Lady of Ashes: Volume 1

Christine Trent

Nov 2021 · Lady of Ashes Book 1 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Polly Lee

About this audiobook

A female undertaker in Victorian London suspects death by unnatural causes in a mystery "rich with historical incidents and details" (Publishers Weekly). Only a woman with an iron backbone could succeed as an undertaker in Victorian England, but Violet Morgan takes great pride in her trade. While her husband, Graham, is preoccupied with elevating their station in society, Violet is cultivating a sterling reputation for Morgan Undertaking. She is empathetic, well-versed in funeral fashions, and comfortable with death's role in life-until its chilling rattle comes knocking on her own front door. Violet's peculiar but happy life soon begins to unravel as Graham becomes obsessed with his own demons and all but abandons her as he plans a vengeful scheme. And the solace she's always found in her work evaporates like a departing soul when she suspects that some of the deceased she's dressed have been murdered. When Graham disappears, Violet takes full control of the business and is commissioned for an undertaking of royal proportions. But she's certain there's a killer lurking in the London fog, and the next funeral may be her own.

About the author

In addition to six novels and three short stories in the Lady of Ashes series, Christine Trent has written several historical novels about women in unusual professions, including The Queen's Dollmaker, A Royal Likeness, and By the King's Design. Visit her at christinetrent.com.

Polly Lee is an award-winning actress best known for her roles on The Americans (FX) and Younger (Showtime). On stage, she has worked in NYC and across the country for almost twenty years. Lee has narrated over fifty nonfiction and young adult fiction books and has received many AudioFile Earphones Awards for her work.