Theatre of Marvels

<p><b>'Richly evocative and glittering with atmosphere, this tale of ambition and identity had me gripped from start to finish'</b> STACEY HALLS, <i>Sunday Times</i> bestselling author of <i>The Familiars</i><br><br><b>'<i>Theatre of Marvels</i> is a fascinating, empowering story of a young woman's search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly' </b>JENNIFER SAINT, author of <i>Ariadne</i><br><b>_________________________________<br></b><br><b>Behind the spectacle there are always secrets.</b><br><br>Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. A black, British actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight. An orphan from the slums of St Giles, her rise to stardom is her ticket out - to be gawped and gazed at is a price she's willing to pay.<br><br>Rising up the echelons of society is everything Zillah has ever dreamed of. But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling that something is amiss. Is the woman in danger?<br><br>Her pursuit of the truth takes her into the underbelly of the city - from gas-lit streets to the sumptuous parlours of Mayfair - as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past and finds herself torn between two powerful admirers.<br><br>Caught in a labyrinth of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate?<br><br><b>A deliciously immersive tale, <i>Theatre of Marvels</i> whisks you on an unforgettable journey across Victorian London in this bold exploration of race, class and gothic spectacle.</b><br><br><b>AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW</b><br><b>_______________________________</b><br><br><b>'Zillah is a memorable heroine' </b><i>Sunday Times</i><br><br><b>'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act'</b> <i>Woman & Home</i><br><br><b>'A thought-provoking, atmospheric debut' </b><i>Daily Express</i><br><br><b>'Very much enjoyed <i>Theatre of Marvels</i>. Zillah is a brilliant character who leads us through a Victorian London little spoken of, making for an illuminating, page-turning tale of self-actualisation. Loved it' </b>KATE SAWYER<br><br><b>'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London'</b> LOUISE HARE, author of <i>This Lovely City</i><br><br><b>'A startling, original and utterly compelling novel which subtly navigates the core issues of race, gender and class'</b> MARY CHAMBERLAIN, author of <i>The Dressmaker of Dachau</i><br><br><b>'Thrilling, eye-opening and absorbing' </b>LIZZIE POOK, author of <i>Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter</i><br><br><b>'Fresh, original and full of atmosphere - a compelling story with a heroine I'll remember for a long time' </b>FRANCES QUINN, author of <i>The Smallest Man</i><br><br><b>'A story that shines a spotlight into the shadows of the 19th century, while also exploring very relevant themes of identity. So fantastic to read a novel that centres POC in the Victorian era. Loved it!' </b>SAARA EL-ARIFI, author of <i>The Final Strife</i><br><br><b>'Loved Lianne Dillsworth's Theatre of Marvels. A gripping story about identity and belonging with a strong sense of place. Can't wait for everybody to meet Zillah who is such strong and nuanced heroine.' </b>LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of <i>Nobody But Us</i></p> <p><b>'Richly evocative and glittering with atmosphere, this tale of ambition and identity had me gripped from start to finish'</b> STACEY HALLS, <i>Sunday Times</i> bestselling author of <i>The Familiars</i><br><br><b>'<i>Theatre of Marvels</i> is a fascinating, empowering story of a young woman's search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly' </b>JENNIFER SAINT, author of <i>Ariadne</i><br><b>_________________________________<br></b><br><b>Behind the spectacle there are always secrets.</b><br><br>Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. A black, British actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight. An orphan from the slums of St Giles, her rise to stardom is her ticket out - to be gawped and gazed at is a price she's willing to pay.<br><br>Rising up the echelons of society is everything Zillah has ever dreamed of. But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling that something is amiss. Is the woman in danger?<br><br>Her pursuit of the truth takes her into the underbelly of the city - from gas-lit streets to the sumptuous parlours of Mayfair - as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past and finds herself torn between two powerful admirers.<br><br>Caught in a labyrinth of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate?<br><br><b>A deliciously immersive tale, <i>Theatre of Marvels</i> whisks you on an unforgettable journey across Victorian London in this bold exploration of race, class and gothic spectacle.</b><br><br><b>AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW</b><br><b>_______________________________</b><br><br><b>'Zillah is a memorable heroine' </b><i>Sunday Times</i><br><br><b>'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act'</b> <i>Woman & Home</i><br><br><b>'A thought-provoking, atmospheric debut' </b><i>Daily Express</i><br><br><b>'Very much enjoyed <i>Theatre of Marvels</i>. Zillah is a brilliant character who leads us through a Victorian London little spoken of, making for an illuminating, page-turning tale of self-actualisation. Loved it' </b>KATE SAWYER<br><br><b>'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London'</b> LOUISE HARE, author of <i>This Lovely City</i><br><br><b>'A startling, original and utterly compelling novel which subtly navigates the core issues of race, gender and class'</b> MARY CHAMBERLAIN, author of <i>The Dressmaker of Dachau</i><br><br><b>'Thrilling, eye-opening and absorbing' </b>LIZZIE POOK, author of <i>Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter</i><br><br><b>'Fresh, original and full of atmosphere - a compelling story with a heroine I'll remember for a long time' </b>FRANCES QUINN, author of <i>The Smallest Man</i><br><br><b>'A story that shines a spotlight into the shadows of the 19th century, while also exploring very relevant themes of identity. So fantastic to read a novel that centres POC in the Victorian era. Loved it!' </b>SAARA EL-ARIFI, author of <i>The Final Strife</i><br><br><b>'Loved Lianne Dillsworth's Theatre of Marvels. A gripping story about identity and belonging with a strong sense of place. Can't wait for everybody to meet Zillah who is such strong and nuanced heroine.' </b>LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of <i>Nobody But Us</i></p>