What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey
What if you could write a new ending for yourself?
England, 1898. When Evelyn first married the famous novelist William Aubrey, she was dazzled by his brilliance. But their newlywed bliss is brief when William is gripped by writer’s block, and he becomes jealous of Evelyn’s writing talent. When he commits the ultimate betrayal—stealing a draft of her novel and passing it off as his own—Evelyn decides to write her way out of their unhappy marriage.
California, 2006. Abigail always wondered about her father, his identity forever lost when her mother unexpectedly died. Or so Abigail thought, until she stumbled upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey, leading Abigail on a journey to England in search for answers. There, she learns of Evelyn’s shocking disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve.
Rich in atmosphere and emotion, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey tells the story of literary secrets, a family curse and the lengths women will go to take charge of their future.
England, 1898. When Evelyn first married the famous novelist William Aubrey, she was dazzled by his brilliance. But their newlywed bliss is brief when William is gripped by writer’s block, and he becomes jealous of Evelyn’s writing talent. When he commits the ultimate betrayal—stealing a draft of her novel and passing it off as his own—Evelyn decides to write her way out of their unhappy marriage.
California, 2006. Abigail always wondered about her father, his identity forever lost when her mother unexpectedly died. Or so Abigail thought, until she stumbled upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey, leading Abigail on a journey to England in search for answers. There, she learns of Evelyn’s shocking disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve.
Rich in atmosphere and emotion, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey tells the story of literary secrets, a family curse and the lengths women will go to take charge of their future.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2022
About the author
Serena Burdick
4 books515 followersSerena Burdick is the author of the novels GIRL IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GIRLS WITH NO NAMES, FIND ME IN HAVANA, and her forthcoming novel THE STOLEN BOOK OF EVELYN AUBREY, out November 2022. She is the 2017 International Book Award Winner for Historical Fiction. She holds an Associates of Arts degree from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in theater and a Bachelors of Arts from Brooklyn College in English literature. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 734 reviews
October 3, 2023
Some books work well with dual time periods, this one did not. Told between the early 1900's and 2006. Every time the plot changed to modern day I was thrown off, finding it difficult to get back to the heart of the story.
It would have worked perfectly as a stand alone focusing on Evelyn Aubrey. Aubrey, a young bride, marries an aspiring novelist, with one book already under his belt. Aubrey and William, her new groom, are passionately in love. Nothing can be better, a new home, a doting husband, and the life she always wanted.
When William's mood begins to turn sour and angry, Aubrey is at a loss. She can't understand what is bothering him. She delves deeper into her own writing, but unbeknownst to her, she learns William is not the man she's married.
Scandal, heartache, betrayal, mystery, murder all play into Evelyn's life. What will she do? How will she manage this new William.
The parallel plot is Abbey Aubrey. She finds a photo of her deceased mother with a man she learns is her husband, along with a book written by Evelyn. Abbey goes on a quest to find her father. This was all painfully boring and took me out of the story every time. I found myself skimming through her plot. She was a dry character, void of any dimension, her story irrelevant.
As I mentioned earlier, this book could have been wonderful. The story of Evelyn Aubrey, a covert author trying to survive in a man's world was enough to peak my interest and would have made for a five star story.
3 stars for Evelyn Aubrey's story—0 for the rest.
It would have worked perfectly as a stand alone focusing on Evelyn Aubrey. Aubrey, a young bride, marries an aspiring novelist, with one book already under his belt. Aubrey and William, her new groom, are passionately in love. Nothing can be better, a new home, a doting husband, and the life she always wanted.
When William's mood begins to turn sour and angry, Aubrey is at a loss. She can't understand what is bothering him. She delves deeper into her own writing, but unbeknownst to her, she learns William is not the man she's married.
Scandal, heartache, betrayal, mystery, murder all play into Evelyn's life. What will she do? How will she manage this new William.
The parallel plot is Abbey Aubrey. She finds a photo of her deceased mother with a man she learns is her husband, along with a book written by Evelyn. Abbey goes on a quest to find her father. This was all painfully boring and took me out of the story every time. I found myself skimming through her plot. She was a dry character, void of any dimension, her story irrelevant.
As I mentioned earlier, this book could have been wonderful. The story of Evelyn Aubrey, a covert author trying to survive in a man's world was enough to peak my interest and would have made for a five star story.
3 stars for Evelyn Aubrey's story—0 for the rest.
November 25, 2022
1-1/2 / 5*
This is one of the most frustrating books I have ever read.
Dual time lines: Evelyn - England 1898 / Abigail - USA 2006. Two stories decades apart. Sometimes this works and sometimes not. For me it did not work this time.
Evelyn’s story was interesting and even though I didn’t like her I was interested in her story. Her story could have stood perfectly well on her own.
I didn’t like Abigail and didn’t see the point of her story.
I am still confused about the family relationships, but having finished the book I really don’t care.
Evelyn's was an interesting plot that went haywire and I found the whole reading experience annoying.
This is one of the most frustrating books I have ever read.
Dual time lines: Evelyn - England 1898 / Abigail - USA 2006. Two stories decades apart. Sometimes this works and sometimes not. For me it did not work this time.
Evelyn’s story was interesting and even though I didn’t like her I was interested in her story. Her story could have stood perfectly well on her own.
I didn’t like Abigail and didn’t see the point of her story.
I am still confused about the family relationships, but having finished the book I really don’t care.
Evelyn's was an interesting plot that went haywire and I found the whole reading experience annoying.
November 17, 2023
Told on two times lines, this one was just okay. 🫣 The 1900 storyline was definitely more interesting than the other… 😝
January 19, 2023
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.con/onewomansbbr
**3.5 stars**
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 November 2022**
England, 1898. Evelyn is dazzled by her new novelist husband William's brilliance. But their bliss is brief when William has writer's block and is jealous of Evelyn's writing talent. But when he betrays her by stealing her work, Evelyn decides to write her way out of the marriage. California, 2006. Abigail has never learnt about her unknown father after her mother's unexpected death. But she accidentally finds a photo of him and a note that Evelyn is her great-great-grandmother. She goes to London for answers, finding out Evelyn disappeared and is believed murdered. But as Abby uncovers more about Evelyn, a different story may have actually happened...
Featuring dual timelines, this novel comes from the perspectives of two women in their respective timelines. In 1898 Evelyn has just married after falling in love with a novelist, but is utterly shocked by his cruel attitude towards her when he fails to produce another book. She then suffers a betrayal when her husband steals her own draft and publishes it under his own name to roaring success. Given the time period they live in where women's rights are minimal, Evelyn is in a difficult position to stick up for herself. Meanwhile in 2006 Abby is a bit of a lost soul in that she struggles to maintain relationships following the death of her mother when she was in her early teens, and having no knowledge about her father. When she discovers Evelyn is a relative on her father's side, on a whim she travels to England to find information on her ancestry. The storyline is part mystery and part family domestic drama, with the dual timelines interweaving nicely.
Overall: would happily recommend for any readers interested by the synopsis.
*www.facebook.con/onewomansbbr
**3.5 stars**
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey by Serena Burdick. (2022).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 November 2022**
England, 1898. Evelyn is dazzled by her new novelist husband William's brilliance. But their bliss is brief when William has writer's block and is jealous of Evelyn's writing talent. But when he betrays her by stealing her work, Evelyn decides to write her way out of the marriage. California, 2006. Abigail has never learnt about her unknown father after her mother's unexpected death. But she accidentally finds a photo of him and a note that Evelyn is her great-great-grandmother. She goes to London for answers, finding out Evelyn disappeared and is believed murdered. But as Abby uncovers more about Evelyn, a different story may have actually happened...
Featuring dual timelines, this novel comes from the perspectives of two women in their respective timelines. In 1898 Evelyn has just married after falling in love with a novelist, but is utterly shocked by his cruel attitude towards her when he fails to produce another book. She then suffers a betrayal when her husband steals her own draft and publishes it under his own name to roaring success. Given the time period they live in where women's rights are minimal, Evelyn is in a difficult position to stick up for herself. Meanwhile in 2006 Abby is a bit of a lost soul in that she struggles to maintain relationships following the death of her mother when she was in her early teens, and having no knowledge about her father. When she discovers Evelyn is a relative on her father's side, on a whim she travels to England to find information on her ancestry. The storyline is part mystery and part family domestic drama, with the dual timelines interweaving nicely.
Overall: would happily recommend for any readers interested by the synopsis.
November 6, 2022
Serena Burcick's dazzling multigenerational tale is full of mystery, suspense, and intrigue.
THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey is deft, lyrical, and supremely satisfying— a bittersweet tale of loss, destiny, and the strings of deep love that bind us together across the years.
Multi-layered, alternating with dual timelines and POV, each equally as compelling. I loved every minute of this book!
England, 1898. Evelyn marries the famous novelist William Aubrey. However, he has writer's block, and Evelyn was a writer. He steals her work and claims it as his own. This man is a monster. She is devastated and somewhat trapped being a woman in this era, but she has a revenge plan!
Would William rather be remembered as a murderer than be exposed as a fraudulent writer?
California, 2006. Abigail (Abby), lives in her grandparent's guesthouse, wandering through life to find her place. Her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey. She never knew her father, and her mom never told her. Years after her mother's death, she finds a photo and a message.
She is tenacious and decides to take off for England to seek answers to the past.
She shows up at Abbington Hall and meets the caretakers, Sally, and brother Thomas. They are not blood relatives of the Aubreys but are related by marriage. They invite her in, and Abby stays with them for an extended period while researching her past. I loved the three of them together! I also loved Lesley's character and his relationship with Evelyn.
Did William murder Evelyn? Were the house and the women cursed? Many of the women died. Abby had been conjuring ghosts her whole life, so maybe here inside these ancient whispering walls, they would finally tell her something.
Serena Burdick's twisty plot will keep you guessing even as her characters steal your heart.
I loved Evelyn! I usually like the past timelines better which here there was so much intrigue. Still, I also found the present timeline with Abby fascinating as she searched desperately for her heritage and past.
The two timelines and tales intertwine beautifully and come together seamlessly.
Powerful and spellbinding, in this gorgeous ode to books, storytellers, and literary secrets, we see the power of women through generations who must take charge of their lives and future.
With well-developed characters, Burdick is a born storyteller, keeping the reader on the edge as she expertly unveils the truths and lies driving this gripping, lyrical, and captivating tale!
You may be reminded of the movie/book The Wife by Meg Wolitzer, an author whose husband steals her work. Get this one on your list. Whether you enjoy historical, literary, or women's fiction, thrillers, suspense, mysteries, or family dramas, THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey has it all!
Thank you to #ParkRow and #NetGalley for an eARC to read, review, and enjoy. #CoverCrush
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 1, 2022
My Rating 5 🌟 STARS
Nov 2022 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2022
THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey is deft, lyrical, and supremely satisfying— a bittersweet tale of loss, destiny, and the strings of deep love that bind us together across the years.
Multi-layered, alternating with dual timelines and POV, each equally as compelling. I loved every minute of this book!
England, 1898. Evelyn marries the famous novelist William Aubrey. However, he has writer's block, and Evelyn was a writer. He steals her work and claims it as his own. This man is a monster. She is devastated and somewhat trapped being a woman in this era, but she has a revenge plan!
Would William rather be remembered as a murderer than be exposed as a fraudulent writer?
California, 2006. Abigail (Abby), lives in her grandparent's guesthouse, wandering through life to find her place. Her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey. She never knew her father, and her mom never told her. Years after her mother's death, she finds a photo and a message.
She is tenacious and decides to take off for England to seek answers to the past.
She shows up at Abbington Hall and meets the caretakers, Sally, and brother Thomas. They are not blood relatives of the Aubreys but are related by marriage. They invite her in, and Abby stays with them for an extended period while researching her past. I loved the three of them together! I also loved Lesley's character and his relationship with Evelyn.
Did William murder Evelyn? Were the house and the women cursed? Many of the women died. Abby had been conjuring ghosts her whole life, so maybe here inside these ancient whispering walls, they would finally tell her something.
Serena Burdick's twisty plot will keep you guessing even as her characters steal your heart.
I loved Evelyn! I usually like the past timelines better which here there was so much intrigue. Still, I also found the present timeline with Abby fascinating as she searched desperately for her heritage and past.
The two timelines and tales intertwine beautifully and come together seamlessly.
Powerful and spellbinding, in this gorgeous ode to books, storytellers, and literary secrets, we see the power of women through generations who must take charge of their lives and future.
With well-developed characters, Burdick is a born storyteller, keeping the reader on the edge as she expertly unveils the truths and lies driving this gripping, lyrical, and captivating tale!
You may be reminded of the movie/book The Wife by Meg Wolitzer, an author whose husband steals her work. Get this one on your list. Whether you enjoy historical, literary, or women's fiction, thrillers, suspense, mysteries, or family dramas, THE STOLEN BOOK of Evelyn Aubrey has it all!
Thank you to #ParkRow and #NetGalley for an eARC to read, review, and enjoy. #CoverCrush
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 1, 2022
My Rating 5 🌟 STARS
Nov 2022 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2022
December 19, 2022
This intriguing multi-generational, dual-timeline story starts in England 1898. Evelyn, a young woman raised in society, is swept off her feet and marries famous writer William Aubrey. While a writer herself, she is held back not only by the times but by her controlling husband, who is plagued by writer's block and resents his wife's talent. Six years later, Evelyn mysteriously disappears. In Berkeley, California, 2006, Abby Phillips, a young woman in her early thirties, continues to mourn the loss of her mother who died during the 1989 San Francisco earthquake and leads a life without direction. While she never knew anything about her father, she discovers clues to his identity and goes on a search to find him. She learns that Evelyn Aubrey is her great, great grandmother and becomes determined to learn more about her fate. Abby heads to England to visit Abbington Hall, Evelyn's ancestral home. Did William murder Evelyn as was suspected by London society, cursing all the generations to follow? Will the discovery of her family history help Abby deal with her loss?
Author Serena Burdick, when asked to describe her latest book, said, "literary scandal, mystery, betrayal and lies." The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is all that and more. I enjoyed both the gothic-style turn of the 20th century narrative as well as Abby's modern-era journey but was entranced the most by Evelyn's story. The descriptions of the settings, the deep emotions felt by the characters and the ultimate strength of the main female characters, made this a very satisfying read.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Author Serena Burdick, when asked to describe her latest book, said, "literary scandal, mystery, betrayal and lies." The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is all that and more. I enjoyed both the gothic-style turn of the 20th century narrative as well as Abby's modern-era journey but was entranced the most by Evelyn's story. The descriptions of the settings, the deep emotions felt by the characters and the ultimate strength of the main female characters, made this a very satisfying read.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
December 3, 2022
I really enjoy a good dual timeline mystery and The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey absolutely fit that bill. What's not to love - there are books, missing, presumed murdered people and the mystery of who Abby's father was. I was enthralled, really enjoyed a step back to the 1890's.
1898 England - we meet inspiring writer Evelyn, who marries writer William Aubrey. Life is good, she is happy. Until William gets writers block and becomes abusive and nasty. To top things off, he steals her book and passes it off as his own. Now Evelyn wants revenge....
2006 California - Abby lives with her grandparents after the death of her mother. She never knew who her father was. But one day she comes across a clue hidden at her grandmother's home, that starts her off on a quest to find her father. She finds a lot more than she bargains for.
Learning how few rights women had back in Evelyn's time was frustrating to say the least. So thankful to be alive in a time where we are treated equally - mostly anyway!
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for my copy of this book to read. An interesting read, broadening my reading journey.
1898 England - we meet inspiring writer Evelyn, who marries writer William Aubrey. Life is good, she is happy. Until William gets writers block and becomes abusive and nasty. To top things off, he steals her book and passes it off as his own. Now Evelyn wants revenge....
2006 California - Abby lives with her grandparents after the death of her mother. She never knew who her father was. But one day she comes across a clue hidden at her grandmother's home, that starts her off on a quest to find her father. She finds a lot more than she bargains for.
Learning how few rights women had back in Evelyn's time was frustrating to say the least. So thankful to be alive in a time where we are treated equally - mostly anyway!
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for my copy of this book to read. An interesting read, broadening my reading journey.
December 18, 2022
I love reading dual-POV, multigenerational historical fiction with undertones of fantasy, so I had high hopes for this novel. the first 1/3 of the book was very compelling and drew me in. however, the remaining 2/3 fell flat for me. I enjoyed Burdick’s writing, but I feel like she tried to cover too many plot points without sufficiently developing any of them, which I will go into detail about below:
the half-hearted explanation behind “the curse” associated with Evelyn Aubrey… so is it real or not? if the curse is indeed real and tied to the moonstone necklace, does that mean every woman who died by drowning in the Aubrey lineage must have owned the necklace at some point? does that mean Abby and Lillian escaped the curse just by getting rid of the necklace, ever though they never owned it the entire time they had nightmares about drowning? idk, this whole storyline just felt messy and unresolved to me.
additionally, Evelyn’s instant friendship/maternal connection to Lesley didn’t feel believable to me for some reason. I wish we had more scenes featuring the two of them and further development of their relationship, which may have helped make it seem more authentic. similarly, Abby rekindling her romance with Josiah towards the end of the book also felt rushed and underdeveloped.
finally, Abby’s grandparents having a sudden change in perspective and apologizing for being emotionally unavailable her whole life threw me off… how did they arrive at that conclusion? what thought processes or conversations had to occur to get them to that point? I feel like that’s not a realization or level of self-awareness you arrive at overnight, which is how the story made it seem.
this book could have been so magical and moving if either 1) excess plot points were cut out entirely, or 2) each plot point was further developed and tied together more effectively in the end. overall, this book earned 3 stars from me for its honest and touching depictions of grief, the theme of found family, and Evelyn’s POV and main storyline with William
the half-hearted explanation behind “the curse” associated with Evelyn Aubrey… so is it real or not? if the curse is indeed real and tied to the moonstone necklace, does that mean every woman who died by drowning in the Aubrey lineage must have owned the necklace at some point? does that mean Abby and Lillian escaped the curse just by getting rid of the necklace, ever though they never owned it the entire time they had nightmares about drowning? idk, this whole storyline just felt messy and unresolved to me.
additionally, Evelyn’s instant friendship/maternal connection to Lesley didn’t feel believable to me for some reason. I wish we had more scenes featuring the two of them and further development of their relationship, which may have helped make it seem more authentic. similarly, Abby rekindling her romance with Josiah towards the end of the book also felt rushed and underdeveloped.
finally, Abby’s grandparents having a sudden change in perspective and apologizing for being emotionally unavailable her whole life threw me off… how did they arrive at that conclusion? what thought processes or conversations had to occur to get them to that point? I feel like that’s not a realization or level of self-awareness you arrive at overnight, which is how the story made it seem.
this book could have been so magical and moving if either 1) excess plot points were cut out entirely, or 2) each plot point was further developed and tied together more effectively in the end. overall, this book earned 3 stars from me for its honest and touching depictions of grief, the theme of found family, and Evelyn’s POV and main storyline with William
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2022
I love a good mystery with a split timeline. The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey has a secret rooted in the past with far reaching implications. In England in the late 1890s, Evelyn married William Aubrey, a famous writer. As a writer herself, she was madly in love and imagined a bright future for them. When William suffers writers block, he becomes abusive and mean and, ultimately, betrays Evelyn by stealing her novel and passing it off as his own. In a world where women have few rights and are controlled by men, there wasn’t much Evelyn could do. But there was something she could do, so she did.
In California, near present day, Abigail loved with her grandparents after the death of her mother. She’s never known her father and nobody speaks of him. She finds a picture and a name that connects her to Evelyn Aubrey, who disappeared on the same day her husband’s last novel was published. Abigail throws caution to the wind and journeys to England to look for information about Evelyn and her family. While all of England thought William murdered Evelyn, Abigail has another theory.
I LOVED this book. So well written with plot twist after plot twist. It kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend!!
In California, near present day, Abigail loved with her grandparents after the death of her mother. She’s never known her father and nobody speaks of him. She finds a picture and a name that connects her to Evelyn Aubrey, who disappeared on the same day her husband’s last novel was published. Abigail throws caution to the wind and journeys to England to look for information about Evelyn and her family. While all of England thought William murdered Evelyn, Abigail has another theory.
I LOVED this book. So well written with plot twist after plot twist. It kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend!!
December 5, 2022
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A dual timeline, plagiarism of a novel and a transatlantic family connection are all interwoven in this well crafted story.
The discovery of family secrets and history lead Abby on a journey to England.
In 1898 Evelyn marries famous novelist William Aubrey.
Marital bliss is all encompassing until writers block erodes the initial joy.
The cracks appear and a jealousy over Evelyn’s writing talent seeps into the union. The theft of her novel was fraudulently passed off as his own work and he reaps the benefits financially and publicly.
Never mess with an intelligent woman.
Abby in the early 2000’s is at a crossroads in her life.
Her mother has died and she knows little of her father.
An inscribed photograph reveals she is related to late authoress Evelyn Aubrey.
A journey to England to trace her lineage ensues.
The secrets and betrayals unravel as she seeks clues into her own heritage.
I felt very satisfied after reading this, it had a layer of richness that added to its depth. The secret life of two authors and the rewriting of a story a clever element.
The benefits of journals, the google of the era, can never be underestimated.
A dual timeline, plagiarism of a novel and a transatlantic family connection are all interwoven in this well crafted story.
The discovery of family secrets and history lead Abby on a journey to England.
In 1898 Evelyn marries famous novelist William Aubrey.
Marital bliss is all encompassing until writers block erodes the initial joy.
The cracks appear and a jealousy over Evelyn’s writing talent seeps into the union. The theft of her novel was fraudulently passed off as his own work and he reaps the benefits financially and publicly.
Never mess with an intelligent woman.
Abby in the early 2000’s is at a crossroads in her life.
Her mother has died and she knows little of her father.
An inscribed photograph reveals she is related to late authoress Evelyn Aubrey.
A journey to England to trace her lineage ensues.
The secrets and betrayals unravel as she seeks clues into her own heritage.
I felt very satisfied after reading this, it had a layer of richness that added to its depth. The secret life of two authors and the rewriting of a story a clever element.
The benefits of journals, the google of the era, can never be underestimated.
November 12, 2022
3.25 rounded to 3.
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is a dual time line book. In the late nineteenth century Evely married William, a supposed famous author, or was he? Out of the darkness in their marriage Evelyn writes and William takes and publishes. They have one child and from his springs a sad and relatively unhappy family.
Abigail unbeknown to her springs from this family many years later through her father - whom she doesn't know or has met. She is a rather unsettled young woman who goes on a journey to find out who her father is, starting in England and then back to the USA.
Both women, related to each other, make their own journeys into new ways of seeing things and starting over. We don't get the full story of Evelyn but we can surmise that she went on under a different name in America. Abigail on finding what she has looked for and more seems to have found her footing and will go on to make a good life for herself.
I enjoyed reading this novel, I wanted to find out what happened to each woman and how one life affected another. That said, it didn't quite draw me in enough to rate it highly.
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is a dual time line book. In the late nineteenth century Evely married William, a supposed famous author, or was he? Out of the darkness in their marriage Evelyn writes and William takes and publishes. They have one child and from his springs a sad and relatively unhappy family.
Abigail unbeknown to her springs from this family many years later through her father - whom she doesn't know or has met. She is a rather unsettled young woman who goes on a journey to find out who her father is, starting in England and then back to the USA.
Both women, related to each other, make their own journeys into new ways of seeing things and starting over. We don't get the full story of Evelyn but we can surmise that she went on under a different name in America. Abigail on finding what she has looked for and more seems to have found her footing and will go on to make a good life for herself.
I enjoyed reading this novel, I wanted to find out what happened to each woman and how one life affected another. That said, it didn't quite draw me in enough to rate it highly.
November 20, 2022
4.5 rounded up.......It was a cold rainy afternoon when I sat down with this book (and a cup of tea) and lost my self in the world of England 1898 with Evelyn Aubrey, an author, who decides to write her way out of a very unhappy marriage and Abigail from California 2006, who finds a picture of a father she has never known and begins a hunt for his identity. Evelyn's and Abigail's cleverly crafted and beautifully written stories were absolutely compelling, gripping and deeply moving. I did not get out of my chair until I had finished. I could not stop turning the pages as it was an utterly absorbing read! This is a multi-layered mystery of family secrets, jealousy, passion and revenge that has masterful prose and pace. It has a bit of Agatha Christie vibes, especially in Evelyn's story. I highly highly recommend this captivating, unputdownable, spellbinding mystery read!
December 11, 2022
This story was told in dual timelines; Evelyn in 1898 and Abby in 2006. The Evelyn timeline started out very interesting but then fizzled out long before the end. I didn't learn much more about her life by the end than I knew at the halfway point. I'm still not sure what value the Abby timeline added to the book. If the author had focused on Evelyn and thoroughly developed that story, this could have been a great book.
January 19, 2023
My first read of 2023 and it was fantastic! THE STOLEN BOOK OF EVELYN AUBREY is an atmospheric dual-timeline novel where both stories are equally compelling. Abby seeks to find herself by looking to her family's past, and her growth is lovely to watch as she unravels the mystery of her ancestor, Evelyn Aubrey. Evelyn's story is absolutely gripping as she deals with, IMO, a narcissistic husband determined to keep her "in her place." Evelyn is too smart and resourceful for that, and at times shows (again IMO) a dark empath side that is fascinating. Both storylines have satisfying endings and Burdick is an author I'll be reading again. Highly recommend!
February 28, 2023
I am going against the majority with this one, but it just didn't work for me. This is a dual timeline story with Evelyn falling in love with author. William Aubrey in 1898. Against the wishes of her family, they marry. He quickly becomes cruel and when he gets writer's block, he steals the draft of the book Evelyn has been working on and publishes it as his own. During that time, women had very little rights, so there was not much she could do about it. The second timeline is set in 2006, when Abigail's mother dies, she becomes more interested in finding her father. She stumbles upon his photo and a message that her great-great-grandmother was the author Evelyn Aubrey. Abigail heads to England in search for answers. She learns about Evelyn’s disappearance and how London society believed she was murdered. But from what she uncovers about Evelyn, Abigail believes her brilliant great-great-grandmother had another plot up her sleeve. Will Abigail solve the mystery of what really happened to Evelyn Aubrey? Will she find her father?
This was a dual timeline story that I struggled with. The two storylines didn't flow well in my opinion and I struggled to keep the story straight. I did like Evelyn and how she got back at William, but the present day story didn't really interest me. Overall, this book was just meh for me. The audiobook was well narrated by Karen Cass and was probably why I stuck with this one. If you enjoy a mystery that lasts over 100 years, family secrets and stories of women who get back at a man who takes advantage of them, then pick up this book. You may love it as much as the others did.
This was a dual timeline story that I struggled with. The two storylines didn't flow well in my opinion and I struggled to keep the story straight. I did like Evelyn and how she got back at William, but the present day story didn't really interest me. Overall, this book was just meh for me. The audiobook was well narrated by Karen Cass and was probably why I stuck with this one. If you enjoy a mystery that lasts over 100 years, family secrets and stories of women who get back at a man who takes advantage of them, then pick up this book. You may love it as much as the others did.
May 8, 2023
This was a fast and easy read. The chapters alternated between two female characters, one from the late 1800's and one from 2006. They are linked together tangentially. The 1800's character, Evelyn, is an unpublished writer and a strong, independent minded woman for her time. She chooses to marry another writer, William, over her previous safe and somewhat boring fiancee, Peter. As the story progresses, William shows a dark side and eventually ends up stealing Evelyn's writings and selling them as his own. Evelyn plots her revenge and the story involving her surrounds how her marriage to William evolves and what happens after she learns he has stolen her work.
The more modern character, Abby, is in her early 30's and can be described as a wanderer - not physically, but emotionally. She can't seem to feel settled. She has never known who her father is and her mother died when she was young. She has been raised by her grandparents, with whom she still lives. While she is in a relationship, she doesn't feel strongly about it. She finds a book of poems and a picture of her mother with someone she presumes to be her father and goes in search to find her roots. I liked her character less than Evelyn's, but not so much as to change my opinion of the book.
The more modern character, Abby, is in her early 30's and can be described as a wanderer - not physically, but emotionally. She can't seem to feel settled. She has never known who her father is and her mother died when she was young. She has been raised by her grandparents, with whom she still lives. While she is in a relationship, she doesn't feel strongly about it. She finds a book of poems and a picture of her mother with someone she presumes to be her father and goes in search to find her roots. I liked her character less than Evelyn's, but not so much as to change my opinion of the book.
December 21, 2022
Another great dual timeline historical fiction book about a woman writer whose husband steals her work and passes it off as her own and her descendant who discovers the truth years later. I really enjoyed both timelines and thought the narration by Karen Cass. Perfect for fans of A. S. Byatt's Possession!
January 20, 2024
The premise for this novel is certainly enticing and having read and enjoyed Serena Burdick’s previous novel, I was expecting to enjoy this one. Unfortunately, enjoy is the polar opposite of my experience with this story. I’ve been listening to it on audio and at first, I wondered if it was the narration that was bothering me. The narrator sounds fine when she’s speaking in her normal voice but there are American characters and her voice for those employs a fake accent that grates, particularly unfortunate given that the main character in the modern storyline is in fact American. In the end though, it’s not the narrator’s fault I didn’t enjoy this novel. That responsibility lies with the author.
The story just leans too much towards the dramatic. The characters are all entirely unpleasant, some of them selfish and cruel, others just a complete waste of space. Evelyn Aubrey is the worst of them, followed closely by Abigail. One is entirely self-absorbed, the other pathetic and useless. I’m not sure if the author was trying too hard for a gothic tragedy, but as far as I’m concerned, nothing worked with this novel. The only reason I kept listening was to see if it could get more absurd as it went along, which it did. There’s a fine line between flawed characters and unlikeable characters. Sadly, this one is populated entirely with unlikeable ones, and I couldn’t muster any empathy or interest in their lives.
The story just leans too much towards the dramatic. The characters are all entirely unpleasant, some of them selfish and cruel, others just a complete waste of space. Evelyn Aubrey is the worst of them, followed closely by Abigail. One is entirely self-absorbed, the other pathetic and useless. I’m not sure if the author was trying too hard for a gothic tragedy, but as far as I’m concerned, nothing worked with this novel. The only reason I kept listening was to see if it could get more absurd as it went along, which it did. There’s a fine line between flawed characters and unlikeable characters. Sadly, this one is populated entirely with unlikeable ones, and I couldn’t muster any empathy or interest in their lives.
December 2, 2022
Note to self: do not re read this book. The beginning of the book was so good and until the middle, it was interesting and I had high hopes. The additional story of Abby actually made Evelyn’s story become confusing. There were so many characters and their relation to each other was a mangled mess. The ending of the book could have been interesting if not for Abby and so many unnecessary events have happened that by the end, I could remember the significance of the ending.
November 20, 2022
Interesting premise but way too long. An editor was needed.
Read
December 26, 2022That time I was 40% into a novel and realized I didn't care what was happening...
#DNF #NotYouItsMe #MaybeItsYou #NotMyCuppa
#DNF #NotYouItsMe #MaybeItsYou #NotMyCuppa
March 17, 2023
It was a good story, just kind of boring and left a lot unanswered.
April 24, 2023
Too confusing🥳
May 16, 2024
I love a multiple POV story, as well as I love a multi timeline story. This should have been a win/win. Overall I enjoyed it. I listened to it for 2 days straight because I was so interested in how the story ends.
Now that it is over, I'm able to see the few flaws that prevent me from ranking this higher.
We have Evelyn in the 1900's. Her story is the most interesting part, it could have been its own standalone honestly, however uncovering her story via her own POV as well as the current day POV was fun.
She is a newlywed who's marriage and life start to crumble pretty quickly after her rushed marriage. In her POV we learn all about how the men in her life have failed her and how being a women in the 1900's was not an easy feat.
Next we have Abigail (Abby) in current day (2006), her mother passed away when she was 14, she is now 31 and still hasn't found her footing in this world. She is quite hard to like, so her chapters were harder if they didn't have to do with Evelyn.
Abby finds a photo of her mother and father - who she's never met, and a book of poetry written by her Great - Great - Grandmother (Evelyn) and sets off on a journey to England to find what she can.
As this story progresses I was invested. I needed to know the tragedy of Evelyn's life, what really happened and how everything went down.
Here is what I didn't love, there were too many characters in the family tree and I couldn't keep them straight. If I had read the actual book instead of the audio book I would have made a chart.
When we got to the end, it felt rushed. While we did learn about what happened to Evelyn, it felt anti-climatic after listening for 10 hours.
overall I liked it, the end just felt like it was called in by the understudy and I didn't love that.
Now that it is over, I'm able to see the few flaws that prevent me from ranking this higher.
We have Evelyn in the 1900's. Her story is the most interesting part, it could have been its own standalone honestly, however uncovering her story via her own POV as well as the current day POV was fun.
She is a newlywed who's marriage and life start to crumble pretty quickly after her rushed marriage. In her POV we learn all about how the men in her life have failed her and how being a women in the 1900's was not an easy feat.
Next we have Abigail (Abby) in current day (2006), her mother passed away when she was 14, she is now 31 and still hasn't found her footing in this world. She is quite hard to like, so her chapters were harder if they didn't have to do with Evelyn.
Abby finds a photo of her mother and father - who she's never met, and a book of poetry written by her Great - Great - Grandmother (Evelyn) and sets off on a journey to England to find what she can.
As this story progresses I was invested. I needed to know the tragedy of Evelyn's life, what really happened and how everything went down.
Here is what I didn't love, there were too many characters in the family tree and I couldn't keep them straight. If I had read the actual book instead of the audio book I would have made a chart.
When we got to the end, it felt rushed. While we did learn about what happened to Evelyn, it felt anti-climatic after listening for 10 hours.
overall I liked it, the end just felt like it was called in by the understudy and I didn't love that.
December 29, 2022
Very good mystery. It had an Agatha Christie/Mary Shelley vibe that I just loved!
March 18, 2024
I was thinking 2 stars, but generous 3 stars. The dual timelines were abrupt. I would've been perfectly happy with just Evelyn's story. I was bored with Abby's.
January 29, 2023
To say I was surprised by this read would be an understatement. I saw the reviews on this book and was torn. Had to pick another 50% off option at B&N and due to the lack of other options, I decided to take a chance with this. So glad I did. loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. The dual stories weren’t confusing to me at all. So much going on….love, deceit, heartache, tragedy, loss, revenge and so much more. I highly recommend this read!
November 1, 2022
This book is amazing!!!!! So hard to put down!!!! Historical fiction fans will love this just as I do.
June 23, 2023
I don't think there was a single character in this book that I actually liked.... However, I don't think characters are always meant to be liked and you don't have to like them to appreciate the story. I liked the plot but I wish it focused more on Evelyn, her story was the more interesting of the two. Overall it was a good read, but I probably won't be re-reading it anytime soon.
November 15, 2022
For readers who enjoy selfish characters, this murder mystery is just the ticket. Set in two time periods, 1900 and 2006, the odd Aubrey family of five generations is egocentric beyond belief. They write books and poetry and always seem to have plenty of money even though they don’t work much, and they argue constantly with plenty of marital affairs amid their selfishness. It’s an intriguing bunch, not living realistic lives in either time period. And you will be wondering if a murder was actually committed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 734 reviews