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The Duke's Secret
From the bestselling author of Elizabeth & Elizabeth and The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress, comes a remarkable work of historical fiction based on the author's own family history.
'Delivers the perfect blend of fact, fiction and mystery ... a rollicking good story' Kyra Geddes, bestselling author of The Story Thief
'A masterful storyteller, Williams brings history to life. Engaging characters and an exciting plot make this historical fiction at its best.' Belinda Alexandra, bestselling author of The Masterpiece
She is a young maid in a stately home; he is a dashing British army officer trapped in an unhappy marriage. The pair strike up a close friendship and, just as he's departing for war, they surrender to their passion.
Years later, he returns triumphant from defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, to reunite not only with his wife and their two sons, but also with the maid Mary Ann and their illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth. They all have to find a way through the tangle of affairs and betrayals, especially now he's hailed as the hero of the free world with a new the Duke of Wellington.
Two hundred years on, in Australia, a woman meets with her long-lost father and is told the family legend that they're descendants of a maid who worked for the Iron Duke. She sets out to prove once and for all whether or not this story is true, and what she discovers shocks everyone.
'Delivers the perfect blend of fact, fiction and mystery ... a rollicking good story' Kyra Geddes, bestselling author of The Story Thief
'A masterful storyteller, Williams brings history to life. Engaging characters and an exciting plot make this historical fiction at its best.' Belinda Alexandra, bestselling author of The Masterpiece
She is a young maid in a stately home; he is a dashing British army officer trapped in an unhappy marriage. The pair strike up a close friendship and, just as he's departing for war, they surrender to their passion.
Years later, he returns triumphant from defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, to reunite not only with his wife and their two sons, but also with the maid Mary Ann and their illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth. They all have to find a way through the tangle of affairs and betrayals, especially now he's hailed as the hero of the free world with a new the Duke of Wellington.
Two hundred years on, in Australia, a woman meets with her long-lost father and is told the family legend that they're descendants of a maid who worked for the Iron Duke. She sets out to prove once and for all whether or not this story is true, and what she discovers shocks everyone.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2026
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46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
1793, Knightsbridge, London. Mary Ann from the slums of Whitechapel was only thirteen when she’s employed as a maid at Kingston House and here she will meet a young man who will go on to be a famous officer in the British Army.
Arthur Wesley was the fifth son of the Earl of Mornington, his widowed mother sends him to study at a military academy in France, and he liked to gamble and was in debt.
He marries Catherine Pakenham and had two sons Arthur and Charles and due to his career he’s away from home, after his fighting days were over, he became a cabinet minister, politician and the prime minister of England.
The narrative has a dual timeline, it begins in 1793 and told from the perspectives of the two main female characters Mary Ann Marshall and over two hundred years later Ava Washington.
2025, Sydney, Australia. Ava is a newspaper journalist, she was raised by her mother Lotte and knows very little about her dad other than he was unfaithful. When she reunites with him, William informs her they're descendants of a maid who worked for the Duke of Wellington and she’s fascinated.
Ava’s determined to prove if it’s true or not, she starts by researching the Duke, where Arthur was born, lived, if he was married, had children and any illegitimate ones, battles he fought in and lead. Ava wonders if he has any living relatives and if she could get a DNA sample and a possible match?
I received a copy of The Duke’s Secret from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. Author Sue Williams explores the heroic historical figure, the man, his flaws, weaknesses, a skilfull tactician and legend, why she’s interested in him and she ties it all together perfectly in her compelling dual timeline novel. A tale about love, loyalty, sacrifice, duty, family, mystery, and infidelity, the reader is taken to Ireland, England, France and Belgium.
Ive read The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress, once again Ms Williams has done meticulous research and makes you feel invested in the story and she’s empathetic towards strong female characters and five stars from me.
Arthur Wesley was the fifth son of the Earl of Mornington, his widowed mother sends him to study at a military academy in France, and he liked to gamble and was in debt.
He marries Catherine Pakenham and had two sons Arthur and Charles and due to his career he’s away from home, after his fighting days were over, he became a cabinet minister, politician and the prime minister of England.
The narrative has a dual timeline, it begins in 1793 and told from the perspectives of the two main female characters Mary Ann Marshall and over two hundred years later Ava Washington.
2025, Sydney, Australia. Ava is a newspaper journalist, she was raised by her mother Lotte and knows very little about her dad other than he was unfaithful. When she reunites with him, William informs her they're descendants of a maid who worked for the Duke of Wellington and she’s fascinated.
Ava’s determined to prove if it’s true or not, she starts by researching the Duke, where Arthur was born, lived, if he was married, had children and any illegitimate ones, battles he fought in and lead. Ava wonders if he has any living relatives and if she could get a DNA sample and a possible match?
I received a copy of The Duke’s Secret from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. Author Sue Williams explores the heroic historical figure, the man, his flaws, weaknesses, a skilfull tactician and legend, why she’s interested in him and she ties it all together perfectly in her compelling dual timeline novel. A tale about love, loyalty, sacrifice, duty, family, mystery, and infidelity, the reader is taken to Ireland, England, France and Belgium.
Ive read The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress, once again Ms Williams has done meticulous research and makes you feel invested in the story and she’s empathetic towards strong female characters and five stars from me.
February 14, 2026
I loved this story, it is a story about the authors own family legend that has been passed down for seven generations and Sue Williams has put together a fabulous historical fiction with modern side to it set in two timelines starting in 1793 in Knightsbridge England and then in 2025 in Sydney Australia, a page turner.
1793 thirteen year old Mary Ann Marshall in working as a maid at Kingston House, here she meets one of the sons of the house Arthur Wesley, their first meeting was memorable and something that sparked a friendship of sorts all of those years ago, over the years Arthur became a British soldier and eventually became The Duke of Wellington, but their friendship remained strong, even after Arthur married Irish girl Catherine (Kitty) Pakenham and had two sons.
2025 Ash Washington is a young journalist for a Sydney newspaper and she is good at her job and has ambitions, she grew up with her Mum and stepdad always believing that her father died when she was two but when helping her mother clear her house to move she comes across a box of mail, unopened and addressed to her, it appears that her father is still alive and Ash is determined to meet him and when she does he tells her a family legend that they are descendants of the great Duke of Wellington, this starts Ash on the journey of a life-time to prove one way or the other if they really are.
What Ava discovers while traveling through different countries and researching brings to life the story of Mary Ann, their illegitimate daughter Elizabeth and Arthur and his family the betrayals the affairs that man had, it also brings to life his battles with Napoléon and what made him a hero to the people of England. This story is a history lesson and a moving family tale of legends carried down and the author has done it so well, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it t any lover of a good historical fiction with a lot of history.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
1793 thirteen year old Mary Ann Marshall in working as a maid at Kingston House, here she meets one of the sons of the house Arthur Wesley, their first meeting was memorable and something that sparked a friendship of sorts all of those years ago, over the years Arthur became a British soldier and eventually became The Duke of Wellington, but their friendship remained strong, even after Arthur married Irish girl Catherine (Kitty) Pakenham and had two sons.
2025 Ash Washington is a young journalist for a Sydney newspaper and she is good at her job and has ambitions, she grew up with her Mum and stepdad always believing that her father died when she was two but when helping her mother clear her house to move she comes across a box of mail, unopened and addressed to her, it appears that her father is still alive and Ash is determined to meet him and when she does he tells her a family legend that they are descendants of the great Duke of Wellington, this starts Ash on the journey of a life-time to prove one way or the other if they really are.
What Ava discovers while traveling through different countries and researching brings to life the story of Mary Ann, their illegitimate daughter Elizabeth and Arthur and his family the betrayals the affairs that man had, it also brings to life his battles with Napoléon and what made him a hero to the people of England. This story is a history lesson and a moving family tale of legends carried down and the author has done it so well, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it t any lover of a good historical fiction with a lot of history.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
February 20, 2026
The Duke’s Secret by @suewilliamswriter is a beautiful historical fiction read that weaves fact and fiction into an engaging and mysterious story based on the author’s own family history.
This was my first book by Williams and I would certainly read more by her. I found Mary Ann and Ava to both be engaging characters and their dual narratives and interlacing lives wove together beautifully.
The settings, the overall plot and the dual timelines blended the past and present seamlessly. Williams is a wonderful storyteller and I’d definitely recommend The Duke’s Secret to historical fiction fans.
Thank you to @allenandunwin for a copy to read 💕
This was my first book by Williams and I would certainly read more by her. I found Mary Ann and Ava to both be engaging characters and their dual narratives and interlacing lives wove together beautifully.
The settings, the overall plot and the dual timelines blended the past and present seamlessly. Williams is a wonderful storyteller and I’d definitely recommend The Duke’s Secret to historical fiction fans.
Thank you to @allenandunwin for a copy to read 💕
February 22, 2026
Many families have myths about their ancestors. These often involve descent from someone historically important via the “other side of the blanket”, or illegitimacy, and there’s at least one family member who is convinced it is true without any shred of evidence. My mother-in-law was adamant they had at least two Earls in the family tree, the Irish Earl of Shannon and possibly the Scottish Earl of Bute. She even wrote to the then Earl of Shannon setting her case, and, to his credit, he replied with a gentle let down. (We still have his letter.) She remained undeterred, however, and continued to tell everyone that his ancestor had his wicked way with an innocent Devon girl resulting in her family line even after subsequent genealogical research disproved it all.
My father’s sister had a painting of King Charles II in her bedroom, totally convinced for some irrational reason that she was related to him and therefore somehow a member of the House of Stuart. On my mother’s side, there were whispers about an ancestor being an indiscretion of Catherine the Great of Russia. All total nonsense.
Why do people think having royalty or prominent individuals in their DNA is important? Is it a sign of insecurity, a need to prove they are better than others for some reason? Go back far enough and we are all related to one another, so why does it matter? I guess the psychologists can explain it better.
This novel is inspired by a similar story in the author’s family tree and creates quite a number of issues for anyone with a healthy dose of scepticism about such notions.
Throughout history, the great, good - and not so good – men have left the lives of many women in disarray. The Duke of Wellington (of boots and Waterloo fame) was certainly no exception, with a notoriously unhappy marriage and a litany of affairs with a range of women from Ireland to India and throughout Europe. He had two legitimate sons, but it is highly likely he had other descendants.
Mary Ann Marshall is just thirteen and a maid in the London household of the Countess of Mornington when she first encounters the youthful Arthur Wesley (later Wellesley) and over the years they become firm friends and, much later, lovers. In time, Mary Ann gives birth to his daughter, Elizabeth. Complicating this situation is Arthur’s marriage to Catherine (Kitty) Pakenham. After being spurned several times, when he finally does marry her, he is on his way to becoming the greatest military man of his age but is no longer in love with her. His prowess on the battlefield is matched by the same in the bedroom and he has numerous affairs, including some with former mistresses of his arch nemesis, Napoleon. As their children grow up together, both Kitty and Mary Ann must deal with Arthur’s capriciousness with women and his increasing fame.
The modern-day narrative features Ava Washington, a Sydney journalist, who discovers she is reputedly descended from the Duke via an illegitimate line and she starts an investigation into her own family tree that includes digging in archival institutions and travel to places where he is known to have lived and the battlefields where he saw his greatest actions.
While Mary Ann’s story set in the early 1800s has the author's recognisable style with evidence of meticulous historical research, the contemporary component flounders. Not only is there repetition of what we’ve already discovered from the other narrative, there is over-explanation of facts and travel details that read like tourist brochure copy. Ava's complicated personal relationships and involvement in sideline research into property issues do little to advance the main objective.
As to characterisations, Mary Ann is amiable but unconvincing and naïve about the Duke’s intentions. Any chemistry in their relationship feels lukewarm at best. The seemingly empty-headed Kitty proves to be kind and forgiving in difficult circumstances. The Duke is attractive/repellent depending on your own opinion of how dynamic men treat women. Ava is annoying and silly at times; more than once she berates herself for not asking the right questions as a journalist. And as for her putting up with the truly awful Darren who gaslights her several times over, one despairs at her behaviour when any self-respecting intelligent woman would have sent him packing. (Am I expecting too much to have writers give us stronger 21st Century female protagonists with more self-respect and not be at the mercy of their fluttering hormones, easily swayed by men and therefore unable to assert themselves?)
At least the final resolution is probably the only feasible one.
Basically, there isn’t enough substance here for a novel of 440+ pages and it falls into the trap of research padding and oversimplification. And then there are the tacky allusive chapter titles that include: “Hunger Games”, “Sleeping with the Enemy”, “Lord of the Ring”, “Finally Facing his Waterloo”, “Dangerous Liaisons”, “Root Rat”, “Bridgerton Betrayal” and many others. Is this is a case of publishers wanting an author to “dumb down” or to write in a way that will appeal to younger generations of readers who find history and family research boring?
A genuine, first-person, non-fiction memoir by the author of how she sought to uncover the family legend would have been so much than better than this.
Not the best from this usually excellent author and it is hoped that she reverts to her earlier strengths and doesn’t engage in more dual timelines with contemporary components that have proved problematic for so many other historical novelists - and their readers! - since this became a trend.
Two stars for the contemporary narrative, three-and-a-half for the historical.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
My father’s sister had a painting of King Charles II in her bedroom, totally convinced for some irrational reason that she was related to him and therefore somehow a member of the House of Stuart. On my mother’s side, there were whispers about an ancestor being an indiscretion of Catherine the Great of Russia. All total nonsense.
Why do people think having royalty or prominent individuals in their DNA is important? Is it a sign of insecurity, a need to prove they are better than others for some reason? Go back far enough and we are all related to one another, so why does it matter? I guess the psychologists can explain it better.
This novel is inspired by a similar story in the author’s family tree and creates quite a number of issues for anyone with a healthy dose of scepticism about such notions.
Throughout history, the great, good - and not so good – men have left the lives of many women in disarray. The Duke of Wellington (of boots and Waterloo fame) was certainly no exception, with a notoriously unhappy marriage and a litany of affairs with a range of women from Ireland to India and throughout Europe. He had two legitimate sons, but it is highly likely he had other descendants.
Mary Ann Marshall is just thirteen and a maid in the London household of the Countess of Mornington when she first encounters the youthful Arthur Wesley (later Wellesley) and over the years they become firm friends and, much later, lovers. In time, Mary Ann gives birth to his daughter, Elizabeth. Complicating this situation is Arthur’s marriage to Catherine (Kitty) Pakenham. After being spurned several times, when he finally does marry her, he is on his way to becoming the greatest military man of his age but is no longer in love with her. His prowess on the battlefield is matched by the same in the bedroom and he has numerous affairs, including some with former mistresses of his arch nemesis, Napoleon. As their children grow up together, both Kitty and Mary Ann must deal with Arthur’s capriciousness with women and his increasing fame.
The modern-day narrative features Ava Washington, a Sydney journalist, who discovers she is reputedly descended from the Duke via an illegitimate line and she starts an investigation into her own family tree that includes digging in archival institutions and travel to places where he is known to have lived and the battlefields where he saw his greatest actions.
While Mary Ann’s story set in the early 1800s has the author's recognisable style with evidence of meticulous historical research, the contemporary component flounders. Not only is there repetition of what we’ve already discovered from the other narrative, there is over-explanation of facts and travel details that read like tourist brochure copy. Ava's complicated personal relationships and involvement in sideline research into property issues do little to advance the main objective.
As to characterisations, Mary Ann is amiable but unconvincing and naïve about the Duke’s intentions. Any chemistry in their relationship feels lukewarm at best. The seemingly empty-headed Kitty proves to be kind and forgiving in difficult circumstances. The Duke is attractive/repellent depending on your own opinion of how dynamic men treat women. Ava is annoying and silly at times; more than once she berates herself for not asking the right questions as a journalist. And as for her putting up with the truly awful Darren who gaslights her several times over, one despairs at her behaviour when any self-respecting intelligent woman would have sent him packing. (Am I expecting too much to have writers give us stronger 21st Century female protagonists with more self-respect and not be at the mercy of their fluttering hormones, easily swayed by men and therefore unable to assert themselves?)
At least the final resolution is probably the only feasible one.
Basically, there isn’t enough substance here for a novel of 440+ pages and it falls into the trap of research padding and oversimplification. And then there are the tacky allusive chapter titles that include: “Hunger Games”, “Sleeping with the Enemy”, “Lord of the Ring”, “Finally Facing his Waterloo”, “Dangerous Liaisons”, “Root Rat”, “Bridgerton Betrayal” and many others. Is this is a case of publishers wanting an author to “dumb down” or to write in a way that will appeal to younger generations of readers who find history and family research boring?
A genuine, first-person, non-fiction memoir by the author of how she sought to uncover the family legend would have been so much than better than this.
Not the best from this usually excellent author and it is hoped that she reverts to her earlier strengths and doesn’t engage in more dual timelines with contemporary components that have proved problematic for so many other historical novelists - and their readers! - since this became a trend.
Two stars for the contemporary narrative, three-and-a-half for the historical.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
March 27, 2026
Author Sue Williams has a family legend claiming that they are descendants of the Duke of Wellington and a maid named Mary Ann. The maid worked in the household, and the two had an affair. Soon after the Duke’s wife, Kitty, gave birth to two sons, the maid gave birth to a daughter.
I originally picked up this book because I wanted to explore the possibility of the Duke of Wellington having an illegitimate daughter, in order to prove how terribly he treated his wife Kitty and how much emotional suffering Kitty endured after marrying him. After finishing it, I was deeply disappointed because the rumor seems highly unreliable… The book uses a dual narrative: one thread tells a fictional love story between the maid and Wellington, while the other follows the author’s own investigation. This love story is entirely made up. Not only does it slander Wellington, it also portrays Kitty in a very negative light. The story completely contradicts the known personalities of both Wellington and Kitty.
At the beginning of the story, the maid Mary falls in love with Wellington right away and therefore rejects a footman’s advances. Wellington’s unhappy marriage to Kitty leads him to get Mary pregnant. This part could perhaps be plausible, but everything that follows is full of flaws.
Flaw 1: After giving birth to a daughter, Mary continues working as a maid in the household! This is ridiculous. Wellington was a man who valued honor highly; he would never have left the mother of his child in such a humiliating and miserable position.
Flaw 2: The daughter’s occupation is something you would never guess—she became a maid in the Wellington household! Would Wellington really allow his own daughter to work as a servant in his house? How is that even possible?
Flaw 3: Kitty tells the maid that she allows her to stay because she hopes that if Wellington is satisfied at home, he won’t go looking for women elsewhere… But Kitty wasn’t such a calculating person, was she? She was a kind-hearted, somewhat naive and overly good-natured woman.
Flaw 4: According to the records, this girl started working as a maid and later got married and left the Wellington household to work as a servant in another family. Presumably the author also realized that this treatment proved the girl was unlikely to be Wellington’s illegitimate daughter, so she invented a subplot to salvage the story. To fit the historical records, the author created a plot in which Wellington wanted to arrange a marriage for her to a nobleman. After marrying this noble, Wellington would acknowledge her as his illegitimate daughter. The girl refused because she had fallen in love with a footman and decided to marry him instead. After the wedding, Wellington provided them with a letter of recommendation, and the couple went elsewhere to work as servants.
My guess is this: Mary got pregnant out of wedlock while working in the Wellington household, but the father was not Wellington. Kitty, being a kind mistress, allowed her to give birth and raise the child at home. Later, Mary got married and changed jobs. Because she had previously been a servant in the Wellington household, the scandal unfairly fell on Wellington’s head. Kitty’s excessive kindness in not dismissing her created the perfect breeding ground for rumors and gossip.
The investigation sections—including attempts to do DNA testing with the current Duke’s descendants, searching family trees, visiting Waterloo, etc.—are incredibly dull and produced no meaningful results. The current Duke did not reply to the request for DNA testing, and he has no obligation to do so.
The Duke of Wellington’s elder brother, the Marquess Wellesley, was married twice but had no legitimate children. Despite this, he openly acknowledged seven illegitimate children. Given that his brother treated his illegitimate offspring so openly and generously, if Wellington had truly had an illegitimate daughter, there would have been no need to make her work as a maid in his own house.
I originally picked up this book because I wanted to explore the possibility of the Duke of Wellington having an illegitimate daughter, in order to prove how terribly he treated his wife Kitty and how much emotional suffering Kitty endured after marrying him. After finishing it, I was deeply disappointed because the rumor seems highly unreliable… The book uses a dual narrative: one thread tells a fictional love story between the maid and Wellington, while the other follows the author’s own investigation. This love story is entirely made up. Not only does it slander Wellington, it also portrays Kitty in a very negative light. The story completely contradicts the known personalities of both Wellington and Kitty.
At the beginning of the story, the maid Mary falls in love with Wellington right away and therefore rejects a footman’s advances. Wellington’s unhappy marriage to Kitty leads him to get Mary pregnant. This part could perhaps be plausible, but everything that follows is full of flaws.
Flaw 1: After giving birth to a daughter, Mary continues working as a maid in the household! This is ridiculous. Wellington was a man who valued honor highly; he would never have left the mother of his child in such a humiliating and miserable position.
Flaw 2: The daughter’s occupation is something you would never guess—she became a maid in the Wellington household! Would Wellington really allow his own daughter to work as a servant in his house? How is that even possible?
Flaw 3: Kitty tells the maid that she allows her to stay because she hopes that if Wellington is satisfied at home, he won’t go looking for women elsewhere… But Kitty wasn’t such a calculating person, was she? She was a kind-hearted, somewhat naive and overly good-natured woman.
Flaw 4: According to the records, this girl started working as a maid and later got married and left the Wellington household to work as a servant in another family. Presumably the author also realized that this treatment proved the girl was unlikely to be Wellington’s illegitimate daughter, so she invented a subplot to salvage the story. To fit the historical records, the author created a plot in which Wellington wanted to arrange a marriage for her to a nobleman. After marrying this noble, Wellington would acknowledge her as his illegitimate daughter. The girl refused because she had fallen in love with a footman and decided to marry him instead. After the wedding, Wellington provided them with a letter of recommendation, and the couple went elsewhere to work as servants.
My guess is this: Mary got pregnant out of wedlock while working in the Wellington household, but the father was not Wellington. Kitty, being a kind mistress, allowed her to give birth and raise the child at home. Later, Mary got married and changed jobs. Because she had previously been a servant in the Wellington household, the scandal unfairly fell on Wellington’s head. Kitty’s excessive kindness in not dismissing her created the perfect breeding ground for rumors and gossip.
The investigation sections—including attempts to do DNA testing with the current Duke’s descendants, searching family trees, visiting Waterloo, etc.—are incredibly dull and produced no meaningful results. The current Duke did not reply to the request for DNA testing, and he has no obligation to do so.
The Duke of Wellington’s elder brother, the Marquess Wellesley, was married twice but had no legitimate children. Despite this, he openly acknowledged seven illegitimate children. Given that his brother treated his illegitimate offspring so openly and generously, if Wellington had truly had an illegitimate daughter, there would have been no need to make her work as a maid in his own house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Duke’s Secret is a beautifully written, five-star novel that blends romance, mystery, and emotional depth through a dual-timeline narrative led by two female protagonists, one living in the past and one in the present.
In the historical timeline, the story follows a strong yet constrained young woman navigating life within the rigid expectations of aristocratic society. As a protagonist, she is thoughtful, resilient, and deeply affected by the secrets surrounding the Duke. Her storyline explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the cost of silence in a world where women have limited power but profound emotional strength.
The modern timeline introduces a second female protagonist whose journey of discovery anchors the present-day story. As she uncovers the truth about the past, she becomes increasingly connected to the historical heroine’s experiences. Her perspective brings curiosity and emotional reflection, allowing readers to see how long-buried secrets continue to shape lives generations later.
The Author, Sue Williams, skillfully intertwines the lives of these two women across time. The dual perspectives are seamlessly woven, creating tension, intrigue, and a deeply satisfying emotional payoff. Themes of identity, love, resilience, and redemption resonate strongly in both timelines.
Williams research, as always, is evident in her writing. And her personal connection to both protagonists compliments the authenticity included in both timelines.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read. With engaging characters, elegant prose, and a compelling structure, The Duke’s Secret is an absorbing read for fans of historical romance and dual-timeline storytelling. The parallel journeys of its two female protagonists make this novel both moving and unforgettable.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the historical timeline, the story follows a strong yet constrained young woman navigating life within the rigid expectations of aristocratic society. As a protagonist, she is thoughtful, resilient, and deeply affected by the secrets surrounding the Duke. Her storyline explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the cost of silence in a world where women have limited power but profound emotional strength.
The modern timeline introduces a second female protagonist whose journey of discovery anchors the present-day story. As she uncovers the truth about the past, she becomes increasingly connected to the historical heroine’s experiences. Her perspective brings curiosity and emotional reflection, allowing readers to see how long-buried secrets continue to shape lives generations later.
The Author, Sue Williams, skillfully intertwines the lives of these two women across time. The dual perspectives are seamlessly woven, creating tension, intrigue, and a deeply satisfying emotional payoff. Themes of identity, love, resilience, and redemption resonate strongly in both timelines.
Williams research, as always, is evident in her writing. And her personal connection to both protagonists compliments the authenticity included in both timelines.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read. With engaging characters, elegant prose, and a compelling structure, The Duke’s Secret is an absorbing read for fans of historical romance and dual-timeline storytelling. The parallel journeys of its two female protagonists make this novel both moving and unforgettable.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reviewed by Trish Palmer for Allen and Unwin and Bluewolf Reviews.
Sue Williams is renown for her accurate and detailed research on which her books are based. Her facts are referenced carefully. Her previous book dealt with early Australian History and highlighted the role that women played to support men founding the young colony.
The Dukes Secret investigates the life of the Duke of Wellington and surprisingly involves Sue’s family. She has carefully woven details about the Duke with emphasis on the women he called family. His victories on the battlefield, while impressive, were not reflected in his behaviour at home.
This story begins in 1793 with a young maid servant in the duke’s large house in London. We learn about her story and then the following chapter begins in 2025, with a young lady called Ava Washington. The distinction between the two time periods is never confusing.
Ava has discovered that she may be related to the Duke of Wellington through her father. He has passed on the family story with some names but would love to discover the truth to the family rumours. As Ava is a journalist this catches her interest and she decides to investigate this fully.
The young journalist travels to England and while she is unearthing facts and documents on the Duke, the interspersing chapters focus on the young housemaid. Her story and that of the day-to-day life of the household fill in the missing details. Ava discovers many fascinating connections as she searches.
Meanwhile, Ava has a story of her own, and we learn that she has a boyfriend who works with her and is less than scrupulous. There are many points of interest to enjoy in this story, and the historical aspect is again enlightening.
Sue Williams is renown for her accurate and detailed research on which her books are based. Her facts are referenced carefully. Her previous book dealt with early Australian History and highlighted the role that women played to support men founding the young colony.
The Dukes Secret investigates the life of the Duke of Wellington and surprisingly involves Sue’s family. She has carefully woven details about the Duke with emphasis on the women he called family. His victories on the battlefield, while impressive, were not reflected in his behaviour at home.
This story begins in 1793 with a young maid servant in the duke’s large house in London. We learn about her story and then the following chapter begins in 2025, with a young lady called Ava Washington. The distinction between the two time periods is never confusing.
Ava has discovered that she may be related to the Duke of Wellington through her father. He has passed on the family story with some names but would love to discover the truth to the family rumours. As Ava is a journalist this catches her interest and she decides to investigate this fully.
The young journalist travels to England and while she is unearthing facts and documents on the Duke, the interspersing chapters focus on the young housemaid. Her story and that of the day-to-day life of the household fill in the missing details. Ava discovers many fascinating connections as she searches.
Meanwhile, Ava has a story of her own, and we learn that she has a boyfriend who works with her and is less than scrupulous. There are many points of interest to enjoy in this story, and the historical aspect is again enlightening.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Duke's Secret" (Kindle Edition)
by Sue Williams
This is the second book I have read by Sue Williams, and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of her works. In "The Duke's Secret," the narrative features a captivating dual timeline that intricately weaves together two distinct eras. The first timeline is set in Knightsbridge, England, in the year 1793, during a time of social upheaval and shifting class structures. It follows the life of a determined young maid, who strives to improve her social standing while developing an intense, forbidden romance with her employer—a nobleman whose title and societal expectations complicate their relationship. As their love deepens, she ultimately faces the profound consequences of their union, including an unexpected pregnancy that could alter her fate forever.
The second timeline takes place in the vibrant, modern city of Sydney, Australia, in 2025. It centres around a young woman named Clara, who is on a quest for personal identity and self-discovery. She navigates the challenges of contemporary life while grappling with a haunting secret from her past: the identity of her father, whom she has never met. As Clara uncovers the truth about her family's history, the connections between her and the maid from the 18th century begin to unfold, revealing surprising links that bridge the gap between their lives and times.
Through expertly crafted characters and a richly detailed setting, Williams draws readers into a tale of love, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for belonging.
by Sue Williams
This is the second book I have read by Sue Williams, and I have thoroughly enjoyed both of her works. In "The Duke's Secret," the narrative features a captivating dual timeline that intricately weaves together two distinct eras. The first timeline is set in Knightsbridge, England, in the year 1793, during a time of social upheaval and shifting class structures. It follows the life of a determined young maid, who strives to improve her social standing while developing an intense, forbidden romance with her employer—a nobleman whose title and societal expectations complicate their relationship. As their love deepens, she ultimately faces the profound consequences of their union, including an unexpected pregnancy that could alter her fate forever.
The second timeline takes place in the vibrant, modern city of Sydney, Australia, in 2025. It centres around a young woman named Clara, who is on a quest for personal identity and self-discovery. She navigates the challenges of contemporary life while grappling with a haunting secret from her past: the identity of her father, whom she has never met. As Clara uncovers the truth about her family's history, the connections between her and the maid from the 18th century begin to unfold, revealing surprising links that bridge the gap between their lives and times.
Through expertly crafted characters and a richly detailed setting, Williams draws readers into a tale of love, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for belonging.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel has two timelines, one in the present and one historical. Both are written in third person present tense. The past story follows Mary-Anne a maid in the house of Arthur Wellesly, who ends up being the Duke of Wellington. The current timeline follows Ava, who, in 2025 is a journalist working full time for a newspaper. The main problem with the 'past' timeline is that, while this book is clearly meticulously researched, the research is all dumped in there. Nothing to do with the plot, it feels like chunks of the second half have been copied and pasted from Wikipedia, and then the words 'Mary-Anne read that in the newspaper' tacked on to give it context. The plot written in the present veers from predictable to odd and back. There are so many needless details (to get to some documents Ava shows her passport and drivers licence). The mood of librarians (always bad) is always shared. Ava is a non-drinker. It's not part of the plot, just something we are repeatedly told. It's just scattergun. Perhaps part of the problem is that I never really cared if the story about the Duke's descendants was true, so I never cared what Ava discovered.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Duke’s Secret by Sue Williams
🌟 4 / 5 – I loved it!
This dual timeline novel tells the stories of two women whose lives share similarities they would’ve never expected. This book is told in third person POV.
In 1793, Mary Ann is a 13 year old who gets a job working in the Wesley family home as a maid. In Mary Ann’s timeline, years pass as her life and the lives of her masters’ change.
In 2025, Ava discovers that the father she had believed all her life to be dead is actually alive. From then, her life is changed. She learns of the story of William Williams and the potential of aristocracy in her family tree.
Sue Williams’ ability to blend the two timelines is masterful. The parallels between Mary Ann and Ava’s stories is delightful and engaging. This book was the perfect blend of historical and contemporary fiction. Sue has done her research and it shows. What a brilliant story.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book. I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to Sue Williams, Allen & Unwin, and NetGalley.
🌟 4 / 5 – I loved it!
This dual timeline novel tells the stories of two women whose lives share similarities they would’ve never expected. This book is told in third person POV.
In 1793, Mary Ann is a 13 year old who gets a job working in the Wesley family home as a maid. In Mary Ann’s timeline, years pass as her life and the lives of her masters’ change.
In 2025, Ava discovers that the father she had believed all her life to be dead is actually alive. From then, her life is changed. She learns of the story of William Williams and the potential of aristocracy in her family tree.
Sue Williams’ ability to blend the two timelines is masterful. The parallels between Mary Ann and Ava’s stories is delightful and engaging. This book was the perfect blend of historical and contemporary fiction. Sue has done her research and it shows. What a brilliant story.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book. I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to Sue Williams, Allen & Unwin, and NetGalley.
March 5, 2026
What if a long-held family legend connected you to the Duke of Wellington?
That intriguing idea is at the heart of The Duke’s Secret, the latest historical novel by Sue Williams.
This novel is a little different from the other three pictured here—but just as compelling. In this story, Sue weaves a long-held legend from her own family together with the life of the Duke of Wellington.
Sue herself admits it may never be possible to prove the legend. Yet for generations her family has believed that they might be descendants of the “Iron Duke” himself.
Through dual timelines, I discovered more about this persistent family legend while also following the Duke’s rise to fame and imagining what family life might have been like at the time. I’m no expert, but the historical detail felt thoroughly researched, and I was quickly absorbed in the story—I could almost see the scenes unfolding in front of me. Sue Williams’ background as a journalist and nonfiction writer really shows in the rich historical detail throughout the novel.
I also highly recommend the other three novels pictured if you’d like to learn about some remarkable women from Australia’s history. I loved these engaging stories so much that they’ve even inspired me to start reading nonfiction about the real women behind them. They would also make great picks if you’re planning to read more Australian authors for #AussieApril 📚
That intriguing idea is at the heart of The Duke’s Secret, the latest historical novel by Sue Williams.
This novel is a little different from the other three pictured here—but just as compelling. In this story, Sue weaves a long-held legend from her own family together with the life of the Duke of Wellington.
Sue herself admits it may never be possible to prove the legend. Yet for generations her family has believed that they might be descendants of the “Iron Duke” himself.
Through dual timelines, I discovered more about this persistent family legend while also following the Duke’s rise to fame and imagining what family life might have been like at the time. I’m no expert, but the historical detail felt thoroughly researched, and I was quickly absorbed in the story—I could almost see the scenes unfolding in front of me. Sue Williams’ background as a journalist and nonfiction writer really shows in the rich historical detail throughout the novel.
I also highly recommend the other three novels pictured if you’d like to learn about some remarkable women from Australia’s history. I loved these engaging stories so much that they’ve even inspired me to start reading nonfiction about the real women behind them. They would also make great picks if you’re planning to read more Australian authors for #AussieApril 📚
February 8, 2026
I read this book like it was an extended episode of my favourite show, Who Do You Think You Are? While it’s a fictionalised account, it’s inspired by the amazing family legend passed down in the author’s family that they are related to the Duke of Wellington.
In the modern-day narrative, we meet Ava, a young journalist on the lowest rung at a newspaper (a role 20-something-year-old me totally related to). She meets her long-lost father and discovers the family legend they’re descended from a tryst between the Duke of Wellington and a young maid in his estate. Ava agrees to research the legend and prove once and for all if it’s true.
We jump back to the late 18th century when young Mary Ann lands a job in the home of the future Duke. At first, the unlikely pair strike up an unusual friendship. But over time it becomes a romantic connection and Mary Ann bears the army officer a child. Strangely, she is allowed to stay on at the house, and raise their young daughter there while she continues to work. But when he returns as the hero of Waterloo, to his wife and sons, as well as Mary Ann and their daughter, tensions in the household grow.
I love the way Williams blends her fictionalised narrative into the well-researched real events - a trademark of Williams’ historical novels - to create this thoroughly entertaining story.
I learned so much about Wellington that I did not know, and which led me down a Google rabbit hole in a way only good books ever do.
In the modern-day narrative, we meet Ava, a young journalist on the lowest rung at a newspaper (a role 20-something-year-old me totally related to). She meets her long-lost father and discovers the family legend they’re descended from a tryst between the Duke of Wellington and a young maid in his estate. Ava agrees to research the legend and prove once and for all if it’s true.
We jump back to the late 18th century when young Mary Ann lands a job in the home of the future Duke. At first, the unlikely pair strike up an unusual friendship. But over time it becomes a romantic connection and Mary Ann bears the army officer a child. Strangely, she is allowed to stay on at the house, and raise their young daughter there while she continues to work. But when he returns as the hero of Waterloo, to his wife and sons, as well as Mary Ann and their daughter, tensions in the household grow.
I love the way Williams blends her fictionalised narrative into the well-researched real events - a trademark of Williams’ historical novels - to create this thoroughly entertaining story.
I learned so much about Wellington that I did not know, and which led me down a Google rabbit hole in a way only good books ever do.
December 2, 2025
This was a very interesting read, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the characters and mystery
Of this beautiful book. A wonderful historical fiction based on the author’s family history.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publsiher Allen & Unwin and to Sue Williams for a beautiful story-ARC.
Of this beautiful book. A wonderful historical fiction based on the author’s family history.
Thank you NetGalley and to the publsiher Allen & Unwin and to Sue Williams for a beautiful story-ARC.
February 11, 2026
Another wonderful historical fiction novel by Sue Williams. I always learn something new from her novels and my love for family history was captivated in this book. I'm looking forward to visiting Apsley House during my upcoming visit to London!
February 22, 2026
I really have enjoyed all of Sue Williams books and this was no exception. However, I felt it was a little long and the second story of Ava was a little distracting with way too much detail eg DNA testing. Hence the reduced score. Still an enjoyable read.
March 10, 2026
Having read and enjoyed Sue’s previous books, I was delighted to get my hands on this one. In this she explores a family story of a connection to the Duke of Wellington. It was a fabulous read, both for the history and for the characters, in both timelines.
March 26, 2026
This is another excellent historical fiction story by this author. Though I didn't warm to it straight away, the story gathered momentum. Did the author find what she was looking for? You'll need to read the book to find out. 😉
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Once again, Sue Williams catapults us into the past. But this time she delves deep into her own family folklore to remind us that history may be a lot closer than we think! The Duke’s Secret delivered the perfect blend of fact, fiction and mystery which kept me turning its pages well into the night. Delving deep into the archives and her own family folklore, Sue Williams delivers a rollicking good story and a history lesson like no other.
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