THE VIRTUAL VICTORIAN

To celebrate my new Victorian gothic novel entering the Sunday Times Best Seller List at number 10, I'd like to post a very short reading from the first pages of The Fascination. But first of all, here is a brief description of what the novel is about...

Today there are many people who know nothing of Marie Lloyd - which shows how ephemeral fame can be, and how the passing of the years will often dim collective memories. However, in her time, Miss Marie Lloyd was known as ‘The One and Only'- a woman...

My new Victorian gothic novel is called The Fascination. It's a book about finding acceptance in a world where anyone different is at risk of scorn or abuse ... or used for entertainment purposes. The story has settings in the Victorian rural fairgrounds...

This letter is held by the American Library of Congress. It dates from the 1850's, and whether the original version was genuine or contrived, it is a most delightful find. Do read the explanation at the bottom of this transcription to fully understand...