We Are Villains All

by Kirsty Stonell Walker

1890, Daneburton, Hampshire: Maud Blake, spinster companion to flighty, young Emeline Hutchinson, is the least important woman at the weekly poetry circle. She sits at the back, barely able to see the poet who presides over them all, but she requires only his words to fuel her dreams. For twenty years Max has lived peacefully in the market town of Daneburton. He presides over his poetry circle and the clammering attention of the ladies who attend him, with formality and restraint. He thinks he has successfully avoided the death and betrayal of his past. What he doesn’t realise is that his past is about to pay him a visit…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2015

About the author

Kirsty Stonell Walker is a Victorian Studies Academic, specialising in the social history of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. She has researched the life of Fanny Cornforth for over a decade, writing articles and papers on the subject. She also incessantly writes about anything and everything. Honestly, she needs help.

Reviews

[Shanon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing until the very end! Great writing and unique story line; although the typos were a bit frustrating (understandable for a self-published book though).

[sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lindsay Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

It simmers, then smoulders and then ignites into a thrilling Victorian 'whodunnit'. Kirsty Stonell Walker is a keen observer of the intricacies of the female-male dance. The story is full of erotic subterfuge, with heartfelt love and vicious jealousy mingling to create a story that is both romantic and sinister. The politeness of Victorian English society does not for a moment hide the love and desire of passionate hearts.

[Moyra Keatings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will keep you guessing! I have just re-read this and enjoyed it even more on a second visit. Kirsty Stonell Walker's knowledge and love of the Victorian era saturates the narrative with its echoes of the time. Suspense, mystery, secrets and wit intrigue us. There is no governess, as in a Bronte novel, but instead a woman who has unaccountably turned down an offer of marriage. She has had to settle for being a lady's companion, a role almost as uncomfortable as that of governess.

She is drawn into the circle of women who bustle around the local celebrity poet and vie for his attention. A visitor from the poet's past sets in motion changes and discoveries. It certainly kept me turning the pages, I really enjoyed the read. The author has included poems in the narrative, convincingly styled. I had just finished re-reading A S Byatt's 'Possession', and this is a very enjoyable cheeky rejoinder.

[Phil Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my teenage daughter‘s favorite books. Super clever, really fun to read. Good writing. As usual, she chose a group of tightly bonded miss fits to rate highly.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and loved the ending! I really enjoy historical fiction and am a fan of the history of photography as well as the Victorian era. I do not want to give away the plot but I can say that I love the descriptions of the characters and the details about this time period. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in photography, suspense and mystery novels, and the Victorian era.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I found it slow starting off, and I felt like it could have ended a few times with how often the timeline switched back and forth. Near the end though it got pretty exciting and the twist at the end was well done.