourite books of the year.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discover the locations in the novel here


Not all that glitters is gold - this is a novel about the flourishing trade of erotic photographs which occurred during the late 1800s and wartime. It's both fascinating and very sad - when you learn about the women who took part and why. How an industry like this grew in the first place and why women ended up stuck inside is both compelling and utterly miserable. The author does a fantastic job of highlighting the strength of the women and their fight for justice which I found gave them a voice.

Novels like this are both fascinating and necessary. How else can we really find out about how women were treated and used. How they still are in many ways. What I particularly liked about the book was The National Vigilance Association who would scour pubs and theatres warning women away from this line of work. I cheered for them, and for the women.

A fascinating read!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Hour, by Jacquie Bloese, was an immersive read that provided unexpected character development at every turn. This is a story that speaks to today's societal issues that are consistent with those of the past, reminding us that some complexities are enduring. Paternalism, sexual preference, sibling connections, unexpected friendships, fairness, privilege, and contradictions are just a few that are explored.

Bloese accurately describes the enduring bond between siblings; the love, compassion, empathy, and expected conflicts, in a sensitive and relatable fashion. Throughout the book, the protagonist Ellen, steadily develops her sense of self and blossoming individuality. She is an interesting character complete with insecurities, strength, and a will to survive, and thrive.

Of note are the words Bloese chooses to knit together to deliver a finished product of clever concepts and clear articulation of the meaning she intends to convey. She has skill in describing a character's thought process with humor and wit which is entertaining and appreciated. This is a book to be savored and shared.

[R Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing read that took you into Victorian Britain when there were extreme differences in class and gender status. It revealed that many men were hypocrites with a veneer of respectability while also in thrall to the burgeoning photographic porn industry. The action centres on twin brother and sister who through force of circumstance find themselves producing this porn. Their subjects, though willing participants are victims here, receiving public vilification for their music hall performing lifestyle. A sapphic romance develops and in a surprising turn, one person whose character is developed as being sincere and tender in her affections is ditched in favour of a music hall performer as she is revealed as opportunistic. A word about the national vigilance association. In the book they are seen as overbearing, even sanctimonious. In the authors note they are described as saving many women from poverty and exploitation despite being overzealous at the time. All in all, much to take from a worthwhile read.

[Kisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Jacquie Bloese’s debut (The French House) and knew I would be reading her second novel as soon as humanly possible - I only wish I’d gotten around to writing a review sooner than this! The Golden Hour (also known as The Secret Photographs) is a fascinating, bold, often devastating glimpse into a world that existed on the fringes of Victorian society. It is a story of secrecy, shame, desperation, and desire, centered primarily on three women in harrowing circumstances trying to break free, in different ways. If you’re looking for thoughtful, immersive, beautifully written historical fiction on a subject not often explored, then this is a book you absolutely must pick up. Bloese is a masterful writer and storyteller and it shows in every single sentence; I can’t wait for her next book and to see what era and themes she tackles next. Highly and wholeheartedly recommend.

[Catherine Allaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down, such an engaging and well-written story, intimate and moving, historically astute and frustrating for women, I loved this story.

It was good to see women being independent, trying to push their independence, although with their limitations put upon by the men in the story, the double standards and the poverty line threatening all layers of society if one didn't conform. Some men are still like that now you know! It appealed to my rebellious streak and the simple things they had to dare to do which we would take for granted. It was also refreshing to have the tender love aspect. No spoilers from me though!

Another amazing book by Jacquie Bloese. What I liked most is Jacquie's descriptions and word play. It is as if I were in the room. Thank you.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, set in Victorian Brighton opens with a mystery - who is the dead young woman whose body has just been washed up on Brighton beach and what is the story behind this tragic event? This is a wonderful and engaging book reminiscent of Sarah Waters, Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet.
The characters are finely drawn and the constraints that the female characters have to contend with in Victorian Britain are very clearly illustrated. The music hall theatre and the Victorian photographers studio are beautifully evoked. The plot is fast paced and there are several enjoyable twists and turns. I really enjoyed this novel from the prologue to the surprising finish.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brightened a rainy weekend, transporting me to Victorian Brighton and its underworld of erotic tableaux and photography.
With an opening paragraph that intrigues the reader with a vivid, almost poetic, description of a woman’s body being washed up on the shoreline, richly drawn characters and the plot’s twists and turns, it kept me engaged to the very last page.
This is a story of women living on their wits in order to survive in a society where men and censorship control their destinies.

A very enjoyable read!

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in late Victorian Brighton ,the story tells of twins Ellen and Reynold who own a Photographers Shop who take respectable portraits during the day but when the shop is closed in the Golden Hour the models arrive for the more lucrative and illegal pornography of the time .The book deals with the inequalities between sexes of the time and the total power men had over women !.It is also a love story ,a beautifully written book with great characters .Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC.

[Kelvin Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was bowled over by the this book. From the cover art and blurbs I was expecting a relatively light but enjoyable read; but this book has a treasure trove of depth, sensuality and grittiness. The characters are complex, opaque at first but unravelling as we get to know them and their secrets. I loved the exploration of the interplay between sexuality, morality and money. I cannot recommend enough.

[Martha Nihls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second novel I’ve read, by Jacquie Bloese, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. Ms. Bloese’s skill with book plot and character development lead the reader effortlessly through the shady world of back alleys and illicit photography in Brighton at the turn of the 20th.century. The twists and turns in the story held my interest right to the end
A great read

[mrs. kim birt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story, I felt as if I was living in the era and became totally immersed in the plot. I enjoyed the differences between the class system and the difficulties each women had trying to make their way in a man’s world. Jacqui has a fantastic skill in telling a great story. I hope there will be a third book next year.

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The read isn't taxing at all, giving a nice warm feeling of comfort whilst exploring some provoking themes.

[Clayton Okeefe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed The French House so much that I bought this second book by the sane author. Sadly, I found this book difficult to read and not enjoyable.

[She Griffiths-Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It kept me captivated, the storyline was good and an insight into photography at that time, especially for women, what it meant to be gay and the hardship of the lower classes xxx

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual subject for a novel. Set in the latter part of the 19th century, twins Ellen and Reynolds Harper struggle at living as traditional photographers. and to boost their income they stray into an unknown world, until the results are exposed publicly, with dire effects. In the meantime, Ellen develops relationships with firstly her employer, Clementine, as a companion and later with a stage artiste, Harriet.

This novel uncovers a prejudiced world and it’s difficult to turn away from the truth, making for compulsive reading, with poverty, hardship and friendships.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Hodder & Staughton for this advance copy.