Liberty Street: A Novel
From the #1 internationally bestselling author of Looking for Jane comes a riveting novel about one journalist’s harrowing journey into an infamous real-life 1960s women’s prison—and the detective who uncovers her story decades later.
“Heather Marshall’s latest is dynamite . . . A tale both timely and explosive.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
“Visceral and provocative, Liberty Street ensures no woman is left behind.”—Karma Brown, #1 bestselling author of Recipe for a Perfect Wife
1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best women journalists in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women’s publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women’s Prison lands on Emily’s desk, she senses a scoop that could launch her career as a real, hard-boiled journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate’s shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out . . .
1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery, and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women’s Prison, Rachel’s own dark history threatens to surface from where she's kept it carefully buried.
Inspired by true events, Liberty Street weaves back and forth through time to shine a light on mental health, incarceration, and the various "prisons" that hold women captive.
“Heather Marshall’s latest is dynamite . . . A tale both timely and explosive.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
“Visceral and provocative, Liberty Street ensures no woman is left behind.”—Karma Brown, #1 bestselling author of Recipe for a Perfect Wife
1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best women journalists in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women’s publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women’s Prison lands on Emily’s desk, she senses a scoop that could launch her career as a real, hard-boiled journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate’s shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out . . .
1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery, and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women’s Prison, Rachel’s own dark history threatens to surface from where she's kept it carefully buried.
Inspired by true events, Liberty Street weaves back and forth through time to shine a light on mental health, incarceration, and the various "prisons" that hold women captive.
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Community Reviews
I really enjoyed Liberty Street by Heather Marshall, who also wrote the incredible novel Finding Jane. Once again, Marshall has created a story that is both captivating and deeply informative.
I found it both fascinating and infuriating to learn more about the limited respect, rights, and autonomy women had in the 1960s. The way these issues were woven into the story was powerful without taking away from the entertainment value of the novel. I was completely drawn into Emily’s storyline and found myself invested in her journey from beginning to end.
Heather Marshall has a wonderful ability to bring important historical topics to life through engaging characters and a compelling narrative. This book left me thinking about how far we have come, while also recognizing the importance of remembering the struggles that shaped women’s rights today.
I would highly recommend Liberty Street to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a meaningful message, strong characters.
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