The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

By: India Holton

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

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

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)

Wtf did I just listen to?

This seems to have too much going on to be an audiobook. Maybe if I had read it, I would like it better. I like historical fiction but this was historical fantasy with no prelude… so you have flying houses (hmm… ok) and female pirates that dominate men (YAY- girl power!) but must also abide by some rules of 19th century social propriety (huh?) with an odd case of statutory rape (DAFUQ?!) that is still misplaced to me because it does nothing for the plot. Also Queen Victoria is a bipolar food tossing petulant child…. 🙄I’m pretty sure the Brontës would be pissed with any association to this book. Suggestion: if you buy this book listen to it on 0.8 or 0.7, use it to fall asleep.

Charming and sweet

If you can suspend disbelief for the first couple of chapters, this is a charming, clever, and surprisingly romantic book. Great narrator. Likeable characters, both main and supporting. I’ll gladly listen to more from this author.

fun

This was lighthearted and delightful! well written, characters that came to life and a fabulous narrator! I really enjoyed it and it was a fun twist on the usual...listen or read it and you'll see.

Enjoyed this book very much

It took me a while to grasp the beginning but when it got going it was a really fun and different concept! Finished it in two days!

Tons of fun

Really fun story, well written and fabulously narrated. Some really well described steamy spots too! The sultry edge of Victorian politeness is captured!

Delightful … delightfully funny!

If I could give this one more than five stars, I would! It was just perfect … story, narration, pacing … everything!

Unbelievably fun!

I didn’t think I would be able to move past the flying houses, but I’m so glad I did. This was the most enjoyable book, print or audio. The writing is well done, the humor and sarcasm spectacular. Love it.

Brilliantly written, entrancing adventures & romance!

Brilliantly written, entrancing adventures, titillating romance, and creativity galore! So excited to follow these character further. And so good, I’ll definitely read this first book again.

Tally-Ho!!!

They always say that the first in a series is the worst. In some cases, that us true. However, for this book, it's not! I absolutely loved and enjoyed this story! It had everything you want in epic, historical fantasy and romance. I absolutely loved the characters, except Patrick Movitah (even though his hatred towards women was misguided). Nevertheless, all the characters were funny, quirky, smart, adventurous

Witty

Overall it was silly and witty. The voice actress did a great job at comedic timing. It reminded me of the old comedy movies with the silly one liners. Like a Mel Brooks type movie. Why were there flying houses? Who knows, but I found it funny