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Liberty Street
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26From the #1 bestselling Canadian author of Looking for Jane comes a riveting novel about one journalist's harrowing journey into an infamous real-life 1960s women's prison—and the detective who uncovers her story decades later.
1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best female reporters in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women's publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women's Prison lands on Emily's desk, she sees the scoop of a lifetime—one that could launch her career as a journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate's shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out . . .
1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery, and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women's Prison, the family trauma she's kept buried for years threatens to surface.
Inspired by true events, Liberty Street is at once poignant and dazzling—an unforgettable, intertwining story about resilience, mental health, and the power of female connection.
1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best female reporters in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women's publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women's Prison lands on Emily's desk, she sees the scoop of a lifetime—one that could launch her career as a journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate's shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out . . .
1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery, and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women's Prison, the family trauma she's kept buried for years threatens to surface.
Inspired by true events, Liberty Street is at once poignant and dazzling—an unforgettable, intertwining story about resilience, mental health, and the power of female connection.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
200 people are currently reading
5793 people want to read
About the author
Heather Marshall
3 books1,406 followersHeather Marshall lives with her family near Toronto. She worked in politics and communications before turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling. Her debut novel Looking for Jane was an instant #1 bestseller. Visit HeatherMarshallAuthor.com or connect on Instagram @heathermarshallauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 28, 2025
Utterly captivating. I found myself sneaking extra pages in whenever I could. Heather Marshall writes with urgency and passion about the injustices placed on women's lives and weaves it into a story that will latch onto your mind, with characters so real you'll want to reach through the pages to shout at them, but also to ache and cry and root for them. It's said often, and maybe too easily, but in this case I believe it to be true: This book is a triumph. Heather Marshall is a dedicated champion of women's rights, revealing the hard truths behind untold women's stories.
February 23, 2026
FABULOUS. No notes 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Heather Marshall delivers another Canadian History hit set in the same 1960s universe as Looking for Jane with some fun crossovers but a completely different focus on a little known Toronto women’s reformatory.
This one is for the Nelly Bly and Orange is the new black fans and anyone who loves Genevieve Graham stories. Told in dual timeline structure, Liberty Street follows the mystery of a body discovered in 1990s Huron County and how one woman police detective’s investigation leads her to 1960s Toronto and the life of Emily Radcliffe, a young Chatelaine assistant who goes undercover as a girl stunt reporter for a story about the Female Refuges Act and the deplorable conditions of the Mercer Women’s Prison.
I couldn’t put this down and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next! HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Canada for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
This one is for the Nelly Bly and Orange is the new black fans and anyone who loves Genevieve Graham stories. Told in dual timeline structure, Liberty Street follows the mystery of a body discovered in 1990s Huron County and how one woman police detective’s investigation leads her to 1960s Toronto and the life of Emily Radcliffe, a young Chatelaine assistant who goes undercover as a girl stunt reporter for a story about the Female Refuges Act and the deplorable conditions of the Mercer Women’s Prison.
I couldn’t put this down and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next! HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Canada for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in trade for a fair review. I entered the book give away on Goodreads. I am so excited to finally receive a book to review.
I wanted to know if the characters in the book were fictionalized or real people, so I started at the end where the references and acknowledgments are written. I found this very interesting to learn how the author was inspired to write the book and her research into obtaining the information and the actual accounts of women's abuses under the laws at the time. There are two real characters mentioned in the story, Nellie Bly an undercover reporter exposing injustices in a women’s prison in the USA, Doris Anderson, editor of Chatelaine Magazine in the nineteen-sixties.
The story was two fold, one with Emily Radcliffe, a burgeoning author for Chatelaine Magazine,, excited to get the scoop that would solidify her career in 1961, as an undercover reporter at Mercer Women's prison and one of a
female police detective, Rachel Mackenzie finding a Jane Dough in an unmarked grave in 1996 at Millgate Cemetery where after much investigation bring Emily and Rachel together to share a sad but true story and bring closure to a family.
In the story we go from Emily's undercover story during her imprisonment learning about some of the injustices done to her fellow inmates and Rachel's story regarding the case of the unmarked grave but also of Rachel's life living with her grandmother Dora and her mother Mary who was unstable and would drop in once a year to "visit".
Some of the women in the Mercer's prison were locked up because of mental illness (post partum depression)(domestic violence), prostitution, under age petty theft, inter -racial children, teen pregnancy, women having too many children with different fathers, gender identity, being a lesbian, being incorrigible (Emily's case for admittance). The only way to be released was approval from the doctor who was Iris Stone. It was often denied.
While Emily was in the Mercer prison, she made friends with inmates to find out information for her story but over time these women’s lives mattered to her, and she forged some interesting friends. After her experience there she was no longer the idealistic young woman, but a woman damaged that had to fight anxiety and post traumatic stress seeking therapy. Yes, this experience helped her in her writing career, but at what cost to her soul?
Rachel MacKenzie, police detective investigating the Jane Dough has issues with her own family history regarding mental illness. She lived with her mother who was unstable, who drank and did drugs and had various affairs with different men. She ended up living with her Grandmother Dora and they both endured her mother’s visits every summer. There was some tragedy that occurred that people still talk about. It is a mystery until near the end of the story. This kept me turning the pages to find out what happened. As you read you can really empathize with Rachel and her grandmother.
Rachel is an objective detective always following the evidence. She excelled in math and science in school and liked absolutes. She is a likeable character. She was lucky to have a good mentor on the force, Detective Stevens. In the story her partner is Officer Stevens, the nephew of her retired mentor. They work together to piece together the unidentified corpse, solve a mystery and help a family member bring closure after 30 years.
I believe what this Historical Fiction account is trying to teach society is to understand abuse and the injustices to women of the past from 1880 - 1961 based on society's current and past beliefs on what is just; regarding women's sexuality, mental health as well as criminal activity. Many of these laws were based on misogynistic legislation, old beliefs regarding women's mental health and many laws regarding marriage and the rights of husbands and fathers. Basically, this story is about the worst abuses women have endured under the law while incarcerated. This is why the telling of women's stories is so important and the freedom to tell them.
I wanted to know if the characters in the book were fictionalized or real people, so I started at the end where the references and acknowledgments are written. I found this very interesting to learn how the author was inspired to write the book and her research into obtaining the information and the actual accounts of women's abuses under the laws at the time. There are two real characters mentioned in the story, Nellie Bly an undercover reporter exposing injustices in a women’s prison in the USA, Doris Anderson, editor of Chatelaine Magazine in the nineteen-sixties.
The story was two fold, one with Emily Radcliffe, a burgeoning author for Chatelaine Magazine,, excited to get the scoop that would solidify her career in 1961, as an undercover reporter at Mercer Women's prison and one of a
female police detective, Rachel Mackenzie finding a Jane Dough in an unmarked grave in 1996 at Millgate Cemetery where after much investigation bring Emily and Rachel together to share a sad but true story and bring closure to a family.
In the story we go from Emily's undercover story during her imprisonment learning about some of the injustices done to her fellow inmates and Rachel's story regarding the case of the unmarked grave but also of Rachel's life living with her grandmother Dora and her mother Mary who was unstable and would drop in once a year to "visit".
Some of the women in the Mercer's prison were locked up because of mental illness (post partum depression)(domestic violence), prostitution, under age petty theft, inter -racial children, teen pregnancy, women having too many children with different fathers, gender identity, being a lesbian, being incorrigible (Emily's case for admittance). The only way to be released was approval from the doctor who was Iris Stone. It was often denied.
While Emily was in the Mercer prison, she made friends with inmates to find out information for her story but over time these women’s lives mattered to her, and she forged some interesting friends. After her experience there she was no longer the idealistic young woman, but a woman damaged that had to fight anxiety and post traumatic stress seeking therapy. Yes, this experience helped her in her writing career, but at what cost to her soul?
Rachel MacKenzie, police detective investigating the Jane Dough has issues with her own family history regarding mental illness. She lived with her mother who was unstable, who drank and did drugs and had various affairs with different men. She ended up living with her Grandmother Dora and they both endured her mother’s visits every summer. There was some tragedy that occurred that people still talk about. It is a mystery until near the end of the story. This kept me turning the pages to find out what happened. As you read you can really empathize with Rachel and her grandmother.
Rachel is an objective detective always following the evidence. She excelled in math and science in school and liked absolutes. She is a likeable character. She was lucky to have a good mentor on the force, Detective Stevens. In the story her partner is Officer Stevens, the nephew of her retired mentor. They work together to piece together the unidentified corpse, solve a mystery and help a family member bring closure after 30 years.
I believe what this Historical Fiction account is trying to teach society is to understand abuse and the injustices to women of the past from 1880 - 1961 based on society's current and past beliefs on what is just; regarding women's sexuality, mental health as well as criminal activity. Many of these laws were based on misogynistic legislation, old beliefs regarding women's mental health and many laws regarding marriage and the rights of husbands and fathers. Basically, this story is about the worst abuses women have endured under the law while incarcerated. This is why the telling of women's stories is so important and the freedom to tell them.
February 12, 2026
4.5 stars! Wow wow WOW. The blurb describes this as “a riveting novel” and they got it so right. This was a work of historical fiction brilliance that shines a spotlight on a not-so-distant past that should make all its readers feel enraged, moved, inspired, and in awe of the fearless women who paved the way for women today.
Liberty Street is inspired by true events and tells the story of Emily Radcliffe, a journalist who goes undercover at Mercer Women’s Prison in efforts to expose the atrocities experienced there. It’s 1961 and unfortunately far too easy to get in - getting out is an entirely different story. At the same time, we join Detective Rachel Mackenzie who in 1996 finds human remains that eventually lead her to Mercer.
This book was impossible to put down and I fell asleep reading it three nights in a row (blame my sleepiness, not the book!). I found myself fully invested in Emily’s story and cared a liiiitle bit less about Rachel’s, but watched with bated breath and events unfurled and the timelines merged - brilliant! This was tense and intense and often hard to read, but such an important story. I did find it repetitive and just a little too long sometimes, but I still really loved this.
The writing was exceptional, the message loud and clear, and was a reminder to me of why well-researched historical fiction just WORKS.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Liberty Street is inspired by true events and tells the story of Emily Radcliffe, a journalist who goes undercover at Mercer Women’s Prison in efforts to expose the atrocities experienced there. It’s 1961 and unfortunately far too easy to get in - getting out is an entirely different story. At the same time, we join Detective Rachel Mackenzie who in 1996 finds human remains that eventually lead her to Mercer.
This book was impossible to put down and I fell asleep reading it three nights in a row (blame my sleepiness, not the book!). I found myself fully invested in Emily’s story and cared a liiiitle bit less about Rachel’s, but watched with bated breath and events unfurled and the timelines merged - brilliant! This was tense and intense and often hard to read, but such an important story. I did find it repetitive and just a little too long sometimes, but I still really loved this.
The writing was exceptional, the message loud and clear, and was a reminder to me of why well-researched historical fiction just WORKS.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
February 3, 2026
thanks NetGalley for the ARC
Wow! This was amazing from beginning to end. I was truly captured by the story and learned so much about history within my own country. I love stories like these where it touches on a topic of history that isn't as well known as some of the other topics covered in historical fiction. Although some people have qualms about dual narrators, I felt like they were both quite useful in this story and both had their own unique journeys and character arcs coming together at the end. I really loved this. I will definitely recommend it to all.
Wow! This was amazing from beginning to end. I was truly captured by the story and learned so much about history within my own country. I love stories like these where it touches on a topic of history that isn't as well known as some of the other topics covered in historical fiction. Although some people have qualms about dual narrators, I felt like they were both quite useful in this story and both had their own unique journeys and character arcs coming together at the end. I really loved this. I will definitely recommend it to all.
January 28, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this novel. I had read Looking for Jane previously-it’s phenomenal so I was excited to see Marshall’s latest novel available for review.
The novel is set in both 1961 and 1996 and features Emily, a young editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine looking to launch her career as a serious journalist at a time when women were not really expected to have careers and Rachel a newer police detective trying to solve a case who also faces gender discrimination in her career. The intertwining storylines are fascinating, and a history lesson I knew nothing about. I’ve added two of the memoirs featured in the authors notes to my TBR list.
The novel is set in both 1961 and 1996 and features Emily, a young editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine looking to launch her career as a serious journalist at a time when women were not really expected to have careers and Rachel a newer police detective trying to solve a case who also faces gender discrimination in her career. The intertwining storylines are fascinating, and a history lesson I knew nothing about. I’ve added two of the memoirs featured in the authors notes to my TBR list.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A very good story, historical fiction in fact, about an actual Women's institution in Toronto and the abuses that occurred there. A parallel story line taking place years later, eventually dovetails to a conclusion and the solving of a mystery.
The author strongly highlights the way women were (mis)treated as second class citizens and the misunderstanding of mental health issues.
The conclusion gets a little maudlin at times, but this will undoubtedly be a popular book upon its release. (I was provided with an ARC by the publisher)
The author strongly highlights the way women were (mis)treated as second class citizens and the misunderstanding of mental health issues.
The conclusion gets a little maudlin at times, but this will undoubtedly be a popular book upon its release. (I was provided with an ARC by the publisher)
Review of advance copy
I’ve long had a quiet belief that if you walk into a bookstore searching for a new book, the right one will somehow find you.
That feeling proved true the day I came across Liberty Street. The title immediately caught my attention because I live on Liberty Street myself. It felt like a small, strange moment of serendipity. When I noticed the book was endorsed by one of my favourite authors, Kate Quinn, I picked it up—and before long I realized I couldn’t put it down.
I’ve lived in this neighborhood for some time and knew that a women’s prison once stood nearby, but it was always just a passing historical footnote to me. Heather Marshall brings that forgotten institution vividly back to life. Through her storytelling, the place emerges with all the desperation, brutality, and deep misogyny that marked both the era and the people trapped within it.
Reading the novel struck me on a deeply personal level. I recently discovered that my great-grandmother had been institutionalized after suffering severe postpartum depression, and that the treatment prescribed by doctors ultimately killed her—an overdose of insulin. Knowing this made many of the themes in the book feel painfully immediate. What might otherwise have felt like distant history instead felt uncomfortably close.
I rarely write reviews. After all, who am I to review a published author? But some stories linger long after the final page, and this was one of them.
Liberty Street is a powerful and haunting novel that reminds us how easily suffering can be forgotten by time—and how important it is that stories like these continue to be told.
Sometimes the right book really does find you.
That feeling proved true the day I came across Liberty Street. The title immediately caught my attention because I live on Liberty Street myself. It felt like a small, strange moment of serendipity. When I noticed the book was endorsed by one of my favourite authors, Kate Quinn, I picked it up—and before long I realized I couldn’t put it down.
I’ve lived in this neighborhood for some time and knew that a women’s prison once stood nearby, but it was always just a passing historical footnote to me. Heather Marshall brings that forgotten institution vividly back to life. Through her storytelling, the place emerges with all the desperation, brutality, and deep misogyny that marked both the era and the people trapped within it.
Reading the novel struck me on a deeply personal level. I recently discovered that my great-grandmother had been institutionalized after suffering severe postpartum depression, and that the treatment prescribed by doctors ultimately killed her—an overdose of insulin. Knowing this made many of the themes in the book feel painfully immediate. What might otherwise have felt like distant history instead felt uncomfortably close.
I rarely write reviews. After all, who am I to review a published author? But some stories linger long after the final page, and this was one of them.
Liberty Street is a powerful and haunting novel that reminds us how easily suffering can be forgotten by time—and how important it is that stories like these continue to be told.
Sometimes the right book really does find you.
February 20, 2026
I don’t normally reach for historical fiction, but this one completely won me over.
Liberty Street is inspired by true events and centers on Mercer Women’s Prison in Toronto, exposing the horrific treatment of women who were so easily institutionalized in the 1960s. The story follows Emily Radcliffe, a journalist who gets herself admitted to Mercer to uncover the abuse happening inside. Getting in is frighteningly simple. Getting out is another story entirely. Decades later, in the 1990s, Detective Rachel Mackenzie discovers human remains that eventually trace back to Mercer, forcing the past and present to collide.
This was riveting, tense, and at times hard to read, but in the most important way. The author shines a light on a not-so-distant history that should leave readers enraged, heartbroken, and deeply moved by the fearless women who pushed for change. The exploration of how women were treated as second-class citizens and the misunderstanding of mental health was especially powerful.
I was fully invested in Emily’s storyline and could not stop reading once she entered the prison. While I connected slightly less with Rachel’s perspective, watching the timelines slowly merge was brilliantly done. The book felt a touch repetitive and a bit long in places, and the ending leaned slightly sentimental, but overall I truly loved it.
The writing is exceptional, the research is evident, and this story reminded me exactly why well-done historical fiction just works.
Liberty Street is inspired by true events and centers on Mercer Women’s Prison in Toronto, exposing the horrific treatment of women who were so easily institutionalized in the 1960s. The story follows Emily Radcliffe, a journalist who gets herself admitted to Mercer to uncover the abuse happening inside. Getting in is frighteningly simple. Getting out is another story entirely. Decades later, in the 1990s, Detective Rachel Mackenzie discovers human remains that eventually trace back to Mercer, forcing the past and present to collide.
This was riveting, tense, and at times hard to read, but in the most important way. The author shines a light on a not-so-distant history that should leave readers enraged, heartbroken, and deeply moved by the fearless women who pushed for change. The exploration of how women were treated as second-class citizens and the misunderstanding of mental health was especially powerful.
I was fully invested in Emily’s storyline and could not stop reading once she entered the prison. While I connected slightly less with Rachel’s perspective, watching the timelines slowly merge was brilliantly done. The book felt a touch repetitive and a bit long in places, and the ending leaned slightly sentimental, but overall I truly loved it.
The writing is exceptional, the research is evident, and this story reminded me exactly why well-done historical fiction just works.
March 7, 2026
This book is a dual time line, taking place in Toronto during the early 1960s, and in 1996 Bayfield, ON. The setting for the 60s time line, is the Mercer Reformatory for Women. And actual jail for incorrigible women that was closed in the late 60s.
Our heroine, Emily, hears about the injustices of this prison and with the help of the editor in chief at Chatelaine and her father, gets sent there undercover. What happens during her time there becomes more than a story. It becomes about saving her friends and the never ending battle against injustices against women.
In Bayfield, Rachel is a detective in charge of finding out whose body was found in an unmarked grave. It leads her to Toronto, where she learns about the Mercer prison, but it also drags up her past, and how mental health in women is still something that is overlooked by men.
I really enjoyed both dual timelines. This book was interesting and I loved it!
Our heroine, Emily, hears about the injustices of this prison and with the help of the editor in chief at Chatelaine and her father, gets sent there undercover. What happens during her time there becomes more than a story. It becomes about saving her friends and the never ending battle against injustices against women.
In Bayfield, Rachel is a detective in charge of finding out whose body was found in an unmarked grave. It leads her to Toronto, where she learns about the Mercer prison, but it also drags up her past, and how mental health in women is still something that is overlooked by men.
I really enjoyed both dual timelines. This book was interesting and I loved it!
February 15, 2026
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: historical mysteries.
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The book follows two perspectives/timelines. The first follows Emily, a reporter in the 1960s who gets herself locked up in Mercer Women's Prison to witness and write about the horrors experienced by the female prisoners. Then we have Rachel, a detective in the 90s who comes across a dead body and must battle the ghosts of her past in order to solve the mystery.
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This was such an interesting story. I liked how the author represented the poor conditions in women's prisons, as well as how easy it was to lock a woman up back in the day. Emily was very brave to try to break the story, and I couldn't stop reading once she was in prison.
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Read if you like: historical mysteries.
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The book follows two perspectives/timelines. The first follows Emily, a reporter in the 1960s who gets herself locked up in Mercer Women's Prison to witness and write about the horrors experienced by the female prisoners. Then we have Rachel, a detective in the 90s who comes across a dead body and must battle the ghosts of her past in order to solve the mystery.
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This was such an interesting story. I liked how the author represented the poor conditions in women's prisons, as well as how easy it was to lock a woman up back in the day. Emily was very brave to try to break the story, and I couldn't stop reading once she was in prison.
March 8, 2026
This author does her research. I have loved every book and although they are emotional, they are stories that must be told.
Still processing this was based on true events. It amazes me that women were put in hospitals for hysteria or other minor things.
The atrocities these women went through is unimaginable. The brave journalist who went undercover had to endure so much to tell the story of this hospital and the horrific things women went through and the people who tried to cover them up.
Still processing this was based on true events. It amazes me that women were put in hospitals for hysteria or other minor things.
The atrocities these women went through is unimaginable. The brave journalist who went undercover had to endure so much to tell the story of this hospital and the horrific things women went through and the people who tried to cover them up.
February 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Heather Marshall for the ARC of Liberty Street.
I first found this author after reading her book Looking for Jane and was captivated by her writing style. Finding out that there was another book of similar faction I couldn’t help but pick it up.
I’ve found that Heather Marshall does not shy away from difficult stories within Canadian History- from dealing with abortions and now with women’s rights in the 1960’s. We find ourselves entranced by the POVs of two characters- Emily who is journalist in the 1960’s and Rachel in the 1990’s.
When a body is discovered in an unmarked grave in the 1990’s, Rachel the young female detective finds herself on a journey to figure out who the body is. This research leads to her the life of Emily Radcliffe. She’s an assistant at the Chatelaine magazine and finds herself stumbling across the Female Refuges Act after she receives a note retailing the horrible conditions inside the Mercer Women’s Prison.
To get to the bottom of things, she finds herself undercover in the prison to find out exactly what is happening. And what she discovers shocks her.
The research done by Heather Marshall for not only this story but all her others, shines through on every page, emphasizing the authenticity of the narrative. The characters are ones that stick with you with how vivid and unforgettable they are leading to the emotional turmoil of the characters being felt by the reader. I also appreciate the fact that at the end of the book she touches on parts of her research to offer the reader further understanding to where this story came from.
Her books are definitely ones I will recommend to others I know!
I first found this author after reading her book Looking for Jane and was captivated by her writing style. Finding out that there was another book of similar faction I couldn’t help but pick it up.
I’ve found that Heather Marshall does not shy away from difficult stories within Canadian History- from dealing with abortions and now with women’s rights in the 1960’s. We find ourselves entranced by the POVs of two characters- Emily who is journalist in the 1960’s and Rachel in the 1990’s.
When a body is discovered in an unmarked grave in the 1990’s, Rachel the young female detective finds herself on a journey to figure out who the body is. This research leads to her the life of Emily Radcliffe. She’s an assistant at the Chatelaine magazine and finds herself stumbling across the Female Refuges Act after she receives a note retailing the horrible conditions inside the Mercer Women’s Prison.
To get to the bottom of things, she finds herself undercover in the prison to find out exactly what is happening. And what she discovers shocks her.
The research done by Heather Marshall for not only this story but all her others, shines through on every page, emphasizing the authenticity of the narrative. The characters are ones that stick with you with how vivid and unforgettable they are leading to the emotional turmoil of the characters being felt by the reader. I also appreciate the fact that at the end of the book she touches on parts of her research to offer the reader further understanding to where this story came from.
Her books are definitely ones I will recommend to others I know!
March 9, 2026
This book had an interesting premise, but it was a bit too slow for me at the beginning to keep my attention. I did skip ahead to the author’s note at the end and enjoyed reading that. A more patient reader may love this book! DNF at 20%.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 9, 2026
Emily is a young unmarried woman in the 1960s who dreams of being a female reporter.
Rachel is a cop in the 1990s with a rough family history.
When a body from the 60s is discovered, Rachel is looking for a Jane Doe and Emily is going undercover to get the scoop of her life about the treatment of women in the Mercers Womens Prison in Toronto
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From the first couple of chapters, I knew this was a book that was going to stick with me. I learned so much about a dark part of Canadian history.
Emily’s story, you’re rooting for her. Rachel’s story you’re trying to figure out what happened. They weave together so beautifully to create a powerful and strong story.
I already have Heather’s backlist on my TBR. I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you for sharing this ARC with me and for writing this incredible story
Rachel is a cop in the 1990s with a rough family history.
When a body from the 60s is discovered, Rachel is looking for a Jane Doe and Emily is going undercover to get the scoop of her life about the treatment of women in the Mercers Womens Prison in Toronto
_______
From the first couple of chapters, I knew this was a book that was going to stick with me. I learned so much about a dark part of Canadian history.
Emily’s story, you’re rooting for her. Rachel’s story you’re trying to figure out what happened. They weave together so beautifully to create a powerful and strong story.
I already have Heather’s backlist on my TBR. I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you for sharing this ARC with me and for writing this incredible story
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading and loving "Looking for Jane," I knew this one was going to be a winner. Heather Marshall does not disappoint...
March 6, 2026
Another excellent book from Heather Marshall! Lived this one on audio.
February 6, 2026
3.75/5⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Liberty Street. This was a fascinating story about a piece of Canadian history I knew nothing about. I found the dual timelines slightly confusing and disjointed at times, but overall I was captivated by the storyline - it kept me hooked.
January 26, 2026
Wow, I absolutely loved this one!
I really enjoyed reading about the history of my province and the horrible things that happened in the 60s as well as the outlet Chatelaine was for women, at a time of suppression.
From the very beginning, you are rooting for Emily Radcliffe’s character, an aspiring journalist, wanting to succeed and expose the malpractice, illegal medical procedures and drug experimentation happening in the Mercer Women’s prison. The entire story was captivating, heartbreaking and eye opening. I read about similar experiences in university but to think about this happening so close to home was disturbing. Although the beginning was a little slow, once the undercover mission started, I was itching to pick up this book any chance I got.
If you’re looking for a captivating women’s historical fiction, this is it. I’ll be recommending it everyone and I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon it on Netgalley. A huge thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for an e-arc!
I really enjoyed reading about the history of my province and the horrible things that happened in the 60s as well as the outlet Chatelaine was for women, at a time of suppression.
From the very beginning, you are rooting for Emily Radcliffe’s character, an aspiring journalist, wanting to succeed and expose the malpractice, illegal medical procedures and drug experimentation happening in the Mercer Women’s prison. The entire story was captivating, heartbreaking and eye opening. I read about similar experiences in university but to think about this happening so close to home was disturbing. Although the beginning was a little slow, once the undercover mission started, I was itching to pick up this book any chance I got.
If you’re looking for a captivating women’s historical fiction, this is it. I’ll be recommending it everyone and I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon it on Netgalley. A huge thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for an e-arc!
February 24, 2026
There's something about historical fiction that just strikes a cord. And Heather Marshall tends to write about our country's darker past, often based around the injustices women faced in our not so distant past. Which always both intrigues me and makes me sad. Liberty Street delves into the Female Refugees act in the 1960's. And the atrocities faced in woman's "correctional" facilities. Like most of the history I discover reading historical fiction this was a law I knew nothing about and was appalled to learn of. Even during a time when women were still coming into their own in the world.
Marshall weaves a poignant and heart breaking tale told in dual timelines. That of Emily Radcliffe in the early 60's, and that of Rachel Mackenzie mostly in the mid 90's. Emily's story had me holding my breath and full of emotion. Her character a great representation of the pioneering career women of her time. Rachel's timeline didn't hold quite as much sway for me but I felt for the young girl she was and the emotional turbulance she faced with her mother. And the gender inequalities that were still present even in the timeline 30 years in the future. To see how little things had really changed.
What the women in the Mercer prison faced and those that mirrored it in real life, that Marshall took her inspiration from, was abhorrent. And the ease with how they could be incarcerated blows my mind. Makes me appreciate how far we've come and the liberties we have now. Even if there is more work to be done.
Like any great book, especially historical fiction, this one makes you stop and think. Be a little introspective. While still entertaining the reader. Marshall once again shows her expertise in showcasing women's stories and abuse. Bringing to the forefront a history that is overlooked but should not be forgotten.
TW's: incarceration, gynecological abuse, medical abuse, involuntary confinement, assault, fire, domestic abuse (off page),
As always, I highly recommend reading the authors note at the end. Its always interesting to see where and who the story was based on,
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House /Double Day for my advanced copy in return for an honest review
Marshall weaves a poignant and heart breaking tale told in dual timelines. That of Emily Radcliffe in the early 60's, and that of Rachel Mackenzie mostly in the mid 90's. Emily's story had me holding my breath and full of emotion. Her character a great representation of the pioneering career women of her time. Rachel's timeline didn't hold quite as much sway for me but I felt for the young girl she was and the emotional turbulance she faced with her mother. And the gender inequalities that were still present even in the timeline 30 years in the future. To see how little things had really changed.
What the women in the Mercer prison faced and those that mirrored it in real life, that Marshall took her inspiration from, was abhorrent. And the ease with how they could be incarcerated blows my mind. Makes me appreciate how far we've come and the liberties we have now. Even if there is more work to be done.
Like any great book, especially historical fiction, this one makes you stop and think. Be a little introspective. While still entertaining the reader. Marshall once again shows her expertise in showcasing women's stories and abuse. Bringing to the forefront a history that is overlooked but should not be forgotten.
TW's: incarceration, gynecological abuse, medical abuse, involuntary confinement, assault, fire, domestic abuse (off page),
As always, I highly recommend reading the authors note at the end. Its always interesting to see where and who the story was based on,
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House /Double Day for my advanced copy in return for an honest review
February 20, 2026
This book is absolutely fantastic and Heather Marshall is easily becoming an auto buy author for me! She is phenomenal at intertwining Canadian history, female focused stories, and providing a storyline that you just can't put down!!
Liberty street is a multi timeline masterpiece inspired by the Andrew Mercer prison in Toronto in the 1960s and the women's refugee act. This book is an unforgettable story about resilience, mental health and female empowerment.
The timeline in the 1960s follows a journalist named Emily who goes undercover to expose the atrocities happening at the Mercer women's prison. In the 1990s we follow Rachel who discovers an unmarked grave and her investigation leads her to the now closed Mercer prison, and upheaves family trauma of her own.
I loved Emily's character! she was pushing for something that wasn't common at the time and was going against the social norms. I loved getting to learn so much Canadian history through her eyes, meeting all the different women and their struggles in the prison knowing these were real stories was heartbreaking.
The dual timelines worked so well for this novel and I liked that we almost had a third timeline with Rachel's family backstory.
I loved learning about all the research Heather put into this book to make it authentic and as close to the real history as possible. Our characters are not real but the prison and the women incarcerated there in the 60s were and I'm glad someone is telling their story!
I have read her debut looking for Jane and I thought it was brilliant to have some crossover with her book and characters from there into this one! I can't wait to see what we will get next from Heather Marshall.
Thank you penguin random house Canada, double day Canada and NetGalley for the ARC copy!
Liberty street is a multi timeline masterpiece inspired by the Andrew Mercer prison in Toronto in the 1960s and the women's refugee act. This book is an unforgettable story about resilience, mental health and female empowerment.
The timeline in the 1960s follows a journalist named Emily who goes undercover to expose the atrocities happening at the Mercer women's prison. In the 1990s we follow Rachel who discovers an unmarked grave and her investigation leads her to the now closed Mercer prison, and upheaves family trauma of her own.
I loved Emily's character! she was pushing for something that wasn't common at the time and was going against the social norms. I loved getting to learn so much Canadian history through her eyes, meeting all the different women and their struggles in the prison knowing these were real stories was heartbreaking.
The dual timelines worked so well for this novel and I liked that we almost had a third timeline with Rachel's family backstory.
I loved learning about all the research Heather put into this book to make it authentic and as close to the real history as possible. Our characters are not real but the prison and the women incarcerated there in the 60s were and I'm glad someone is telling their story!
I have read her debut looking for Jane and I thought it was brilliant to have some crossover with her book and characters from there into this one! I can't wait to see what we will get next from Heather Marshall.
Thank you penguin random house Canada, double day Canada and NetGalley for the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received an ARC copy of this book and was incredibly excited about reading it. This Canadian author has hooked me before with her ability to research history (related to Women’s health), and then weave an incredibly gripping story around it. Well, she has done it once again! I became quite invested in these characters and found myself wondering what that time period would have been like and how is it even possible that these abominations occurred. It is because of brave and outspoken women that this world has changed, for all women. There is always more work to be done, but look how far we have come. It is extremely important to remember these stories now, when so much is currently at risk regarding Women’s health and autonomy in this political climate. Thank you to NetGalley for the book. Thank you Heather Marshall for sharing yet another gripping story about Canadian history. Keep writing, I want to keep reading your work!
February 17, 2026
3.5 stars.
As always, Heather Marshall writes of women breaking down the patriarchy and confines on women in history, and I am here for it.
Her previous two novels I gave 5 stars. I felt this novel had a lull around the 20-35% mark; as such my engagement was lessened. My exceedingly high expectations were my own fault. I also don’t love a jail storyline.
Regardless, Heather Marshall is one of my favourite authors, and remains as such today.
Recommend if:
-you love historical fiction and want something different than the WWII trope
-reading of past women heroes you’ve never heard of
-want to know more of women and mental health and its ugly past of how women were treated.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As always, Heather Marshall writes of women breaking down the patriarchy and confines on women in history, and I am here for it.
Her previous two novels I gave 5 stars. I felt this novel had a lull around the 20-35% mark; as such my engagement was lessened. My exceedingly high expectations were my own fault. I also don’t love a jail storyline.
Regardless, Heather Marshall is one of my favourite authors, and remains as such today.
Recommend if:
-you love historical fiction and want something different than the WWII trope
-reading of past women heroes you’ve never heard of
-want to know more of women and mental health and its ugly past of how women were treated.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ • Wow. Heather Marshall does it again! A timely book about women’s rights, or lack there of, in Canada in the 1960s. While this is a fictional story, it is based on true events and locations, specifically in Toronto and southern Ontario. It was an eye opening, often difficult read, imagining oneself in these characters circumstances.
I loved some of the minor cross over from her first novel Looking For Jane, which is another incredible read, and I highly recommend to historical fiction lovers. The two novels stand alone and can be read in any order, but exist within the same universe and timeline.
Read if you like: Historical fiction centering around women’s rights history in Canada, dual POV/dual timeline novel, family trauma, crime/mystery drama
I loved some of the minor cross over from her first novel Looking For Jane, which is another incredible read, and I highly recommend to historical fiction lovers. The two novels stand alone and can be read in any order, but exist within the same universe and timeline.
Read if you like: Historical fiction centering around women’s rights history in Canada, dual POV/dual timeline novel, family trauma, crime/mystery drama
February 20, 2026
I am never going to forget this book. Every aspect of this story felt carefully chosen to really shine a light on the absolute atrocities that women have faced in not-so-distant history (and continue to face tbh). The two different stories/timelines felt so distinct, but it was easy to see the underlying themes and elements that tied them together throughout the book. I’m just ready to start a riot because this book has spurred something inside of me.
January 24, 2026
Heather Marshall has once again knocked it out of the park with Liberty Street. The research that goes into her writing is top-notch and while the circumstances surrounding the story itself is both infuriating and devastating it is also so captivating and well written. Heather Marshall has told another important story inspired by true events in Canadian history. With a dual timeline set in 1961 and 1996, in 1961 we meet Emily Radcliffe who is working as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine and the magazine is tackling controversial stories that no other women’s publications are prepared to touch. Emily learns through a letter about the deplorable conditions at the Mercer Women’s Prison and goes undercover to investigate the claims. In 1996, we meet Detective Rachel Mackenzie who is tasked with unravelling the mystery when human remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town cemetery. Which leads to the Detective learning about the Mercer Women’s Prison.
This is the first time I heard of the Female Refuges Act and really appreciate the author for continuing to tell these types of stories as they play an important role in championing human rights and serve as a reminder to the reader of the injustices that happened in the not so distance past.
Thank you to the publisher Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Doubleday Canada, NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first time I heard of the Female Refuges Act and really appreciate the author for continuing to tell these types of stories as they play an important role in championing human rights and serve as a reminder to the reader of the injustices that happened in the not so distance past.
Thank you to the publisher Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Doubleday Canada, NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2026
Another great book by Heather Marshall.
March 8, 2026
ALL THE STARS!
This book was so good! I'm still processing what I read and the fact that it's based off real Toronto history. I feel like I'm going to be thinking about this one for a long time.
This book was so good! I'm still processing what I read and the fact that it's based off real Toronto history. I feel like I'm going to be thinking about this one for a long time.
March 5, 2026
Loved this book so much!!! Heather Marshall is Canada’s Kristen Hannah.
February 2, 2026
Another amazingly written book by Heather Marshall! In Liberty Street, she does not shy away from another difficult story within Canadian history, this time about women's rights in 1960's Toronto.
This book is written in dual timeline. When a body is found in an unmarked grave in 1990's Huron County, the investigation leads young female detective, Rachel, to the life of Emily Radcliffe. As an assistant at Chatelaine magazine, Emily stumbles across the Female Refuges Act and the horrible conditions inside of the Mercer Women's Prison. Determined to learn more, Emily goes undercover inside the prison after easily getting declared "incorrigible."
This book focuses on the trauma both women experienced and the remarkable courage displayed by many women in the face of adversity. A difficult and very powerful read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book.
This book is written in dual timeline. When a body is found in an unmarked grave in 1990's Huron County, the investigation leads young female detective, Rachel, to the life of Emily Radcliffe. As an assistant at Chatelaine magazine, Emily stumbles across the Female Refuges Act and the horrible conditions inside of the Mercer Women's Prison. Determined to learn more, Emily goes undercover inside the prison after easily getting declared "incorrigible."
This book focuses on the trauma both women experienced and the remarkable courage displayed by many women in the face of adversity. A difficult and very powerful read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book.
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