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13 Park Lane
She found refuge as a cook in a London household—but even the grandest homes can hide terrible things . . .
1872. Marguerite has fled to London, leaving behind a traumatic past in Paris. When she is offered work as a cook for mysterious French widow Madame Riel, she seizes the chance to start afresh.
But as soon as Marguerite arrives, she is stifled by the tension in the house—and before long, she comes to resent her stingy and volatile employer, as well as the unfriendly housemaid. Just as Marguerite is about to resign, Madame Riel's beautiful daughter Julie, an actress, returns to the house and charms her into staying.
But Julie's presence creates new toxic waves of emotion—until someone finally snaps.
Why is 13 Park Lane so full of hatred? What secrets does the household guard? And can any of its inhabitants escape the shackles of their pasts?
1872. Marguerite has fled to London, leaving behind a traumatic past in Paris. When she is offered work as a cook for mysterious French widow Madame Riel, she seizes the chance to start afresh.
But as soon as Marguerite arrives, she is stifled by the tension in the house—and before long, she comes to resent her stingy and volatile employer, as well as the unfriendly housemaid. Just as Marguerite is about to resign, Madame Riel's beautiful daughter Julie, an actress, returns to the house and charms her into staying.
But Julie's presence creates new toxic waves of emotion—until someone finally snaps.
Why is 13 Park Lane so full of hatred? What secrets does the household guard? And can any of its inhabitants escape the shackles of their pasts?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2024
124 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Clifford
10 books14 followers13 Park Lane is Naomi’s debut historical crime novel and is based on a real-life case from 1872 in which Marguerite Diblanc, a young Belgian cook, murdered her mistress, a mysterious French widow.
Naomi Clifford grew up in London. After reading history at Bristol University, she spent two years in Nashville, Tennessee, and following her return worked for a variety of magazines and websites.
She has published several non-fiction history books focusing primarily on women and crime.
Naomi Clifford grew up in London. After reading history at Bristol University, she spent two years in Nashville, Tennessee, and following her return worked for a variety of magazines and websites.
She has published several non-fiction history books focusing primarily on women and crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 25, 2024
In a Nutshell: A historical crime drama based on true events. Great research, but the writing choices didn’t work for me. This is an outlier review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
This novel is based on an actual crime in London in 1872. If you want to retain some suspense over what the crime was, don’t visit the author’s profile page here on Goodreads. It spoils the journey by revealing the details right in the first sentence. The blurb does an excellent job of maintaining suspense, so stick to the blurb.
This author usually pens historical nonfiction works. This is her maiden fiction attempt. Her historical knowledge and her research skills are on excellent display in the book. There is no dearth of facts, and her note at the end of the book displays the extent of her hard work and commitment to authenticity.
However there is one fact that cannot be denied: a historical true crime book is not the same as a historical fiction novel. This book is officially historical fiction, but straddles both the genres without doing justice to either. Those who focus mainly on the plot and aren’t so bothered about the writing approach might not experience the same feelings, but I am very picky about writing, and the writing choices made in this book weren’t to my reading taste.
The book begins with an excerpt of a newspaper article from June 1872, which declares Marguerite pronounced guilty of murder without revealing who was killed. So the prologue itself tells us that she is to be accused of murder at some point. The narrative then shifts to five months prior, detailing the manner of Marguerite’s arrival at the Riel household and her work there. In between, through Marguerite’s umpteen flashbacks, we also get glimpses of her past in Belgium and France. The first half of the book leads to the main event, and then moves into the post-crime narrative.
No problem with the intent and the broad structure. But there are many problems with the execution.
❌ The whole story is in Marguerite’s first-person POV, yet we mostly see only facts. There’s barely any revelation of her fear, regret, guilt, defiance, tears, anger... nothing! I have rarely seen first-person writing be so bland about emotions. Her opinions are written freely, but her feelings are hidden throughout. This lacuna is especially evident during the occurrence of the crime. I'd have expected to know more about why she took certain decisions or why she didn't reveal certain information, but we just don’t get to know her intimately.
❌ As the story is see only through Marguerite’s viewpoint, we don’t get to know any of the other characters, including the victim, in a genuine way. It is easy to see what they are doing, but figuring out a reason for their actions is tough. What little Marguerite knows/assumes about them is all we get. This makes it tougher to connect with anyone else. The character development is just surface-level.
❌ There’s a lot of telling rather than showing, further distancing me from the proceedings.
❌ There's way too much detail about Marguerite’s life before and after the crime. I can understand the importance of the ‘After’ part, but the historical details were needlessly extensive. Moreover, there are too many secrets in the past, which are revealed only at the end. As the main purpose of this book was to focus on a woman accused of murder, the rest of the material and the secret-keeping felt like padding to lengthen the book.
❌ The flashbacks about Marguerite’s earlier life in France are sometimes marked as separate sections, but more often than not, they spring randomly in between a scene, thanks to Marguerite’s ponderings about past events. There is hardly ever a time reference for these events, so we don't know how far back it all goes.
❌ The post-crime half of the book should have been equally important, considering what happened in reality. But the legal procedure hardly takes any chapters (though it should have been the key element) and the post-verdict scenes in prison zoom through years like no one’s business.
❌ What sealed my low rating was the super-duper-lengthy letter at the end, containing an entire infodump from Marguerite’s POV about the whats and the whys of the day that changed her life. Reading this extended “confession” in a letter form when there was no justification for it killed the remaining positive feelings I had.
Of course, not all is lost. The book does handle certain things well.
✔ Such stories usually make us direct our empathy and sympathy towards the suspect. However, Marguerite is kept grey from the start, with her flaws more visible than her strengths. It is tough to decide whether to root for her or not. This could go both ways, but I liked the uncertainty this created in my mind about whether Marguerite was actually guilty or not.
✔ The book also reveals the social and cultural conditions in London in the 1870s, and depicts the survival methods used by the poor and desperate during an era where money spoke more than anything. It also highlights the life for women (whether the wealthy or maids) who didn’t have an independent income and were dependent on males to provide them money, no matter the cost. The dreary condition in France during the siege years are also written well.
✔ My favourite part of the book was the author’s note. Her prowess as a historian is truly revealed in detail here. I admired her research and her dedication in getting the story right and also understood where and how she had to deviate from facts.
All in all, I loved the concept of this story a lot, but I feel a bit let down by the writing. The book would have worked better for me had the focus been directed towards the 1872 crime and its repercussions rather than going into so much detail for Marguerite’s earlier life. If Marguerite indeed had to be given greater priority than the murder, then the title shouldn’t have been “13 Park Lane”, the venue of the crime. The book might work better as a historical drama than as a true crime fictionalisation or a murder mystery.
As Marguerite speaks only French, I was hoping that my reading experience would be on the lines of another true-crime-based fictional novel I had read earlier this year. 'The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou' is also based on a historical crime in London (this one in 1954) where the accused spoke no English and had to rely on a Greek-speaking translator to put her story across. If ’13 Park Lane’ could have handled the writing choices even half as well as Eleni Kyriacou’s book did, my rating would have been far higher.
That said, mine is very much an outlier review and a majority of reviewers seemed to have found this novel worth reading. So please go through other opinions before you take a call.
Recommended to those who enjoy historical stories and prioritise plot over everything else.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing the DRC of “13 Park Lane” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
London, 1872. After having fled France during the communal siege, twenty-eight-year-old Marguerite Diblanc, who speaks no English, grabs the opportunity to work as a cook for the mercurial French widow Madame Riel. However, she soon discovers that the promises made to her before joining were nothing but lies. The Riel household is filled with tension that is worsened by the miserly owner, her unpredictable daughter, and an unfriendly English housemaid. Marguerite decides to quit her job, but where can she go? Then a tragedy occurs…
The story comes to us in Marguerite’s first-person perspective.
This novel is based on an actual crime in London in 1872. If you want to retain some suspense over what the crime was, don’t visit the author’s profile page here on Goodreads. It spoils the journey by revealing the details right in the first sentence. The blurb does an excellent job of maintaining suspense, so stick to the blurb.
This author usually pens historical nonfiction works. This is her maiden fiction attempt. Her historical knowledge and her research skills are on excellent display in the book. There is no dearth of facts, and her note at the end of the book displays the extent of her hard work and commitment to authenticity.
However there is one fact that cannot be denied: a historical true crime book is not the same as a historical fiction novel. This book is officially historical fiction, but straddles both the genres without doing justice to either. Those who focus mainly on the plot and aren’t so bothered about the writing approach might not experience the same feelings, but I am very picky about writing, and the writing choices made in this book weren’t to my reading taste.
The book begins with an excerpt of a newspaper article from June 1872, which declares Marguerite pronounced guilty of murder without revealing who was killed. So the prologue itself tells us that she is to be accused of murder at some point. The narrative then shifts to five months prior, detailing the manner of Marguerite’s arrival at the Riel household and her work there. In between, through Marguerite’s umpteen flashbacks, we also get glimpses of her past in Belgium and France. The first half of the book leads to the main event, and then moves into the post-crime narrative.
No problem with the intent and the broad structure. But there are many problems with the execution.
❌ The whole story is in Marguerite’s first-person POV, yet we mostly see only facts. There’s barely any revelation of her fear, regret, guilt, defiance, tears, anger... nothing! I have rarely seen first-person writing be so bland about emotions. Her opinions are written freely, but her feelings are hidden throughout. This lacuna is especially evident during the occurrence of the crime. I'd have expected to know more about why she took certain decisions or why she didn't reveal certain information, but we just don’t get to know her intimately.
❌ As the story is see only through Marguerite’s viewpoint, we don’t get to know any of the other characters, including the victim, in a genuine way. It is easy to see what they are doing, but figuring out a reason for their actions is tough. What little Marguerite knows/assumes about them is all we get. This makes it tougher to connect with anyone else. The character development is just surface-level.
❌ There’s a lot of telling rather than showing, further distancing me from the proceedings.
❌ There's way too much detail about Marguerite’s life before and after the crime. I can understand the importance of the ‘After’ part, but the historical details were needlessly extensive. Moreover, there are too many secrets in the past, which are revealed only at the end. As the main purpose of this book was to focus on a woman accused of murder, the rest of the material and the secret-keeping felt like padding to lengthen the book.
❌ The flashbacks about Marguerite’s earlier life in France are sometimes marked as separate sections, but more often than not, they spring randomly in between a scene, thanks to Marguerite’s ponderings about past events. There is hardly ever a time reference for these events, so we don't know how far back it all goes.
❌ The post-crime half of the book should have been equally important, considering what happened in reality. But the legal procedure hardly takes any chapters (though it should have been the key element) and the post-verdict scenes in prison zoom through years like no one’s business.
❌ What sealed my low rating was the super-duper-lengthy letter at the end, containing an entire infodump from Marguerite’s POV about the whats and the whys of the day that changed her life. Reading this extended “confession” in a letter form when there was no justification for it killed the remaining positive feelings I had.
Of course, not all is lost. The book does handle certain things well.
✔ Such stories usually make us direct our empathy and sympathy towards the suspect. However, Marguerite is kept grey from the start, with her flaws more visible than her strengths. It is tough to decide whether to root for her or not. This could go both ways, but I liked the uncertainty this created in my mind about whether Marguerite was actually guilty or not.
✔ The book also reveals the social and cultural conditions in London in the 1870s, and depicts the survival methods used by the poor and desperate during an era where money spoke more than anything. It also highlights the life for women (whether the wealthy or maids) who didn’t have an independent income and were dependent on males to provide them money, no matter the cost. The dreary condition in France during the siege years are also written well.
✔ My favourite part of the book was the author’s note. Her prowess as a historian is truly revealed in detail here. I admired her research and her dedication in getting the story right and also understood where and how she had to deviate from facts.
All in all, I loved the concept of this story a lot, but I feel a bit let down by the writing. The book would have worked better for me had the focus been directed towards the 1872 crime and its repercussions rather than going into so much detail for Marguerite’s earlier life. If Marguerite indeed had to be given greater priority than the murder, then the title shouldn’t have been “13 Park Lane”, the venue of the crime. The book might work better as a historical drama than as a true crime fictionalisation or a murder mystery.
As Marguerite speaks only French, I was hoping that my reading experience would be on the lines of another true-crime-based fictional novel I had read earlier this year. 'The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou' is also based on a historical crime in London (this one in 1954) where the accused spoke no English and had to rely on a Greek-speaking translator to put her story across. If ’13 Park Lane’ could have handled the writing choices even half as well as Eleni Kyriacou’s book did, my rating would have been far higher.
That said, mine is very much an outlier review and a majority of reviewers seemed to have found this novel worth reading. So please go through other opinions before you take a call.
Recommended to those who enjoy historical stories and prioritise plot over everything else.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing the DRC of “13 Park Lane” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Boolds for the ARC!
This book is a heartbreaking and compelling narrative that delves deeply into social issues, examining the expectations placed on women and the role of class in shaping one's fate. 13 Park Lane is a masterfully crafted work of historical fiction, blending elements of mystery and drama with a deep exploration of human nature. Clifford was well-researched and dedicated to showing Marguerite di Blanc's tragic life for what it was. This story is quite tragic, but an important one in the times we are currently living in. If we don't learn from history, it will repeat itself.
This book is a heartbreaking and compelling narrative that delves deeply into social issues, examining the expectations placed on women and the role of class in shaping one's fate. 13 Park Lane is a masterfully crafted work of historical fiction, blending elements of mystery and drama with a deep exploration of human nature. Clifford was well-researched and dedicated to showing Marguerite di Blanc's tragic life for what it was. This story is quite tragic, but an important one in the times we are currently living in. If we don't learn from history, it will repeat itself.
July 15, 2025
The book opens with the dedication, 'For all misfits everywhere.' And it had me pretty much there and then!
A mixture of thorough research into historical facts, imagination and artistic license, 13 Park Lane tells the bleak story of Marguerite Diblanc, a young woman who can't catch a break. She's fled from trouble in her hometown in Belgium, from trouble in Paris, and finds herself in yet more trouble in London.
The story is told from the first person perspective of Marguerite. We only get her side of the story, but she is, of course, an unreliable narrator. She is full of very human contradictions. Which made even the fictionalised version of her fascinating. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so:
Clifford grapples with social issues, such as sexism, classism, xenophobia... But also more personal issues, like Marguerite's trauma, and her desperate need to belong somewhere, to have someone she can rely on. We are taken to different times and places to find out what happened to Marguerite, and learn about different aspects of what life was like.
It's quite a slow burn, but I didn't mind that at all. I still found it very readable and interesting. In fact, I felt it almost needed to be slow: There's also a lot simmering even when the pace is slow - we're not sure who is genuine, who can be trusted, whether Marguerite is being completely honest or whether she's misinterpreting things.
[Had quite a surprise when glancing over the acknowledgements when I saw a familiar name! It was the name of someone my girlfriend's family are good friends with, and when I pointed it out, my girlfriend noticed another family friend's name. And then she remembered that her mother (who bought me the book) had mentioned knowing the author, so the fact that mutual friends were acknowledged made sense. So that was quite cool. Maybe I can pass the book back to her and ask her to get it signed for me!]
A mixture of thorough research into historical facts, imagination and artistic license, 13 Park Lane tells the bleak story of Marguerite Diblanc, a young woman who can't catch a break. She's fled from trouble in her hometown in Belgium, from trouble in Paris, and finds herself in yet more trouble in London.
The story is told from the first person perspective of Marguerite. We only get her side of the story, but she is, of course, an unreliable narrator. She is full of very human contradictions. Which made even the fictionalised version of her fascinating. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so:
Clifford grapples with social issues, such as sexism, classism, xenophobia... But also more personal issues, like Marguerite's trauma, and her desperate need to belong somewhere, to have someone she can rely on. We are taken to different times and places to find out what happened to Marguerite, and learn about different aspects of what life was like.
It's quite a slow burn, but I didn't mind that at all. I still found it very readable and interesting. In fact, I felt it almost needed to be slow: There's also a lot simmering even when the pace is slow - we're not sure who is genuine, who can be trusted, whether Marguerite is being completely honest or whether she's misinterpreting things.
[Had quite a surprise when glancing over the acknowledgements when I saw a familiar name! It was the name of someone my girlfriend's family are good friends with, and when I pointed it out, my girlfriend noticed another family friend's name. And then she remembered that her mother (who bought me the book) had mentioned knowing the author, so the fact that mutual friends were acknowledged made sense. So that was quite cool. Maybe I can pass the book back to her and ask her to get it signed for me!]
October 27, 2024
13 Park Lane is a haunting and deeply immersive historical novel that transports readers to Victorian England’s grim realities through the eyes of Marguerite Diblanc, a French immigrant struggling to survive as a servant in an unforgiving society. Based on true events, Naomi Clifford’s storytelling brings Marguerite’s tragic life into vivid focus, revealing the harsh conditions that slowly push her to the brink.
The novel opens with Marguerite standing trial for the murder of her cruel employer, Madame Riel. As we journey through the past events that led her to this fate, Clifford carefully constructs a narrative that questions justice, explores societal inequities, and asks how much one person can endure. Marguerite’s journey is not just a descent into darkness but also a poignant tale of survival, as she navigates exploitation, loneliness, and the indignities forced upon her by a rigid class structure. Clifford’s meticulous research adds depth, portraying the era’s social and cultural struggles while allowing Marguerite’s inner world to come alive.
13 Park Lane is as much an emotional exploration as it is a murder mystery. The novel flows between Marguerite's harsh daily life as a servant, her moments of fleeting happiness, and ultimately, her descent into despair. Clifford’s writing is richly atmospheric, evoking images that make Victorian London feel both immediate and oppressive. These visceral descriptions heighten the reader’s empathy for Marguerite, making her story all the more impactful.
A compelling blend of history and human drama, 13 Park Lane is an unforgettable novel that balances raw emotion with an insightful look into the darker corners of Victorian society. For fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge, this book is a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Naomi Clifford for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
The novel opens with Marguerite standing trial for the murder of her cruel employer, Madame Riel. As we journey through the past events that led her to this fate, Clifford carefully constructs a narrative that questions justice, explores societal inequities, and asks how much one person can endure. Marguerite’s journey is not just a descent into darkness but also a poignant tale of survival, as she navigates exploitation, loneliness, and the indignities forced upon her by a rigid class structure. Clifford’s meticulous research adds depth, portraying the era’s social and cultural struggles while allowing Marguerite’s inner world to come alive.
13 Park Lane is as much an emotional exploration as it is a murder mystery. The novel flows between Marguerite's harsh daily life as a servant, her moments of fleeting happiness, and ultimately, her descent into despair. Clifford’s writing is richly atmospheric, evoking images that make Victorian London feel both immediate and oppressive. These visceral descriptions heighten the reader’s empathy for Marguerite, making her story all the more impactful.
A compelling blend of history and human drama, 13 Park Lane is an unforgettable novel that balances raw emotion with an insightful look into the darker corners of Victorian society. For fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge, this book is a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Naomi Clifford for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
October 3, 2024
How much pain can one soul contain before something terrible happens?
13 Park Lane is a fictionalised account of an actual murder and based on the lives of real people. The story follows a poor servant, Marguerite Diblanc, who during a time of revolution flees France after committing a minor crime. She finds work as a cook at 13 Park Lane, but it seems the job is a poison chalice as the mistress, Madame Riel is a veritable harpy who starves Marguerite and makes her life a misery. Then one day Margeurite snaps…
The book almost reads in two parts, with the lead up to the murder (not a spoiler as Marguerite is found guilty of murder in the first chapter), followed Marguerite being on the run, put on trial, and her time in gaol. Like walls supporting a roof, the first part is necessary in order to appreciate the full emotional impact of the second part. Marguerite’s time as a cook and how she strived to control her emotions was engrossing, but where things really stepped up for me was the description of her time in gaol, and the dignity with which she bore the ordeal. And then when the final revelations came about the deep, underlying reason that caused her to snap…it was very moving indeed.
13 Park Lane is a gritty, but engrossing read. This is not a costume drama read, but a beautifully written account of struggle and the human spirit. I loved how it was written and the evocative descriptions evocative: “The sky was a thick grey mattress and the rain came down in daggers. You wouldn’t have known it was daytime.”
4 stars.
13 Park Lane is a fictionalised account of an actual murder and based on the lives of real people. The story follows a poor servant, Marguerite Diblanc, who during a time of revolution flees France after committing a minor crime. She finds work as a cook at 13 Park Lane, but it seems the job is a poison chalice as the mistress, Madame Riel is a veritable harpy who starves Marguerite and makes her life a misery. Then one day Margeurite snaps…
The book almost reads in two parts, with the lead up to the murder (not a spoiler as Marguerite is found guilty of murder in the first chapter), followed Marguerite being on the run, put on trial, and her time in gaol. Like walls supporting a roof, the first part is necessary in order to appreciate the full emotional impact of the second part. Marguerite’s time as a cook and how she strived to control her emotions was engrossing, but where things really stepped up for me was the description of her time in gaol, and the dignity with which she bore the ordeal. And then when the final revelations came about the deep, underlying reason that caused her to snap…it was very moving indeed.
13 Park Lane is a gritty, but engrossing read. This is not a costume drama read, but a beautifully written account of struggle and the human spirit. I loved how it was written and the evocative descriptions evocative: “The sky was a thick grey mattress and the rain came down in daggers. You wouldn’t have known it was daytime.”
4 stars.
October 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for this eCopy to review
13 Park Lane is a historical mystery based on real events from 1872. The story revolves around Marguerite Diblanc, a young Belgian cook who murders her mistress, Madame Riel, a mysterious French widow. The novel delves into the dark and tense atmosphere of the household at 13 Park Lane, exploring the secrets and emotions that lead to the crime.
Marguerite flees to London, leaving behind a traumatic past in Paris. She takes up a position as a cook for Madame Riel, hoping for a fresh start. However, the house is filled with tension, and Marguerite soon finds herself resenting her stingy and volatile employer, as well as the unfriendly housemaid. Just as Marguerite is about to resign, Madame Riel’s beautiful actress daughter Julie returns, creating new waves of toxic emotions. The tension escalates until someone finally snaps and murders Madame Riel. The novel explores why 13 Park Lane is so full of hatred, what secrets the household guards, and whether any of its inhabitants can escape the shackles of their past.
Marguerite's struggles and emotions are palpable, making her a relatable character. The dark and oppressive atmosphere of the household is effectively portrayed, creating a sense of dread and tension. The historical setting adds authenticity to the story, making it a gripping read.
13 Park Lane is an engrossing read that immerses you in the dark and tense atmosphere of a Victorian household.
13 Park Lane is a historical mystery based on real events from 1872. The story revolves around Marguerite Diblanc, a young Belgian cook who murders her mistress, Madame Riel, a mysterious French widow. The novel delves into the dark and tense atmosphere of the household at 13 Park Lane, exploring the secrets and emotions that lead to the crime.
Marguerite flees to London, leaving behind a traumatic past in Paris. She takes up a position as a cook for Madame Riel, hoping for a fresh start. However, the house is filled with tension, and Marguerite soon finds herself resenting her stingy and volatile employer, as well as the unfriendly housemaid. Just as Marguerite is about to resign, Madame Riel’s beautiful actress daughter Julie returns, creating new waves of toxic emotions. The tension escalates until someone finally snaps and murders Madame Riel. The novel explores why 13 Park Lane is so full of hatred, what secrets the household guards, and whether any of its inhabitants can escape the shackles of their past.
Marguerite's struggles and emotions are palpable, making her a relatable character. The dark and oppressive atmosphere of the household is effectively portrayed, creating a sense of dread and tension. The historical setting adds authenticity to the story, making it a gripping read.
13 Park Lane is an engrossing read that immerses you in the dark and tense atmosphere of a Victorian household.
November 9, 2024
1872 marked turbulent times in Europe. Marguerite has first run away from her native Belgium, then arrived in Paris to a way of life that was hard and now has turned up in London. With no English language skills, she has to work for a French family and from the kindly Dumas family she moves to the volatile and penurious family of the Riels. Facing abuse and extreme stinginess from the lady of the house Marguerite gets enamoured by the daughter of the house and despite opportunities to leave continues to be a drudge in the household. One wonders as to the reason why she continued to stay despite the harsh treatment she received and the opportunities to get away when presented to her.
Her murdering her mistress, her running away to Paris and then her incarceration in British prisons is the rest of the story. A ideal prisoner doing her jobs competently she did get pardoned and finally returned to Belgium but at what personal cost.
Victorian England was harsh and oppressive to the poor and not willing to accept change. Women’s position in society was predetermined by birth and occupation. It was a harsh time. The murder story was intense and detailed, including details of police work and workings of prisons. The emotional story was heart breaking. Marguerite never stood a chance against everything arrayed against her. She was a very small cog in the whole story, though her actions were the entire story.
Her murdering her mistress, her running away to Paris and then her incarceration in British prisons is the rest of the story. A ideal prisoner doing her jobs competently she did get pardoned and finally returned to Belgium but at what personal cost.
Victorian England was harsh and oppressive to the poor and not willing to accept change. Women’s position in society was predetermined by birth and occupation. It was a harsh time. The murder story was intense and detailed, including details of police work and workings of prisons. The emotional story was heart breaking. Marguerite never stood a chance against everything arrayed against her. She was a very small cog in the whole story, though her actions were the entire story.
October 18, 2024
Marguerite Diblanc has spent her life running from the horrors of her past. As a member of the working classes, she experiences the indignities and traumas of injustice, and she struggles to hold her temper in check when faced with the raw unfairness of life. In a world where the rich and powerful, or those who aspire to be, can skate by on the assumption that might equals right, Marguerite is tainted by her lack of power, her gender, and her foreignness. The anger within her becomes impossible for her to control, and the opening pages of “13 Park Lane” find Marguerite in the dock at London’s Old Bailey facing a guilty verdict and a death sentence to the charge of murdering her employer. The book then begins to carefully unravel Marguerite’s story, giving her a voice that was denied her in court. Clifford portrays Diblanc as moody and impulsive, but she also presents her as sympathetic, a victim of greed, lust, misogyny, and circumstance. Who in the book is a true friend to her and whom can she trust? Clifford skillfully layers the evidence piece by piece until we see a fuller version of the woman at the center of the crime. I was pleased to receive an advanced copy of this historical drama. Based on a true story, and meticulously researched, “13 Park Lane” is a twisted upstairs/downstairs tragedy that keeps the reader guessing until the final chapter.
October 28, 2024
Marguerite Diblanc, the main character of 13 Park Lane is Belgian, but the travails of her life bring her from Belgium to France then England and finally back to Belgium again. This novel is a gritty tale of the abuse of a woman in a world where women were treated as possessions to be used by men. Despised by her own mother for being a large slightly slow female instead of a male child, Marguerite did not have a happy childhood. She is possessed of a quick temper which when matched with her strength and size brings trouble into her life. Her life is not all sadness. At times she finds peace as in the employ of Madame Soulier in Verdun and in the shop of Monsieur and Madame Dumas in London. There are, however, many unhappy days spent in prison after the Paris Commune and later in the employ of Madame Riehl at 13 Park Lane.
This is a well written novel, but I found it to be a bit slow-paced at times which made it harder to maintain my interest in the story. All in all, this is an interesting novel which details the plight of women at the time. Marguerite is a relatable character to all women as we may have gained a better place in the world of men, but we are still not treated equally.
This is a well written novel, but I found it to be a bit slow-paced at times which made it harder to maintain my interest in the story. All in all, this is an interesting novel which details the plight of women at the time. Marguerite is a relatable character to all women as we may have gained a better place in the world of men, but we are still not treated equally.
December 30, 2024
Based on the historic event of cook Marguerite di Blanc murdering her elderly employer, this novel offers a grim chronicle of a domestic's life in the 1850s. Driven from her Belgium home in her teens and experiencing xenophobia during a period of chaotic political turmoil in Europe, the uneducated Marguerite struggles to survive in situations which provide scant emotional support for her fractured mental state as she moves from France to England.
While the details of her grueling daily routine are meticulously related, there is a missing element in this first person narrative that somehow left me strangely unmoved for her awful plight.Perhaps recounting the horrors of her prior experiences in hindsight proved too great a gap for me to develop sympathize with her personal faults, because in retrospect, her entire existence was one of pitiable despair.Nevertheless, this book offered fascinating insight into the plight of servants and life in this era.
While the details of her grueling daily routine are meticulously related, there is a missing element in this first person narrative that somehow left me strangely unmoved for her awful plight.Perhaps recounting the horrors of her prior experiences in hindsight proved too great a gap for me to develop sympathize with her personal faults, because in retrospect, her entire existence was one of pitiable despair.Nevertheless, this book offered fascinating insight into the plight of servants and life in this era.
October 25, 2024
This meticulously researched historical novel is a story of crime and punishment in Victorian England. The author has a very clear appreciation of just how difficult life was for servants, particularly female servants, and this is an evocative picture of poverty and hardship amongst the French community in London, resulting in lost hope and tragedy.
Marguerite Diblanc, already hiding secrets from her past, is treated with ferocious cruelty by Madame Riel. Both characters are written with integrity and it would be impossible not to have empathy for Marguerite's plight.
This is not the relatively cosy world of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' or 'Downton Abbey'. It is tense with layer-upon-layer of psychological depth and some very harrowing scenes at the Old Bailey trial.
A dark but engaging narrative.
Marguerite Diblanc, already hiding secrets from her past, is treated with ferocious cruelty by Madame Riel. Both characters are written with integrity and it would be impossible not to have empathy for Marguerite's plight.
This is not the relatively cosy world of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' or 'Downton Abbey'. It is tense with layer-upon-layer of psychological depth and some very harrowing scenes at the Old Bailey trial.
A dark but engaging narrative.
October 29, 2024
A great read! I found this novel (based on real events) very compelling from the beginning. The murder might look like a straightforward crime. However, so much psychological states of mind come into play which are revealed throughout the novel. I do not condone the murder, but I can understand the reasons that led to it.... The storyline illustrates the harshness of being poor and being a woman... This novel brought up many emotions such as anger, sadness and hope as well? The reader can decide...
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
October 30, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. This is the story of the life of Marguerite DiBlanc, who at age 29 was convicted of murder of her employer. What a tale it is. The story takes us through most of Marguerite's life and believe me there is never a dull moment. I kept hoping for some happiness in her life but she never gave up in trying. Excellent writing and storytelling. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 2, 2025
Naomi Clifford is an historian I discovered on Threads where she serialized historical accounts of murder against 18th and 19th century British women. Here, she writes a fictional account of what transpired in the household where an actual murder took place. The story is intriguing and she does a yeoman’s job at character development but overall I wasn’t sucked in. I think this is a great start for an historian turned novelist and look forward to her future novels as her storytelling powers grow.
July 29, 2025
I loved this book. For me it was the perfect combination of memoir, true crime, and dislikeable murderess, but that protagonist was still someone who I could connect with, a woman who simply would not conform. I was annoyed with her because she could have improved her own lot, but I also sympathised with her because many of her reactions would have been my own to the stimuli she was presented with. A beautifully written piece of historical crime presented with the holes missing through time plastered with some great concepts.
October 25, 2024
This is a dark and twisted historical thriller. I enjoyed the majority of it, but the beginning seemed to drag. I know all of the details of the past had to be revealed, but I felt the story could have been condensed a bit so that it moved without being bogged down. At times, I couldn't decide if I was supposed to like Marguerite. I felt sympathy for the hand she had been dealt, but I found it difficult to find any redeeming characteristics in her. The story held my attention until the end and I recommend it, especially for history buffs. This is the first book by Ms. Clifford that I have read but I will be looking for others in the future.
I received a review copy from the author via Bloodhound Books and this review reflects my honest opinion.
I received a review copy from the author via Bloodhound Books and this review reflects my honest opinion.
January 27, 2025
Enjoyable
Well written in the first person with a compelling storyline and a refreshing approach to women characters. The historical content was only briefly explained and as it is a period in French history I am not familiar with, I did my own research to understand more, which may have been the author’s intent, but didn’t help in the context of the novel.
A good read for Kindle Unlimited.
Well written in the first person with a compelling storyline and a refreshing approach to women characters. The historical content was only briefly explained and as it is a period in French history I am not familiar with, I did my own research to understand more, which may have been the author’s intent, but didn’t help in the context of the novel.
A good read for Kindle Unlimited.
October 13, 2024
A person can only take so much before they snap and this is what happened to Marguerite. Based on real events this was an engrossing story of murder and toxic relationships. I loved the descriptive writing it made me feel like I was right there with the characters. A lot of research has gone into putting this together and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
October 31, 2024
Marguerite suffered such trauma that words could ignite her temper. I really enjoyed this book and the way it was based on true history. The decision of the author to change names to aid the reader was perfect and meant I was able to keep track of who was who. There was only one part in the middle of the book that confused me - the arrival of Marguerite with Jacques twice. A great book.
November 3, 2024
The historical detail is intriguing but I found the story a bit dull. None of the characters were particularly likeable although I did feel sorry for Marguerite. We don't find out her true story until the end, it's offered in teasers throughout and it really wasn't anything as bad as I'd expected. #bloodhoundbooks #13parklane
November 10, 2024
An average read
This book was free and began very well. However it seemed to skip around a lot which confused me.
It tells the story of Margarette a Belgian girl who lives as a servant in Paris then London.
She murders her mistress and finds herself in prison.
This book was free and began very well. However it seemed to skip around a lot which confused me.
It tells the story of Margarette a Belgian girl who lives as a servant in Paris then London.
She murders her mistress and finds herself in prison.
December 28, 2024
This is a lovely book that shows true insight into Marguerite’s character by the end. I was expecting a mystery about the crime, but got a wonderful character study instead. I highly recommend you check it out if you like historical fiction.
January 6, 2025
Super slow very long and slightly confusing.. you have to read and reread to catch things and understand them.. then the ending was abrupt like the author was cut off mid idea then just submitted it anyways
July 4, 2025
Brilliantly constructed and written and full of fascinating historic detail but I found the story so intensely distressing and depressing that it hurts to think about it. Probably says more about me than the book but what I must do now is move on to my next read before I disintegrate.
October 3, 2024
Rounding up to three stars
This was very slow to start, and for me it never recovered from that.
Some interesting bits, and I do like a toxic relationship.
This was very slow to start, and for me it never recovered from that.
Some interesting bits, and I do like a toxic relationship.
February 4, 2025
Very good historical fiction novel.
February 22, 2025
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
This was a fascinating piece of history.
I really enjoyed this book.
This was a fascinating piece of history.
I really enjoyed this book.
February 26, 2025
I couldn't engage with the central character of the writing style. I thought I'd enjoy the plot but the storyline was plodding. I abandoned it a quarter of the way through because I was bored.
May 22, 2025
🎧 Audiobook
Listening on Everand app
Narrated by Lorna Bennett 👍💕
"Each of us have our own loss and grief,
It is what makes us all the same"
Listening on Everand app
Narrated by Lorna Bennett 👍💕
"Each of us have our own loss and grief,
It is what makes us all the same"
August 1, 2025
This was a digestible read, easy to pick up once put down but didn’t maintain suspense with a lot of alluded to “secrets” being revealed at the end. For me this didn’t change the outcome or view of the storyline but it felt like this was a mop up of questions you might have asked throughout the book.
I enjoyed the book overall, it definitely has an escapism quality to it and you really get a feel of how challenging life could be for women during this time, no matter where your standing in society placed you. The main character not being a native English speaker added an interesting perspective especially with the legal system at the time and her background spanning Belgium and France.
I enjoyed the book overall, it definitely has an escapism quality to it and you really get a feel of how challenging life could be for women during this time, no matter where your standing in society placed you. The main character not being a native English speaker added an interesting perspective especially with the legal system at the time and her background spanning Belgium and France.
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