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The Innkeeper's Wife: A Novel of Bertha Palmer and Gilded Age Chicago
In the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, Bertha Honoré Palmer finds her world upended. The city is in ashes, fortunes are uncertain, and the future she once imagined has vanished. Her husband considers leaving Chicago, but Bertha insists it is their duty to stay and rebuild, whatever the cost.
The Palmer House rises as a symbol of renewal, and within its glittering rooms, Bertha learns how influence is built and wielded, shaped through presence, persuasion, and restraint.
By the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, she steps onto an international stage as president of the Board of Lady Managers, where competing interests collide, alliances fracture, and every advance carries consequence.
From ashes to the White City, The Innkeeper’s Wife is the story of a woman navigating duty, marriage, and power while making history.
The Palmer House rises as a symbol of renewal, and within its glittering rooms, Bertha learns how influence is built and wielded, shaped through presence, persuasion, and restraint.
By the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, she steps onto an international stage as president of the Board of Lady Managers, where competing interests collide, alliances fracture, and every advance carries consequence.
From ashes to the White City, The Innkeeper’s Wife is the story of a woman navigating duty, marriage, and power while making history.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy
Easy read, interesting and great writing.
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August 20, 2026A fantastic read about a great woman trailblazer in Chicago. Engaging story and meticulously researched! Hats off to the author! Highly reccomend!
August 30, 2026
This book is a page-turner from beginning to end. Siobhan Hartsell is a wonderfully engaging and descriptive author who makes history come alive. I knew very little about Bertha Palmer before reading this book and was fascinated by her remarkable life. I also learned so much about the Great Chicago Fire and the World’s Columbian Exposition. The extensive research behind the story is evident throughout. Thank you, Siobhan, for bringing Bertha Palmer to life and inspiring me to learn more about this extraordinary woman. Highly recommend!
August 31, 2026
A rich, immersive journey through Bertha Palmer’s life as queen of Chicago. Even as historical fiction, the well-researched details are so beautifully constructed into a narrative profile, allowing you to get up close & personal with one of the most interesting (and underrated) women of the gilded age.
August 19, 2026
The Innkeeper’s Wife is a great historical read. The author really highlights how Bertha Palmer was more than just some rich socialite; she was a force of nature actively trying to bring about positive societal change. The book especially shines during the section on the Chicago World Fair. The descriptions are rich, and the writing well done.
I would recommend this read!
I would recommend this read!
August 29, 2026
I loved this book. The Innkeepers Wife shows the Chicago of the past that you can still glimpse today. Berthas story weaves the life of a woman who had a hand in making that time in Chicago count.
August 23, 2026
outstanding!
This historical novel was full of information and surprises. I understand the men involved with the Expo but have never found anything so complete at defining and explaining the women and “The Woman” of the Expo. Congratulations and thank you to the author for such a rich historical portrait.
This historical novel was full of information and surprises. I understand the men involved with the Expo but have never found anything so complete at defining and explaining the women and “The Woman” of the Expo. Congratulations and thank you to the author for such a rich historical portrait.
September 14, 2026
A beautifully immersive portrait of a remarkable woman and a fascinating era.
The Innkeeper’s Wife is the kind of historical fiction that makes you want to step directly into another time. Siobhan Hartsell brings the Gilded Age vividly to life while telling the story of Bertha Palmer—a woman whose intelligence, ambition, influence, and determination deserve far more attention than they typically receive.
What I especially loved about this book is how deeply rooted it is in history. Hartsell has clearly done her homework, and the result is a story that feels rich, authentic, and remarkably detailed. Rather than simply using the Gilded Age as a backdrop, she immerses you in the world of the people who lived through it—their social expectations, ambitions, challenges, relationships, and the extraordinary opportunities available to those willing to challenge convention.
Bertha Palmer is a fascinating subject, and Hartsell captures the complexity of a woman navigating a world that placed very real limitations on women while simultaneously finding ways to wield tremendous influence within it. Her story is a reminder that history is filled with women who were not content to simply occupy the roles society handed them.
There is something particularly satisfying about discovering a historical figure through a book like this. You finish reading and find yourself thinking, How did I not know more about her?
For anyone who loves historical fiction, the Gilded Age, or stories about extraordinary women who helped shape history, The Innkeeper’s Wife is a wonderful read. It is meticulously researched, beautifully told, and shines a much-deserved spotlight on an unforgettable woman.
Highly recommended.
The Innkeeper’s Wife is the kind of historical fiction that makes you want to step directly into another time. Siobhan Hartsell brings the Gilded Age vividly to life while telling the story of Bertha Palmer—a woman whose intelligence, ambition, influence, and determination deserve far more attention than they typically receive.
What I especially loved about this book is how deeply rooted it is in history. Hartsell has clearly done her homework, and the result is a story that feels rich, authentic, and remarkably detailed. Rather than simply using the Gilded Age as a backdrop, she immerses you in the world of the people who lived through it—their social expectations, ambitions, challenges, relationships, and the extraordinary opportunities available to those willing to challenge convention.
Bertha Palmer is a fascinating subject, and Hartsell captures the complexity of a woman navigating a world that placed very real limitations on women while simultaneously finding ways to wield tremendous influence within it. Her story is a reminder that history is filled with women who were not content to simply occupy the roles society handed them.
There is something particularly satisfying about discovering a historical figure through a book like this. You finish reading and find yourself thinking, How did I not know more about her?
For anyone who loves historical fiction, the Gilded Age, or stories about extraordinary women who helped shape history, The Innkeeper’s Wife is a wonderful read. It is meticulously researched, beautifully told, and shines a much-deserved spotlight on an unforgettable woman.
Highly recommended.
August 24, 2026
“The Innkeeper's Wife” pulls you completely into its world. The vocabulary and descriptions are so rich that I felt like I was right there in the room — practically a relative of Bertha's. I could picture myself sitting in on the Board of Lady Managers meetings, listening to the arguments for women's and children's rights as if I were witnessing history firsthand.
As an official Chicago tour guide and avid reader of historical fiction, I was genuinely impressed by how historically accurate this book is. The details about Bertha and Potter Palmer, and the Honoré and Palmer families, were fascinating — I learned things I didn't know despite years of studying this era and this city. The depiction of a Russian Orthodox wedding was another highlight — I'd never encountered those customs before, but recognized striking parallels to Jewish Orthodox wedding traditions I know well.
This book should be required reading for anyone studying Chicago, the 1880s and '90s, or the early history of Sarasota, Florida. It's rare to find historical fiction this immersive and this accurate.
I can only hope this is the first of many — I'd love to see Siobhan Hartsell continue exploring other women who shaped this era of Chicago history.
As an official Chicago tour guide and avid reader of historical fiction, I was genuinely impressed by how historically accurate this book is. The details about Bertha and Potter Palmer, and the Honoré and Palmer families, were fascinating — I learned things I didn't know despite years of studying this era and this city. The depiction of a Russian Orthodox wedding was another highlight — I'd never encountered those customs before, but recognized striking parallels to Jewish Orthodox wedding traditions I know well.
This book should be required reading for anyone studying Chicago, the 1880s and '90s, or the early history of Sarasota, Florida. It's rare to find historical fiction this immersive and this accurate.
I can only hope this is the first of many — I'd love to see Siobhan Hartsell continue exploring other women who shaped this era of Chicago history.
September 17, 2026
I was anxious to read this book and I was very glad that Kindle Unlimited had it. I am from Chicago and am a fan of the city's architecture and history. I have even stayed at the Palmer House.
It was wonderful to learn more about the woman who was so involved with the Columbian Exposition. Not only was Bertha Palmer the "innkeepers wife," she was a champion for the independence of women and a philanthropist who left her mark on Chicago.
Ms. Hartsell has done extensive research and I learned a lot about the Columbian Exposition and the work that Bertha did to bring The Women's Pavilion to life.
I found the structure of the book a little different. Many chapters seemed to tell a complete story, others were vignettes that flowed into each other. The narrative was however, cohesive overall.
I will think of her whenever I pass through the Palmer house (it is magnificent).
It was wonderful to learn more about the woman who was so involved with the Columbian Exposition. Not only was Bertha Palmer the "innkeepers wife," she was a champion for the independence of women and a philanthropist who left her mark on Chicago.
Ms. Hartsell has done extensive research and I learned a lot about the Columbian Exposition and the work that Bertha did to bring The Women's Pavilion to life.
I found the structure of the book a little different. Many chapters seemed to tell a complete story, others were vignettes that flowed into each other. The narrative was however, cohesive overall.
I will think of her whenever I pass through the Palmer house (it is magnificent).
October 11, 2026
Powerful, Inspiring and Impossible to Put Down!
The Innkeeper's Wife by Siobhan Hartsell is a captivating historical novel that I could not put down. Inspired by remarkable women such as Bertha Palmer, it brings to life an era when vision, determination, and courage helped shape the future of Chicago. The story beautifully highlights the importance of family support, strong partnerships, and women lifting others as they rise. Richly researched, emotionally engaging, and wonderfully written, this is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and inspiring women whose impact is still felt today. Highly recommend!
October 10, 2026
Meticulously researched and well told, this story reveals an incredible hidden history. The author takes the reader within the extraordinary life and now legend of Bertha Palmer. Bertha emerged as a force for good in business and society during an era when women stood behind men, never beside or ahead. The author’s page-turning historical fiction covers the life of Bertha’s rise in Chicago, influence in Europe, and eventual rancher and farmer in Florida’s undeveloped wilderness. The author’s weaving of historical figures in Bertha’s indelible life will surprise and delight.
September 1, 2026
I was captivated and pulled along from the very first page to the last by the fascinating story of Bertha Palmer and the city of Chicago’s gilded age. I am so impressed (but not surprised) that my friend and former neighbor wrote such an excellent debut novel - her love of Chicago and detailed research shone through (as it does when she is a docent on a Chicago architecture river tour). Great job, Siobhan!
October 4, 2026
great book!
Great book! Extremely well researched and written. It really gives a good insight into what it was like in Chicago around the time of the Chicago Fire and the period after. Highly recommend you read this book!
Great book! Extremely well researched and written. It really gives a good insight into what it was like in Chicago around the time of the Chicago Fire and the period after. Highly recommend you read this book!
September 20, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up.
September 25, 2026
A fascinating read about a woman who led a remarkable life. If you love books about women seemingly lost to history (as Bertha Palmer was for me), you will want to add this one to your TBR pile!
October 15, 2026
Very comprehensive historical fiction. Bertha Palmer - a force to be reckoned with
September 11, 2026
I don’t often make book recommendations or write book reviews, but The Innkeeper’s Wife was so interesting and enjoyable I had to make note of it. This debut novel is a work of fiction but brings to life Bertha Honoré Palmer, wife of Potter Palmer. Married when she was just 21, Bertha was gifted The Palmer Hotel by her husband, aged 44. Though significantly younger, Bertha’s intelligence made her a perfect partner - in life and business - for Potter. A leader in many respects, and resilient in the face of many challenges, the young Bertha was ahead of her time and served as President of the Board of Lady Managers of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. She led the charge to design and construct The Woman’s Building which highlighted women’s contributions to society through curated displays of innovations, art and other meaningful representation of women’s work.
Highly recommended! Add this to your TBR list, especially if you enjoy historical fiction and/or biographies.
Highly recommended! Add this to your TBR list, especially if you enjoy historical fiction and/or biographies.
October 5, 2026
Bertha Palmer was an extraordinary woman who graced Chicago with her intelligence, her love of art and her role in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews