The Petticoat Men

A captivating historical novel which uncovers sensational new information about a scandalous court case that rocked Victorian England

The Victorian gossipmongers called them The Petticoat Men. But to young Mattie Stacey, they are Freddie and Ernest, her gentlemen lodgers. It is Mattie who admires their sparkling gowns, makes their extravagant hats, and laughs at their stories of attending society balls dressed up as the glamorous "Fanny" and "Stella." But one fateful night Fanny and Stella are arrested, and Mattie is dragged into a shocking court trial, described in newspapers all over England as "The Scandal of the Century." This richly atmospheric novel of Victorian London exposes a political secret lost to history until now, and is perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and Rose Tremain.

Barbara Ewing is an actress and the author of eight novels, one of which, A Dangerous Vine, was longlisted for the Orange Prize.