Liberty Street

by Heather Marshall

From 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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adult Fiction, Mental Health, Historical, Fiction, Canada

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Heather 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.

Reviews

[Charlene Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Maureen]

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.

Historical Fiction is not my preferred genre. The closest is Historical Romance which I read most of the time. I am reading this book as a challenge and an honor to be able to write a 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 period.

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 - 1996 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. 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 am continuing to the read the accounts of the different women in the Mercer Prison for women. Stay tuned.

[Elyse (Elyse’s Epilogues) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liberty Street by Heather Marshall
Publishing February 24th, 2026 in Canada by Doubleday Canada
Publishing June 16, 2026 in US by Random House Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars - LOVED reading this

What do you do when you know you have just finished your favourite book of the year on January 2nd?

I’ve never experienced this overwhelming concern that any review I write of this novel will never convey just how good this book is. With that said, there is a good chance I may continue editing my review to give it the recognition and the credit it so deserves.

I spent the week reading this book suffering an internal struggle, warring between taking my time to enjoy what I knew from the get go was going to be an incredible book, to desperately wanting to get to the conclusion and read the Author’s Note.

Heather Marshall’s books continue to be so well researched, so captivating, so devastating, so infuriating and so beautifully written. She writes in three different timelines in this novel, each one as interesting as the next. So often in multi-timeline novels, I rush through one decade or storyline to get to another, but with Heather Marshall’s books - she gives you enough intrigue, mystery and suspense in each storyline, as well as connection with each main character, that leaves you happy to return to each storyline and learn more and to figure out how they will eventually connect and intersect. It’s also always so fun to read about places I’ve been to and even a mention of the city I’m from! 

📖 Rachel is a Detective on Lake Huron, Ontario in the mid 90’s with her share of skeletons from her past, when she’s called to a cemetery to investigate an unmarked grave with female remains found in an enumerated cemetery plot.
In 1961, Emily is an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, a magazine for women, largely ignored by men and the more respected male magazine company that owns it. The cover shares articles about lipsticks, recipes and place settings - the makings of a good housewife, while the inside attempts to open women’s eyes and minds to more controversial topics. When a letter from an inmate at Mercer Women’s Prison lands in Emily’s hands, detailing the terrible conditions, mistreatment and abuse the inmates suffer, as well as the Incorrigible law, a law that can place any women in jail for very little reason with zero evidence, she knows its up to her to go undercover and break this story. Getting into jail ends up being quite easy, getting out is a different story that only she can tell.

I widely recommend this book, especially for those who loved Looking for Jane, like I did.

Who else would love this?
* Readers who loved Looking for Jane, Heathers debut novel.
* Readers who love historical fiction
* Readers who love reading about the fight for women’s rights
* Readers who love intersecting multiple timelines
* Readers who love to learn something

Thank you to Doubleday Canada, Heather Marshall and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Marshall delivers an absolutely captivating novel. She has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and her books are always a must-read. Liberty Street is a dual-timeline story about courage, truth, and the silencing of women in the early 1960s—and their fight to finally be heard.

The narrative shifts between Emily in the early ’60s and Rachel in the ’90s. Emily, a reporter for Chatelaine, goes undercover in Toronto’s Mercer Women’s Prison to expose the deplorable conditions and mistreatment of the women held there. Getting into the prison is the easy part; getting out is far more dangerous. Rachel, a detective in the 1990s, is trying to solve a case involving women’s remains discovered in an unmarked grave, with clues leading back to the old prison. As the investigation unfolds, Rachel must confront her own painful history.

Both women carry deep trauma, and the novel explores their courage and resilience as they face horrific circumstances. I loved that the story is rooted in real events, and I found it a compelling, powerful read. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced copy of this book.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 one 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)

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Natalie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!! Heather Marshall is a national treasure.

[Kelly NuclearFiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧Song Pairing: Concrete Angel - Martina McBride

💭What I thought would happen:

Heather Marshall writes it, I read it.

This book was teased at the end of The Secret History of Audrey James and I’ve been waiting ever since!

📖What actually happens:

📍Toronto 1961
2️⃣Timelines & POVs
⚰️Unmarked grave
💉Torture
⛓️Asylum
📝Undercover journalist

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

Heather Marshall, I am not worthy of your beautiful writing 🫡

Women’s👏🏼Mental👏🏼Health👏🏼Representation👏🏼
This book was set in 61’ & 96’ while we have made strides how have we not gotten further in the last half a century?!

I read a lot of thriller, watch a lot of horror films and nothing and I mean NOTHING terrifies me more than the content and truth this book is based on.

It’s written so sooooo well. I am sobbing writing this review. I desperately want people to read this and give a silent prayer to all the women who fought and suffered for the freedoms we have today. 💔

[Yara El-Soueidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW TO COME

[Megan Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Marshall proved once again that she’s a fantastic writer and storyteller with this new novel. “Liberty Street” is such an excellent novel I didn’t want to put it down! Highly recommend!