The Mrs. Astor: A Gilded Age Novel of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor

by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Inspired by true events, this richly researched novel offers an intimate portrait of the woman who reigned over America's Gilded Age—and the unforgettable night that tested her power, her convictions, and her heart.

New York City, 1896

On the eve of her annual January ball, Caroline Schermerhorn Astor reflects on her life and all that has led up to this moment. She is about to reintroduce her daughter, Charlotte, into society after a scandalous divorce. Society dictates that divorced women simply disappear, but Caroline refuses to ban her daughter from her rightful place. After all, Caroline is the woman who runs New York City society. If anyone can break the rules, it’s her.

From her privileged childhood among the families of the oldest Dutch settlement in New York to her marriage to William Backhouse Astor, Jr., one of the richest men in the country, Caroline has done everything expected of a proper society wife. With elegance, determination, and an unwavering belief in tradition, she raised the Astor name to even greater heights and created an exclusive world where only the most distinguished families belonged. But now, all that could disappear if New York society rejects her because of her daughter’s scandal.

Whatever the consequences, Caroline will hold her head high, because she is The Mrs. Astor, and no one can take from her what she values the most—her precious family.

295 pages, ebook

Published October 6, 2026

About the author

Deanna Lynn Sletten is the author of MRS. WINCHESTER'S BIOGRAPHER, THE ONES WE LEAVE BEHIND, THE WOMEN OF GREAT HERON LAKE, MAGGIE'S TURN, THE LAKE HARRIET SERIES, and several other titles. She writes compelling historical fiction, heartwarming women's fiction, romance novels, and murder mysteries. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL and DEATH BECOMES YOU.

Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer.

Deanna loves hearing from her readers. Connect with her at:

Her blog: deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten

Reviews

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading The Mrs. Astor, I was transported to a different time and place. Honesty, I found myself still there long after I finished the book, that's how enthralled I was by this story. I literally was thinking about the people I met and the setting of this book for days after I was done.

Deanna Lynn Sletten has always produced amazing historical fiction stories and this one is another stellar example of her thorough researching skills. I found myself completely swept up in the lifestyles and events of this time period that she wrote about. I admire Mrs. Astor and respect the strength and resilience she had in a time when women didn't have much power in their lives. Thanks to this book, I now have a better understanding of the life that women survived back then.

I loved everything about The Mrs. Astor and highly recommend it. If you read historical fiction, you are going to love it too.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refresher

The next season of HBO's Gilded Age will be out in November. This book was an excellent relaxing read to refresh my mind about the characters. Perfectly hit the spot. The Mrs Astor in this book is portrayed as a much gentler kinder person that was to nice to be manipulative. I'm not sure I believe that. Also, it stated that all the Astors were great supporters of President Lincoln. Considering the well documented life of Lincoln and Mary Todd and how society turned there noses up at them, I'm not sold on that either. It's historical fiction so it just works in to the story. It was a fun read and the author clearly did her research regarding so many things.

[Mary M · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Mrs Astor has always intrigued me, so I was excited when I saw this book had been written. I enjoyed it for the most part, although it rushed in places. It lacked good editing as well. Nothing takes me out of a story like bad editing. For example: when the Astors were first moving to Fifth Ave., it kept switching back & forth between Fifth Ave. and Fifth St. Also, Ward McAllister placed a piece of cake on his “dessert cake.” A good, well researched story…not very well executed. Could have been five star, but settled at three and a half.

[Marianne Lopapa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review:

I loved the book and the maim character Lina ( Mrs.Astor) ...You delve into the lives of the rich and famous and see how they live on a day to day basis ..Lina was all about her husband & her children..She lead a grand life like her balls and was not without many great losses in her life ...Lina was admirable and refined and a woman of great moral character ....A most enjoyable read ..Thank - you, M.L.😊

[Jean E. Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I have read "many" books about The Gilded Age, and Mrs. Astor is mentioned in almost all of them. However, this is not the woman I have read about so often. The Mrs.Astor
is shown as a true human being, whose main purpose is protecting her family, and those of others who were raised with the same values.

This was delightful, and I Thank You!
,

[Scflynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

very clinical read

As far as a biography goes, this gave you every detail and characteristic of time and place, but no actual story. Starting it, I felt compelled to finish it, but it was not a book that I truly enjoyed. It was more of a dissertation on clothes, food yet there was no plot. If you are looking for descriptive prose then you will love this book.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book especially if you like in depth descriptions of high society during this period in history.

[Jackalyn]

Well written. Good story line about the life and style of the rich and famous of the 1800s.

[Kristy Salvato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers Wil Cheer For The Mrs Astor As She Navigates Tragedies And Triumphs As Queen Of The Gilded Age!