‘The sharp-witted, courageous heroine is the perfect narrator of the atmospheric, enthralling story that Hare has woven … a fantastic read’
– Harriet Tyce, Sunday Times bestselling author

Louise Hare

Photo of Louise Hare © Charlotte Knee Photography

Louise Hare is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, she has found inspiration in the capital for much of her work. Louise was selected for the Observer Top 10 Best Debut Novelists list in 2020, securing her place as an author to watch.

Louise’s debut novel, This Lovely City, was featured on the BBC TWO TV book club show, Between the Covers, shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize, and longlisted for the HW A Debut Crown Award. Miss Aldridge Regrets was shortlisted for Historical Novel of the Y ear in the Fingerprint Awards 2023, and Harlem After Midnight was shortlisted for the CW A Historical Dagger Award 2024.

The House of Fallen Sisters

December, 1765. In the early hours of the morning, Sukey Maynard flees her home – a brothel in Covent Garden. Her maidenhood is about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and she is too frightened to stay. But when she is captured and returned to the house of fallen sisters, she has a choice to make – should she stay, or should she run again?

As Sukey accepts her fate, she begins to learn how to navigate this strange new life of hers, and soon realises that there are those who wish her and her sisters harm. But this world that operates in the shadows has its own set of rules, and if Sukey is to survive then she must learn to play the game…

From the brothels of Covent Garden to the oppressive society of the eighteenth century, Louise Hare’s enthralling historical masterpiece paints a vivid picture of London’s underbelly and shows how, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.

Praise for Louise Hare

This Lovely City was one of Observer’s 10 best debut novelists of 2020 / Woman & Home Best of 2020 / Evening Standard Best books of 2020 / Mail on Sunday 2020 Highlights / I Best of 2020

‘A tender, at times heart-breaking depiction of a city at once familiar and unrecognisable. It made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoner’s shelf’
– Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘Poignant and authentic … it’s [Hare’s] steady, calm prose and the animating authenticity of her material that make it so hard to resist’
– Observer

‘Hopeful and inspiring’
– Abi Daré

‘Charming characters, a cross-Atlantic setting, jazz, cocktails, sex and a brilliant murder mystery. You couldn’t ask for more! I loved it’
– Harriet Tyce

‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’
– Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love

‘ An engrossing read’
– Guardian

‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour … Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and
class’
– Observer

‘Fans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy won’t want to miss [this]’
– Elle

‘Convincing and involving’
– Sunday Times