Miss Aldridge Regrets

‘Charming characters, a cross-Atlantic setting, jazz, cocktails, sex and a brilliant murder mystery. You couldn’t ask for more! I loved it’ Harriet Tyce ‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love ‘An engrossing read’ Guardian ‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer * * * London, 1936 Lena Aldridge is wondering if life has passed her by. The dazzling theatre career she hoped for hasn’t worked out. Instead, she’s stuck singing in a sticky-floored basement club in Soho and her married lover has just left her. She has nothing to look forward to until a stranger offers her the chance of a lifetime: a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary bound for New York. After a murder at the club, the timing couldn’t be better and Lena jumps at the chance to escape England. Until death follows her onto the ship and she realises that her greatest performance has already begun. Because someone is making manoeuvres behind the scenes, and there’s only one thing on their mind… MURDER Miss Aldridge Regrets is the exquisite new novel from Louise Hare. A brilliant murder mystery, it also explores class, race and pre-WWII politics, and will leave readers reeling from the beauty and power of it. * * * WHAT AUTHORS ARE SAYING ABOUT MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS: ‘A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through’ Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You 'Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won't forget. I loved it' Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man ‘A sublimely told murder mystery which oozes class in every sense. Fully deserves the Christie comparisons’ Trevor Wood, The Man on the Street ‘Clever, evocative and immersive. Smart plotting and a compelling heroine will keep you turning the pages at speed’ Adele Parks, Platinum

Praise for Miss Aldridge Regrets ‘Charming characters, a cross-Atlantic setting, jazz, cocktails, sex and a brilliant murder mystery. You couldn’t ask for more! I loved it’ Harriet Tyce ‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love ‘A sublimely told murder mystery which oozes class in every sense. Fully deserves the Christie comparisons’ Trevor Wood, The Man on the Street ‘A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through’ Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You 'Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won't forget. I loved it' Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man ‘Giving off the best Agatha Christie vibes but also compelling issues of race and identity . . . Keeps you guessing until the end’ Julie Owen Moylan, The Green Eyed Girl ‘Perfectly evokes the glamour of the Queen Mary as well as the gritty underbelly of 1930s Soho. Beautiful writing, striking characters and a twisting plot make this a compelling read’ Anita Frank, The Return ‘All the intrigue of a juicy Agatha Christie with a shot of something extra strong and dry. It’s a sumptuous voyage with the most unexpected conclusion’ Beth Morrey, Saving Missy ‘An engrossing read’ Guardian ‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer ‘Completely thrilling . . . enormously entertaining . . . Miss Aldridge Regrets deserves recognition every bit as much as the books from Golden Age crime writers like Agatha Christie because it’s so well written’ My Weekly Online

Louise Hare is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, she has found inspiration in the capital for much of her work, including This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets. This Lovely City was featured on the inaugural BBC Two TV book club show, Between the Covers, shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize, and longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award. Louise was selected for the Observer Top 10 Best Debut Novelists list in 2020, securing her place as an author to watch. Miss Aldridge Regrets is her second novel.