Mrs. Walford

by Brenda Tyedmers

A dark secret. A second chance. 

Sadie Walford, the wife of a prominent Brooklyn, New York, ship broker and mother of two, registers at the Queen Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, using a false name. Two weeks later she is buried in the local cemetery. Or is she?

Without family or friends, health or hope, Sadie arrives already contemplating a drastic next step. But she hasn't counted on the likes of Eleanor, the hotel's no-nonsense bookkeeper, or Maggie, the annoyingly helpful head maid, who both have other ideas.

A chance encounter with a thief sets events in motion, and Sadie will be forced to choose: How far is she willing to go to conceal her past, preserve her freedom, and claim the future she desires?

Inspired by actual events, this epistolary tale of heartbreak, healing, and hope unfolds through journal entries, letters, recollections and accounts. Set in Halifax, Manhattan, and on Long Island during the Gilded Age, Mrs. Walford is a story of found family, love delayed, and the power of friendship in turbulent times.

Genres: Historical Fiction

410 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2025

About the author

Having recently retired from a career spanning environmental consulting, learning and development, and change management, Brenda is embracing life as an author of historical fiction. A produced playwright, acrylic artist, avid gardener, and community theatre set designer, Brenda has a weakness for potato chips (there are only two kinds: a full bag and an empty bag), is a sucker for a happy ending and literally finds story ideas in the dirt.  
 
Brenda and her husband have a wonderful son, live in Halifax with their 14-year-old Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Twig, and can frequently be found birdwatching and exploring the shores of Big Island, Nova Scotia.
 
Mrs. Walford is Brenda’s first novel, and she's working on her second.

Reviews

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book set mostly in the 1880’s and 1890’s will take you from Halifax to Brooklyn, the Tiffany workshops and beyond as the story of Mrs. Walford unfolds from a range of recollections and journal entries. This unique format will pull you in with the wide range of characters, locations and shifting story lines, it is how they all come together that is so special to watch.

From a young Indigenous girl, a hotel maid, boarding house friendships to Mr. Tiffany I loved the characters, the short chapters and a story that will make you think and feel. So glad I read this book it definitely pulled me in, in such a great way as the author explored the power of friendship, healing one’s mind and body and finding forgiveness.

And that cover I love it, the designers did such a great job capturing this time in history.

This is a book I definitely recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction, unique characters or the process of healing. I am so glad I read this debut book and will watch for future books by this author.

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book for my honest opinion.

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Walford is a well-written, cleverly plotted historical fiction novel by Canadian debut author, Brenda Tyedmers.

Set in the late 1800s and spanning over thirty years, the story unfolds through letters, notes, journal entries, and narrative format from the viewpoints of several characters. It is unclear how these elements and settings (New York and Halifax) are connected, but then several plotlines slowly start to crystallize as the novel unfolds, leading to the revelation at the end as to how the plotlines intertwine and fit together. This is a slow-burn read that is well worth the journey. On reading the last page, everything became clear and I was impressed at how the author had led the reader from the beginning cleverly to the end.

Inspired by real events, the research that the author did was evident in the details of historical events (e.g., the opening of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty, Tiffany glassmaking) and in the sense of time and place. I enjoyed the issues that this novel touched on including (morphine) addiction, friendship, found family, betrayal, and second chances. I also liked that the author included African Nova Scotian and Indigenous characters in the story.

Lovers of historical fiction should definitely check this one out.

Thanks to the author for sending me a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Walford is a debut novel by Canadian author Brenda Tyedmers. It is inspired by true events, set in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Brooklyn, NY in the Gilded Age. It is what I would consider a historical mystery. I love this genre.

I thought it was interesting that the author used letters and journal entries throughout the book. I enjoy this type of format. There are a number of characters and POV’s to keep track of, and at times that was a challenge for me, but taking a few notes can be helpful.

The story includes a lovely Christmas Day remembrance, which I quite enjoyed. It highlights themes of betrayal, forgiveness, friendship and second chances. If you’re a fan of historical fiction and mysteries too, you’ll have to check this one out. I really love the cover too.

3.75/5 stars

[Wendy Mugridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's nothing like thorough research to have for the basis for a book. Tyedmers has clearly worked very hard on that front. But you have to more for a novel. And does this book have that! The authenticity is there but it doesn't beat you over the head; it just flows. The dialogue is true to the time period. The characters are all well-drawn and realistic; their observations add depth and insight. The story is original and genuine. Your emotions will run high as you encounter the ups and downs. Settle in for quite a journey. Be prepared to change gears frequently but once you land in a chapter, you are drawn in and you feel as though you are there with the characters in the scene. I was very grateful to receive an advance copy from the author and will be happy to purchase more for Christmas presents!

[Anne Beadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fortunate to have received an advance copy of Mrs. Walford by Brenda Tyedmers. I was hooked from the start with the introduction of the main character and the intrigue around her. The rich character development had me rooting for Mrs. Walford and appreciating the community of friendship and support she gathered throughout her journey. I felt the thorough research on every page but it never interfered with the story. I highly recommend this book not only to fans of historical fiction but those looking for a story with intrigue, triumph over personal demons and heart.

[Cyndi Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Tyedmers’ debut novel, Mrs. Walford, is a story of friendship, love, family (the one you create, as well as the one into which you marry), and finding your true identity, set against the backdrop of Victorian society and the significant events taking place in the late 1800s in Nova Scotia and New York. Lovers of historical fiction will appreciate Tyedmers’ attention to accurate detail while telling an engaging story. In addition to exploring the societal role of women and the early treatment of opium addiction, Tyedmers also uses the celebration of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the dedication of the Statute of Liberty, the 600-foot move of the Brighton Beach Hotel in 1888, and work at the Tiffany glass studio in NYC to create authentic settings for significant events in her novel. Who is Mrs. Robert Walford? Who is Sadie Walford? Who is Sarah Saunders? How are they connected? What really happened at the Queen Hotel in the summer of 1887? The answers are scattered throughout the narrative which consists of a variety of perspectives from different characters. Lovers of a good mystery will appreciate how all the answers become obvious when the reader gets to the end and the truth of what really happened is revealed. Thanks to the author, Brenda Tyedmers, for providing me an advance copy of the book to read. I enjoyed the story immensely and am planning to purchase several copies as Christmas gifts as soon as the book is published.

[Sandra Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Walford is a beautifully written and meticulously researched debut novel.

From the very first pages, you are effortlessly drawn to the story, accompanying Mrs. Walford through several twists and turns that keep you hooked until the end.

As a Haligonian, it was a pleasure to imagine the city scenes that Tyedmers describes. Reading about the places Mrs. Walford visited throughout the city allowed me to step back in time and imagine what life would have been like in that era.

Thank you Brenda for an advance copy (ARC) and congratulations on such a marvellous debut. Bravo!

[Jacqueline Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Tyedmers’ debut novel, Mrs. Waldford, transports readers to the world of late 19th-century New York and Halifax, delivering a meticulously crafted historical narrative. Tyedmers’ captivating writing style draws the reader in from the very first page. Through the perspectives of compelling female protagonists, the novel delves into enduring themes of resilience, family bonds, and the transformative influence of the arts. Tyedmers’ exceptional research shines throughout the story, as she seamlessly intertwines personal journeys with significant moments in history, including Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the installation of the Statue of Liberty.

The engaging narrative and immersive setting of this book make it a must-read for fans of character-driven historical fiction. I am grateful to the author for providing an advanced copy and eagerly anticipate her future works.

[HEATHER MILLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Using letters and journals, Brenda Tyedmers carries us into the lives of several women in late Victorian Halifax and New York. Their stories give us glimpses of high and low society, the excitements of a changing world and the rare prospect of independence for women. I loved the way Tyedmers delves into the inner workings of things, like the Tiffany Glass Company and the moving of the Brighton Beach Hotel. The way her characters reveal themselves slowly is like peeling back the layers of an onion. The truth is only revealed at the end.
Thank you, Brenda, for chance to read an advance copy (ARC ).

[Gillian Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Walford, by Brenda Tyedmers, is a beautifully written debut historical fiction novel. I was captivated and engaged from the first page right through to the end. It was very descriptive, making me feel I had been transported back in time to the 1800’s.

The narrative is cleverly told using letters and notes which had been sent to different people, recollections of things and events, journals from the main character Sarah and from her doctor. There were also chapters told from various characters points of view. It was easy to follow the story even though the timeline went back and forwards.

The history of the period was well researched. It was fascinating learning about the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, in 1883, by Emily Warren Roebling. She was the first female engineer who guided the building of the bridge through to completion. It was also amazing to read about the Brighton Beach Hotel in Southern Brooklyn which in 1888 was moved 600 feet away from the sea to save it from erosion. I was particularly interested in reading about The Tiffany Glass Company in Manhattan and learning about the techniques used to make and design the large lead glass windows.

The story has many themes including secrets, mystery, lies, friendships and loss of, love, deceit, theft, discrimination towards women working, second chances, drug addiction and how to overcome it.

I liked Sarah, the main character in the book. She was a strong person through the highs and especially the lows of her life.

I highly recommend reading this wonderful book. Thank you to Brenda Tyedmers for allowing me to read this ARC of Mrs Walford. I thoroughly enjoyed this and give it five stars. Looking forward to her next book.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite my preference not to read alternating POV books, I was immediately and thoroughly captivated by this story. Admittedly, it can be tricky, especially at first, to distinguish who/what/when each character shift is, but once I got into the cadence of the story it wasn’t an issue.

Told solely through journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings, it made Gilded Age Brooklyn and Nova Scotia come alive for me. I felt I was there, and often stopped reading to research a bit, especially the details of late-1800s Long Island. Fans of Louis Tiffany will also enjoy the glimpse into his art and the workings of his company.

Quite a bit of mystery, rich character development, sadness, and love - all here. Without spoilers, there were two puzzles to me: who exactly sent the man to Halifax, and the feeling/character of Alice Williams. I was somewhat surprised by how that relationship ended, but not necessarily in a negative way. Humans are complex.

Mrs. Walford herself? Loved her. In all her iterations, with flaws, joys, and heartbreak.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[sunflowerbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute glorious, brilliant book.
This is the best full-bodied story of one woman's life. An unforgettable telling of heartbreak, healing and finding hope when everything could be so easily lost. Set in Halifax to Brooklyn New York it's set across three decades.

A must-read for anyone who is a historical fiction fan. l absolutely loved this book!!!!

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book.

Although Nova Scotia author Brenda Tyedmers has several scripts and other writings to her name, including two one-act plays about the mysterious Mrs. Walford of the title, this is her debut novel. As debuts go, it is remarkable for its elegant period-appropriate (late Victorian) writing and the way she captures voice so effectively, whether inflected by class, race, colonial or ‘mother country,’ or regional tones. That is an ambitious slate, and she carries it off very well.

The complexity of both plot and structure are also impressive. Mrs. Sadie Walford has multiple identities, most of them manufactured for her. Her true self, as opposed to her public identity, is revealed as the complex plot unwinds, and not in a linear manner. While this requires some effort, at times, to keep straight who she is, what she is doing, and why—she goes by various names—it also adds to the story’s intrigue.

The story actually starts close to the end of her Mrs. Walford stage. A desperately unhappy and emotionally wounded young mother, she has fled a ‘respectable’ middle-class life. By her early twenties, she seems to have everything that a woman of her times could be expected to want—an ambitious and exacting husband, Robert Walford, two bright young daughters, and a compassionate best friend, Alice Williams, to whom she is emotionally attached. Nonetheless, it is increasingly clear that Mrs Walford is an ‘ opium-eater. ‘ The Victorians demonized addicts, especially women, while making the drug widely and easily accessible in hundreds of inexpensive ‘patent medicines.’ Her habit makes her a liar and a thief, enrages her husband, terrifies her daughters, and destroys her relationship with Alice. When she checks into the Queen Hotel in Halifax, where she had frequently vacationed with her family, she is penniless and physically ill, using alcohol to ease the pains of addiction, and quite simply lost. Nor does she want to be found. She insists on registering as Mrs. Wolson, casting off her previous identities even though the husband and wife team who run the hotel know who she is from her many earlier visits with her husband and children.

Without revealing the various paths followed by the Sarah Saunders on she descends into the form of the fugitive Mrs Wolson, it’s safe to say that very little of her story is predictable. Much of what I believed about the major players, such as her husband and Alice, the hotel keepers, and even the intrepid maid Maggie, was off the mark. Yet as the intertwined strings are untangled, it all makes perfect sense. Mrs. Walford is a real historical figure, as are her husband, daughters, and a number of other characters, places and events: her case inspired scurrilous newspaper reports well through the summer of her visit in 1887.

The author provides a strong historical and regional context for several places, and spaces, on both sides of the border, from Nova Scotia to New York. I could practically smell Halifax, for all that my experience of that beautiful city is contemporary. As a Canadian (and a historian), I especially appreciated that side of the story. Mrs. Walford is a real historical figure, as are her husband, daughters, and a number of other characters. The discussions of stained glass production under Tiffany, and new approaches to medical treatment of addiction, are a bit information-heavy, but indicate the depth of her research.

Brenda Tyedmers effectively juggles dual timelines, multiple settings, and a large cast with several overlapping characters and storylines. Her novel deserves a wide readership, and I’m amazed that no major imprint picked it up. It’s far better than much of the historical fiction I’ve read this year put out by the big publishers.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I struggled with this book which was a bummer as I had been excited to read it based on the plot, as well as my love for historical fiction. To prelude the feedback I will share below: I have read dozens of large epic novels, easily following along with the world building/magic/characters, but honestly I was a bit turned around every other chapter of this book, for most of the book.


**spoilers**


What I had trouble with the most was the amount of characters introduced and how long it took for their stories to start connecting. I am not sure obvious connections started till about 50% progress. I do wish the Sarah Sanders chapters were more obvious/uncovered to be Mrs. Walford more earlier on. I think that would have had me more drawn into the historical pieces of the story before her treatment and also more in-tune with her story overall. Honestly, how the Sarah chapters were written felt as if they were a younger girl, maybe high school age so I may be oblivious but did not understand the connection till it was uncovered to be her new identity.

On that note, the chapters inconsistent use of different formatted dates or some dates with years, and some without also proved to be so confusing. Also, some of the chapters were so wonderfully short but then the Sarah chapters were lengthy, I think this contributed to whiplash between characters.

I will end this review by saying I applaud the writer for her discovery of some true historical elements to this story that led to the creation of the book and timelines, and characters. Having never written a book I hate to be critical of the art, but nevertheless I spent several hours reading it so I have shared my thoughts.

[Evelyn Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Tyedmers’ Mrs. Walford is a haunting, beautifully written Gilded Age tale of reinvention, resilience, and redemption. Told through an elegant epistolary format letters, journals, and personal accounts it captures the emotional complexity of a woman caught between the wreckage of her past and the fragile hope of a new beginning.

Sadie Walford is a heroine who lingers in the mind long after the final page. When she arrives in Halifax under an assumed name, her story feels like a quiet mystery but what follows is an unfolding revelation about loss, identity, and the courage to start over. Tyedmers renders Sadie’s inner life with subtlety and grace, making her both a product of her time and a timeless portrait of a woman reclaiming herself.

Set against the rich textures of Manhattan’s upper class and Halifax’s coastal austerity, Mrs. Walford bridges geography and emotion with remarkable ease. Every letter deepens the intrigue; every character from the pragmatic Eleanor to the tender-hearted Maggie feels alive and necessary.

This is historical fiction at its most intimate: rooted in truth, lifted by empathy, and written with the quiet force of lived emotion. Tyedmers has crafted a novel that feels both cinematic and deeply personal, where heartbreak and hope exist side by side.

[Bretton Loney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week I finished reading the delightful new novel, Mrs. Walford, an engaging and life-affirming story of adversity, struggle and ultimately redemption by debut Halifax novelist Brenda Tyedmers.
It’s a story torn from the pages of 1887 newspapers in Halifax and Brooklyn of a 30-year-old mother and wife of a prominent Brooklyn ship broker who registers at the Queen Hotel in Halifax, using a false name. Two weeks later she is buried in the local cemetery. Or is she?
Tyedmers tells her fictitious reimagining of this true-life story from various points of view and through reflections, letters and telegrams that give the reader a well-rounded view of events and of Sadie Walford, who is caught up in a life she never imagined.
Mrs. Walford takes us from a busy boarding house in Flushing, New York to the upscale Queen Hotel in Halifax and from Louis Comfort Tiffany's famous glass company in Manhattan to a doctor's private practice in Brooklyn.
Tyedmers weaves together a complex, personal story with the history of Halifax, New York and Brooklyn to create a splendidly uplifting tale.

[Debbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars actually!
First off, thank you to the author for the ARC of "Mrs. Walford". I liked everything about this book from the characters, both real and fictional, to the notes at the end. The story is well written in the language of the time (which doesn't always happen). There was nothing that threw me out of the story and thank you for that!
Being from Halifax, I loved meandering around the city as my grandparents and great-grandparents would have. Recognizing the street names and places was fun.
The story was absorbing and never faltered. It is written with journal entries, letters, and input from a varied cast of characters. The history is there and it's very well researched. The detail flows along without getting mired in any useless bits. I even liked the length - long enough that the ending doesn't feel rushed but not so long you grow bored, just right.
I could tell you more but I'd rather you read it for yourself! Enjoy!

[Heather C. Rafnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!

Though not my usual genre of choice, the blurb lured me in and I knew I had to read this piece.

This is a historical fiction that follows the journey of Mrs. Walford, as she travels through life's spoils, difficulties, and triumphs.

The book is a multiple POV book. It goes back and forth from different POVs, different dates, and many different locations. It makes the story seem quite confusing, but in the BEST possible way.
This book will have you thinking one thing, only to find out something completely different is the truth.

Tyedmers does an amazing job of mixing actual historical information with her own imagination to fill in important details that are often lacking, when telling a woman's "true" story.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some mystery within their historical fiction!

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

MRS. WALFORD takes us back to the late 1800s, to the story of a woman who, like many women of her time, had become trapped in a life she’d never wanted. She’s slowly unraveling until one intervening action changes everything.

We have quite a few POV characters in this story, which quite honestly, I often struggle with. But Brenda Tyedmers handles the transitions beautifully. Each character is distinct and interesting in their own right. Once I settled in, I enjoyed getting to know them all as the pieces gradually came together.

The dialogue feels genuine, and all the little details made the story come alive. We have mystery and complex relationships with depth and insight. A captivating story!

[Kim Wicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel was a pleasant surprise, especially since it’s not a genre I usually read. The author gives each character their own chapter, which lets us get to know them individually while seeing the plot develop.

I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic story, and the author lays it all out in three different timelines. Keep a close eye on the dates, so you know which timeline you're dealing with! Kudos to the Brenda Tyedmers for an excellent debut novel!