Sutherland

by Megan E. Cassidy, MC Hall

“Seven Wonders of the World,” “Seven Eccentric Sisters,” “Seven Models of Womanly Beauty and Grace,” “Seven Ladies with Seven Feet of Hair Each!”

In 1885, the Seven Sutherland Sisters were one of the most celebrated acts in Barnum and Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth. Hailed across the globe for their singing and envied for their legendary hair, the sisters rocketed to success. Crowds of men chased after the sisters, trying to cut their long locks. Women paid thousands for their hair care products. Even Queen Victoria requested a private performance at Windsor Castle.

Only a few servants and friends know the darkness that lies behind the Sutherland fame. After a sudden tragedy, Anna Louise Roberts takes a position as the Sutherland’s governess and tutor. She begins to fear the ghosts that haunt the Sutherland mansion, the madness that plagues their youngest sister, and the family curses that slowly contaminate their fame.

Like mythical sirens, the Sutherland Sisters call Anna to a life of comfort and luxury, while ensuring her doom.

A masterful blend of Gothic and historical fiction, Sutherland is the first of two novels depicting this incredible family saga.

330 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2018

About the author

Megan is an author, college professor, publisher, and host of the podcast "Stop Ruining My Childhood!"

In addition to writing books for children, teens, and adults, Megan has also illustrated several books including her own picture book series "Songs My Mother Taught Me"

When not reading manuscripts, editing, writing, or teaching, she can be found painting, kayaking, hiking, dancing, and exploring New York’s Capital Region with her husband Stephen.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC at BookExpo. This is my probably my first history fiction if I’m being honest as I usually am drawn to YA contemporary plus the fact that this doesn’t seem to have an age range when reading it from what I gathered. I could see teens and adults both enjoying this story. I was initially drawn to picking it up after hearing the publisher 50/50 press discuss it as part of Indie Insights. I also had wanted to learn a bit more about Barnum and Bailey’s Circus as well. I had never heard of the Sutherland Sisters and I loved the way the author changed things and weaved fiction with history. It was quite a delight and mysterious read and many parts. Overall a very great introduction to a new genre.

[Leann Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this ARC at Bookcon and loved it. It’s the based on fact story of seven sisters who travelled and performed with Barnum and Bailey’s Circus in the late 1800s. It’s well written and engaging. Plus it has a Buffalo (Lockport, really) connection which was really fun to discover.

[Douglas Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after its introduction at Book Expo last year. I found that it was a great mix of historical fiction and a little bit of gothic elements. The characters grabbed my attention and the story kept me reading.