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Mrs. Benedict Arnold
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26A riveting reimagining of the young woman who almost ended the American Revolution.
Philadelphia in the 1770s. Peggy Shippen longs for the war she’s living through to end. Though not always appreciated at home, she finds her curiosity is welcomed by a lively and influential circle of friends, including a glamorous rising star in the British army, Captain John André.
When the war separates them, Peggy is devastated—both by his absence and the horrors of ongoing conflict—before finding consolation in a man whose heroics for the Patriots have captured the world’s imagination: General Benedict Arnold.
As she trades Loyalist balls for Patriot salons, entertaining the most prominent figures of early America, and navigating the country’s lethal political currents, she conceives of an audacious scheme to achieve peace and her family’s survival, unleashing what would become the most famous act of treason in history.
When uncertainty and bloodshed are the only constants, Mrs. Benedict Arnold asks, how far will one woman go for safety?
Philadelphia in the 1770s. Peggy Shippen longs for the war she’s living through to end. Though not always appreciated at home, she finds her curiosity is welcomed by a lively and influential circle of friends, including a glamorous rising star in the British army, Captain John André.
When the war separates them, Peggy is devastated—both by his absence and the horrors of ongoing conflict—before finding consolation in a man whose heroics for the Patriots have captured the world’s imagination: General Benedict Arnold.
As she trades Loyalist balls for Patriot salons, entertaining the most prominent figures of early America, and navigating the country’s lethal political currents, she conceives of an audacious scheme to achieve peace and her family’s survival, unleashing what would become the most famous act of treason in history.
When uncertainty and bloodshed are the only constants, Mrs. Benedict Arnold asks, how far will one woman go for safety?
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 28, 2026
2 people are currently reading
10233 people want to read
About the author
Emma Parry
10 books41 followersAuthor and Agent at Janklow & Nesbit in NYC
My first novel MRS BENEDICT ARNOLD comes out April 2026
I live in the Hudson Valley
My first novel MRS BENEDICT ARNOLD comes out April 2026
I live in the Hudson Valley
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an account of an act of treason from Peggy Arnold's view during the American Revolutionary War. Peggy is a teenager coming of age during the war and is tired of the bloodshed and the limits put on her family and friends. Her actions remind me of a spoilt teenager only concerned about herself. She believes herself in love with Andre but soon turns her attention to General Arnold when Andre goes to New York. She is flattered by his attention and gifts. Once married Peggy begins to see how Benedict is haunted by past war actions and his request for financial compensation. Her scheme to rectify Benedict's problems and agreed to by Benedict begs many questions. Were they thinking clearly or were they acting on emotions? Selfishness? Anger? "Mrs. Benedict Arnold," by Emma Parry, is an historical fiction that readers will find a thought provoking account of treason.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and this review is my opinion.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley and this review is my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Emma Parry’s debut historical fiction takes a fresh look at Peggy Shippen, drawing on newly uncovered material to reframe her involvement in Benedict Arnold’s infamous treason. The research really shines —Parry clearly did her homework, and I appreciated seeing Peggy portrayed with more nuance than she usually gets.
That said, the pacing didn’t always work for me. The beginning dragged, and the ending leaned heavily on narrative summary, which softened the emotional impact of the story. I was also pulled out of the historical setting more than once by very modern language choices (“upcycle” outfits, a dress that would “slay,” “riffed" on ideas, shrank from it like an "allergy," a promotion being “wish‑list stuff,” a band playing “stapes on repeat,” etc.). Those moments felt jarring in an otherwise carefully constructed 18th‑century world.
Still, there’s a lot of promise in Parry’s writing, and I enjoyed her perspective on Peggy. I’m giving this one 3 stars and will definitely keep an eye out for whatever she writes next.
This was an ARC review for NetGalley.
That said, the pacing didn’t always work for me. The beginning dragged, and the ending leaned heavily on narrative summary, which softened the emotional impact of the story. I was also pulled out of the historical setting more than once by very modern language choices (“upcycle” outfits, a dress that would “slay,” “riffed" on ideas, shrank from it like an "allergy," a promotion being “wish‑list stuff,” a band playing “stapes on repeat,” etc.). Those moments felt jarring in an otherwise carefully constructed 18th‑century world.
Still, there’s a lot of promise in Parry’s writing, and I enjoyed her perspective on Peggy. I’m giving this one 3 stars and will definitely keep an eye out for whatever she writes next.
This was an ARC review for NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
As we near our 250th celebrations, here is the other side of the story! We often hear about the revolutionaries, the founding fathers, the patriots and the minutemen - but not much about the loyalists who were not interested in their lives being disrupted or the colonies being separated from the King.
The Shippen family, especially the young Peggy, were interested in parties and preserving their way of life waiting for the patriots to give up and go home. But they had to live in this world, so did their best to put on a show or be rooted out.
I loved the history of the book. The imagery of the place and time was strong. I didn't like her at all which is probably part storytelling and part patriotism. Her shallowness and boy-crazy attitude early on was trying.
The book was really quite slow to get going and it took about halfway in for it to start moving along and get exciting - probably lending to too many details early on that weren't necessary. My big issue with this book, and why it won't work for my book club, is that the author does a fantastic job of using colonial language but then whiplashes to modern terms and expressions. Once you spotted one, you couldn't help seeing them everywhere. Was this an artistic choice? I kept stopping and trying to look up the origins of some of the expressions used, taking me out of the story.
I liked it for the history and for the last quarter's excitement. I needed more authenticity and maybe even more authors notes for a historical fiction.
3*
As we near our 250th celebrations, here is the other side of the story! We often hear about the revolutionaries, the founding fathers, the patriots and the minutemen - but not much about the loyalists who were not interested in their lives being disrupted or the colonies being separated from the King.
The Shippen family, especially the young Peggy, were interested in parties and preserving their way of life waiting for the patriots to give up and go home. But they had to live in this world, so did their best to put on a show or be rooted out.
I loved the history of the book. The imagery of the place and time was strong. I didn't like her at all which is probably part storytelling and part patriotism. Her shallowness and boy-crazy attitude early on was trying.
The book was really quite slow to get going and it took about halfway in for it to start moving along and get exciting - probably lending to too many details early on that weren't necessary. My big issue with this book, and why it won't work for my book club, is that the author does a fantastic job of using colonial language but then whiplashes to modern terms and expressions. Once you spotted one, you couldn't help seeing them everywhere. Was this an artistic choice? I kept stopping and trying to look up the origins of some of the expressions used, taking me out of the story.
I liked it for the history and for the last quarter's excitement. I needed more authenticity and maybe even more authors notes for a historical fiction.
3*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5/5
Miss Benedict Arnold is a work of historical fiction set in the 1770s, a pivotal era in the colonial United States. Told from the perspective of Peggy Shippen, a young woman coming of age in a world filled with political unrest, hatred, and violence, the story offers readers a glimpse into the deeply personal side of the American Revolution. We see how the turmoil of the time didn't just shape a nation - headshaped families, relationships, and individual identity.
The novel blended historical facts with emotional debt. Peggy's lying to be loved, to find peace, and to have her own voice in a society where a woman's thoughts were expected to remain quiet was powerful. Even as she desired a normal life, there was also a clear yearning for something more - for independence, for purpose, and perhaps for control in a time when women had very little.
Overall, this book felt slow to me. I kept waiting to feel fully immersed, but something was missing. I love this time. - History has always been one of my favorite subjects. Yet I didn't feel as drawn into Peggy's world as I expected to be. The story leaned heavily into her personality and social dynamics. I found myself wishing for a deeper focus on the relationship with Benedict Arnold rather than a flirtatious and romantic distraction with other men.
It wasn't a bad read - it just didn't capture me the way I had hoped. I'm hoping when the audio comes out I will have a better draw to the book.
Miss Benedict Arnold is a work of historical fiction set in the 1770s, a pivotal era in the colonial United States. Told from the perspective of Peggy Shippen, a young woman coming of age in a world filled with political unrest, hatred, and violence, the story offers readers a glimpse into the deeply personal side of the American Revolution. We see how the turmoil of the time didn't just shape a nation - headshaped families, relationships, and individual identity.
The novel blended historical facts with emotional debt. Peggy's lying to be loved, to find peace, and to have her own voice in a society where a woman's thoughts were expected to remain quiet was powerful. Even as she desired a normal life, there was also a clear yearning for something more - for independence, for purpose, and perhaps for control in a time when women had very little.
Overall, this book felt slow to me. I kept waiting to feel fully immersed, but something was missing. I love this time. - History has always been one of my favorite subjects. Yet I didn't feel as drawn into Peggy's world as I expected to be. The story leaned heavily into her personality and social dynamics. I found myself wishing for a deeper focus on the relationship with Benedict Arnold rather than a flirtatious and romantic distraction with other men.
It wasn't a bad read - it just didn't capture me the way I had hoped. I'm hoping when the audio comes out I will have a better draw to the book.
Review of advance copy
I couldn't put it down and was sorry when it ended. Emma Parry gives a whole new prospective on the events involving a man we've only known as a traitor to his country. Come to learn is wasn't that simple. What you need to remember about historical fiction is it's enveloped in what actually occurred.
Peggy Shippen Arnold wasn't the cunning woman she was made out to be in our childhood history books. She was an 18 year-old spirited loving girl who everyone liked and admired.
She met one man named John Andre she loved deeply who because of circumstances couldn't be with, then fell in love, marrying another she tried desperately to save.
You can't help cheering for her during such perilous times we can only imagine. When John Andre is executed as a spy, the scene Parry depicts as he's led to the tree where he'll breathe his last had me sobbing...the grace of him. If I sound dramatic, be that as it may. Mrs. Benedict Arnold is an amazing read and its author, the tenderest of writers.
Peggy Shippen Arnold wasn't the cunning woman she was made out to be in our childhood history books. She was an 18 year-old spirited loving girl who everyone liked and admired.
She met one man named John Andre she loved deeply who because of circumstances couldn't be with, then fell in love, marrying another she tried desperately to save.
You can't help cheering for her during such perilous times we can only imagine. When John Andre is executed as a spy, the scene Parry depicts as he's led to the tree where he'll breathe his last had me sobbing...the grace of him. If I sound dramatic, be that as it may. Mrs. Benedict Arnold is an amazing read and its author, the tenderest of writers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
A very strong and supported historical telling of the life of Peggy Shippen, the wife of Benedict Arnold. As history has portrayed Benedict as the ultimate betrayer, this look at Peggy's life as well as other key figures during the American Revolution has been deeply documented and is a great read for anyone who loves reading about early American and colonial history. I couldn't get enough of it and as a self taught historian, this is a book I definitely would add to my library!
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t exactly love Mrs. Benedict Arnold. While I appreciated the historical context and the story behind it, I found the book rather boring at times. The subject matter was new to me, so I did enjoy learning about a time period I wasn’t very familiar with. However, I struggled to get through it. There didn’t seem to be much action, and had a lot dialect which made it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I respect the research done for this story, but it wasn’t a particularly enjoyable read for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I very much enjoyed this book. I enjoyed experiencing revolutionary war Philadelphia and meeting historical figures. I actually didn’t know what Benedict Arnold did exactly when he committed treason. I’m glad I know now!
I liked seeing a very human side to the story and how he and Peggy were depicted as complicated, imperfect people. I liked reading about how the people of this time and place had different allegiances and how difficult the time was.
It was really interesting and enjoyable.
I liked seeing a very human side to the story and how he and Peggy were depicted as complicated, imperfect people. I liked reading about how the people of this time and place had different allegiances and how difficult the time was.
It was really interesting and enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC through Netgalley. It was refreshing to read a book about Peggy Shippen from her POV instead of servant girls such as in Finishing Becca and The Traitor's Wife. I liked the dialouge and the writer getting into Peggy's head of why she encouraged Arnold to betray West Point. The book did drag on at times and the ending felt rushed but it was a satisfying read.
November 27, 2025
Such well researched history and the characters are brought to life. I enjoyed reading about the 1700’s in Philadelphia. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews