The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels Audiobook By India Holton cover art

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

By: India Holton
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
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A New York Times Notable Book of 2021

“The kind of book for which the word 'rollicking' was invented.” (New York Times Book Review)

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She's also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it's a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he's under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her - hopefully proving, once and for all, that she's as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.

©2021 India Holton (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Fantasy Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Victorian Funny Feel-Good England Witty

Critic reviews

One of the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2021

An Indie best seller

One of Bustle's Best New Books Out June 2021

A PopSugar Best Summer Read of 2021

"Holton is having as much fun as the English language will permit - the prose shifts constantly from silly to sublime and back, sometimes in the course of a single sentence. And somehow in all the melodrama and jokes and hilariously mangled literary references, there are moments of emotion that cut to the quick - the way a profound traumatic experience can overcome you years later." (New York Times Book Review)

"This melds the Victorian wit of Sherlock Holmes with the brash adventuring of Indiana Jones.... A sprightly feminist tale that offers everything from an atmospheric Gothic abbey to secret societies." (Entertainment Weekly)

"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is easily the most delightfully bonkers historical fantasy romance of 2021! Featuring lady pirates in flying houses and gentleman assassins with far too many names, I enjoyed every absorbing moment. I will never look at a cup of tea (with tea before milk, under pain of death) the same way again!" (Jen DeLuca, author of Well Played)

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Witty Humor • Unique Premise • Fantastic Narration • Engaging Adventure • Lighthearted Fantasy • Clever Wordplay
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haven’t had this much fun with a novel since I discovered Terry Pratchett! It’s clever and hilarious and zany - really the only possible descriptor - and I absolutely adored it.

Proper Victorian ladies who are also ruthless pirates who fly (their houses! other people's houses!) into battle and calmly shoot their enemies whilst drinking tea and reading books. I never knew I wanted it but it's clearly what my heart has been wishing for. I couldn't stop laughing at the constant witty (and ridiculous) prose.

I can’t wait for the next book and I only hope we get more of Cecelia and Ned (and the other lady pirates of course).

Utterly Delightful!

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I can’t get enough of this book. Hands down my favorite read of 2021. I’m pretty sure I’ve listened to the audiobook three times since purchasing it. The story is hilarious yet swoony, and the narrator is delightful. I’m chomping at the bit to get the next one in the series.

LOVE IT

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A delightfully silly sexy romance adventure. Love every fantastical moment. Everyone should read this lovely book.

Good fun

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I really enjoyed this one. The narrator did a great job and the premise was pretty unique. The plot was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the idea of lady pirates so much that it didn’t matter. Nice distraction from the world

Just Fun!

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It’s super funny and has more dry British humor, I would say though in the beginning of the book it’s kinda fast paced and hard to know when it changes scenes and characters but once you learn all the names it becomes easier

Great listen!

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I love the bantering that takes place between the characters. What an absolutely pleasant, lighter read! I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

Absolutely Delightful!

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imagine: pirates in Victorian era London, but they're all high society ladies and instead of ships they have flying battle houses. and then imagine it's a monty python movie.

I was either grinning or laughing out loud through more than 80% of this book and for the other 20% I was engaged in the inventive and descriptive wordplay. The narrator is absolutely fantastic with her delivery and voices she gives to the eclectic cast of characters. The combination of wit, drama and unfailing British etiquette woven into the unique and compelling story is truly spectacular. If you need a pick-me-up, this book will definitely help put a pep in your step.

I already read the second one and enjoyed it just as much!

my face hurts from grinning so much

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The narrator was fantastic. I actually laughed out loud a few times. The story was cute and fun. I'll definitely listen to the rest of the series.

Funny & Whimsical

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This was an awesome, silly story. Loaded with cameo appearances like the Brontes and Queen Victoria. Lots of fun.

Brontë sisters meet Pirates of the Caribbean

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Wonderful narrator. Perfectly witty and a great listen. I had a good time with this one. It's kind of Bridgerton meets Hocus Pocus, and it's ridiculous as it sounds!

A Most Delightful Tale

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