Carnegie's Maid: A Riveting Historical Fiction Book Club Pick

The USA Today Bestseller

From the bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room comes a mesmerizing tale of historical fiction that asks what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the woman who shares her name has vanished, and assuming her identity just might get Clara some money to send back home.

Clara must rely on resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for and an uncanny understanding of business, attributes that quickly gain her Carnegie's trust. But she still can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future--and her family's.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid is a book of fascinating 19th century historical fiction. Discover the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist to the world's first true philanthropist.

Other Bestselling Historical Fiction from Marie Benedict:

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

Lady Clementine

The Only Woman in the Room

The Other Einstein

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Published Oct 2, 2018

352 pages

Average rating: 7.14

264 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Carnegie’s Maid* offers a vivid look at class divides and a fresh historical perspective on Andrew Carnegie’s rise, enriched by themes of...

frannie-puckett
Mar 17, 2024
6/10 stars
I felt the author took too many liberties. Although a good story, it’s more fiction than historical fiction.
KimberlySherk
Jan 10, 2026
8/10 stars
Stayed up all night reading. I have performed in Carnegie Hall in New York and appreciate the historical setting of the Carnegie Family’s paths to success.
anne ducastel
Jan 08, 2026
8/10 stars
could not put it down!
Bosky
Dec 30, 2025
6/10 stars
This is a historical fiction book describing the rise of Andrew Carnegie's wealth. It provides a fictionalized reason for why Andrew is philanthropic, his burgeoning relationship with the intelligent Clara Kelley, who is his mother's maid. The book delves into the divide between societal classes, wealth, sex, and touches on slavery. The importance of ties with family and our duty to help one another is an important sweet and touching theme throughout the book. My only lament was wishing that more was going on... it was a touch boring at times.
Margie Pettersen
Oct 27, 2025
8/10 stars
Interesting insight into the life of Andrew Carnegie. Eventually he becomes a philanthropist but there's no evidence that it is really influenced by his maid. That notion is a fanciful invention by the author. I have read other books by Marie Benedict and they are good historical fiction, but I do feel she strays a bit too far from the truth in the female characters she creates.

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