THE ENGLISH WIFE On Location– and Give Away!
Only six more months now until The English Wife appears in stores!
For a book that I think of as being primarily a New York book, The English Wife gets around. The settings in the book include 1890s London, Belle Epoque Paris, rural Lincolnshire, glitzy Newport, Gilded Age Manhattan (both uptown and down), and various points around the Hudson Valley, including Cold Spring, Carmel, and Tarrytown (but mostly Cold Spring).
So, for the next few months, I’ll be posting pictures of the various settings from the novel: the houses, the scenery, and so on.
Here’s my question for you: where should I begin? Which setting would you like to see first?
One person who comments on this post will receive an ARC of The English Wife….
Here’s the official blurb:
From the New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Willig, comes this scandalous New York Gilded Age novel full of family secrets, affairs, and even murder.
Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?
The English Wife is available for pre-order in hardcover from your favorite local bookseller, Amazon
The winner will be announced on Sunday.
London will always have my heart first.
Glitzy Newport
I’m all for 1890’s London…but would like tour the entire book! Way too much fun!
Yay so exciting! Maybe start with whatever shows up first in the book? Sort of like a chronological location tour. The Forgotten Room got me obsessed with old houses. Well, that and HGTV.
Bwah ha ha. (And other evil laughter noises.) If you want to fall down a real old house rabbit hole, try New York Social Diary’s Big Old Houses column…. Such great before and after pictures!
I’d love to see 1890s London. Just to visit, of course!
London is best!
1890’s London for sure ❤️
All of them!!!! But glitzy Newport sounds like a fantastic start!
Gilded Age NY, but really all of them!
Can’t wait to be transported to all the places on the list, but first, I pick Newport.
If you can somehow travel to 1890’s London… Then what are you still doing here?! Also- please take me with you!
Go to 1890s London for the scenic atmosphere… return to the present day for the indoor plumbing?
I will always choose London but enjoy the others as well! Looking forward to reading this!
Always London, although NY & the Hudson Valley are up there too 🙂
1890’s London 🙂
Tough choice! However I do love the Hudson Valley!
Since my daughter now lives in Manhattan, I would love to see the Gilded Age — the houses, the fashions, the society parties!! Yes, please!
New York and the Hudson Valley.
Gilded Age New York, hands down!!
Ooooh I want to read it all, but 1890’s London sounds intriguing.
Well, if we have to start somewhere… being French… Belle Epoque Paris??
1890s London!
I would love to win this book!
I would like you to begin with the New York Gilded Age.
1890s London !!!! I can’t wait to see them all, newport is a close second !
I’ve never heard of Cold Spring! I’d choose there first! 🙂
It is a little village next to the railroad tracks, just north of Beacon.
Now I’ve got “little town… it’s a quiet village” stuck in my head!
Actually it’s just south of Beacon, on Rt 9D. ?
Can’t wait for this one! My vote is Manhattan.
Mansions and towns of the Hudson Valley!!! It’s where I grew up and I am familiar with many of them, which is why I am really extra excited about this book!
Well, less the mansions than the small towns. I grew up in Dutchess County and still recite some of the towns from the train. My fav being Manitou! Manitou!
Sheila, I know what you mean! I have that Hudson Line line-up memorized…. And– fun fact– that’s where I got the heroine’s husband’s last name: Duyvil from Spuyten Duyvil!
1890’s London!
I’ve gotten more and more interested in Belle Epoque Paris, so I’d choose that!!
I love reading about them all…..I feel like I get to go back and be in that time. love all of your books because of that!! you are my top author!!!!
1890’s London!
I’m always a sucker for London, though Belle Epoque Paris is also a draw. Thank you for the opportunity!
I am feeling very rural Lincolnshire today.
1890s London, for sure!
Belle Époque
London
Gilded Age New York for all its hopes and dreams!
What a good way of phrasing it! It’s a moment when the city does seem particularly alive with those hopes and dreams, moving and changing and bustling. (Even as some people are trying to cling desperately to The Way Things Were.)
Belle Époque Paris, just because I’ve been reading more in the other areas recently
What a great question to pose! I love all of those time periods and have read many books in each of them. But I admit that I am first drawn to 1890’s London. Sigh. I would be thrilled to read and review “The English Wife.” I have been really looking forward it. Fingers crossed and thanks for your giveaway.
Thanks, Connie!
Glitzy Newport intrigues me. It’s such a neat town to walk through. I’ve been in 3 of the mansions there and you can just tell they are full of stories. If only walls could talk!
If only! Because you know that the memoirs and letters only tell the half of it….
I would love to read a book from any of these times and locations! So a book with all of them sounds absolutely perfect to me! I cannot wait to get my hands on this book – it sounds unputdownable!
Thanks, Carri!
That’s a tough one, they all sound fascinating! But probably Newport (since I visited it recently) or 1890s London
Oh god… that’s a hard one! If I had to pick, I’d probably say the Hudson Valley!
I suppose London. ..but to only pick one!?
1890s London!!
I absolutely live for everything 19th century London!!! ??
Gilded Age NY for sure!!!
Newport, all the way! My dad was stationed there in the late 80s, when I was born, and I’ve always had a fascination with the luxe “summer cottages” of the wealthy. I can even claim that I once lived in one of those mansions! (My parents briefly rented from one of the lesser mansions, which had been divvied into apartments).
Oooh, so neat! You have to wonder what went on there a hundred or so years before.
Gilded Age Manhattan for sure!!!
1890s London would get my vote. So much going on!
Rural Lincolnshire sounds lovely
I’ll add my name to those choosing Belle Epoque Paris. Don’t know much about that period, but I’m anxious to hear about all of them.
Really looking forward to this book!
Hi, Ms. Willig! I have always been intrigued by the Gilded Age NY, having taught The Great Gatsby for the last ten years! ?
I would love to see Paris first, then 1890s London, what a fascinating time.
Lincolnshire! My sister married a Brit and is moving there soon! Where should she visit for me????
1890s London.
Ooh 1890’s London!
I have been to Newport and can only imagine what it must have been like in the glory days! And Belle Epoque Paris must have been glorious! I think I would be most interested in seeing rural Lincolnshire or 1890s London.
Newport! And it sounds like a great book!
Tough choices!…I think – Guilded Age New York!!
Love the gilded age especially NY at this time.
Definitely London! I am so fascinated by that time in London!
1890’s London but rural Lincolnshire interests me too.
1890s London but rural Lincolnshire interests me too.
Why do I have to choose?!?? 😉 I would love to see them all!
Gilded Age New York! High society, high drama!
Rural Lincolnshire!
Rural Lincolnshire!!!
Hudson River scenes!
I was going to say Paris, as it’s the one I know least about, until you mentioned Cold Spring. I was born there and am agog to see how it appears in your book!
So fabulous that you were born there! Back in the days of Butterfield Hospital? (Which is, sadly, gone now.) While I was researching, I found a whole dissertation on Cold Spring in the 19th century– it was fascinating seeing the town from a whole new angle!
Definitely Newport!
The Gilded Age in NY really has my interest lately but I always love London!
Hudson Valley mansions and and towns! Looking forward to reading it (winning or purchasing it on my own!)
1890’s England!
1890’s England.
1890’s London❤️
Belle Epoque Paris. But I do love London too
Gilded age New York OR London which is my go-to always!
As an Anglophile, I’m going to say 1890’s London. I’m also interested in reading about Tarrytown, though, because my parents lived there after they got married.
1890s in London.?
The houses. We lived in Fishkill, NY for several years. Love all the scenery in the area.
London
I will always love 1890s London, but I have been on a Gilded Age stint here lately.
Cold Spring! I spent many summers there working in a sleep away camp. It’s a beautiful area and I’d love to read more about it!
Well, Illyria itself of course!!! Houses always tell you so much about the people who build them.
So true!!!
So excited for this book – lots of my favorite things to read about all in one place!
Thanks, Liz!
Newport! I’d love to learn more about it
I know it’s not the most glamorous but rural Lincolnshire would be a lovely place to spend the off season ?
To “rusticate”, as they used to call it. : )
Whatever is the first location in the book. And then go as they appear. Of course, the more London the better.
I’m won over every time with London. Very much looking forward to your book. I recently had a real estate transaction with some Knickbockers lol.
Hudson Valley seems to be on my brain lately — I’ve been reading quite a few of Carol Goodman’s books, and the Hudson Valley is a recurring setting. I can’t wait to see how it plays into The English Wife!
I’ve been on a Carol Goodman kick, too! I love that Hudson Valley setting in her books.
Newport, because it’s near the ocean. But I’m a NYer, so NYC and Hudson valley are also really interesting g.
God save the queen!
1890s London
London, of course!!
London, Paris, and New York are some of my favorite settings!!
Gilded Age NY
I would have to go with 1890’s London, especially since I was just in London and dreaming about what it must have been like back them. ❤
It’s so fascinating walking through those streets and picking apart the layers of history….
Gilded Age New York
I’m obsessed with that era and your books! I would like to learn more about the Hudson Valley. Thanks so much for sharing your story telling talent.
Thanks so much, Bridgette!
I’m headed to London in the fall, so I’m looking for London-based inspiration!
London is my absolute favorite place in the world!
My favorite is London
Belle Époque Paris is the place and time for me!
London!
I’m going with the mansions and towns of the Hudson Valley.
London, or possibly Belle Époque Paris. Recently went to Paris, for first time and am enjoying reading books set there.
Mansions and towns of the Hudson Valley, only because the location not often written about in novels and it would be a refreshing approach as far as location and history.
I CANNOT wait!!!
Most intriguing? Belle Epoque Paris
Newport, of course! I live in Newport, RI!! Can’t wait to read your view of it!
I must admit that I am torn…1890’s London and the Victoria. Era are iconic. If this book is a mystery like all of your others, (and I have read and/or listened to ALL of your books) then I wonder if there could be shades of Sherlock, but the romance of Belle Epoch Paris and the gilded age of NYC appeal as well.
Thanks, Patricia! It’s definitely that Sherlock era (can’t you just hear the theme to the Jeremy Brett series?) with hansom cabs and pea soup fogs, but the mystery bit takes place mostly in New York– and my heroine has a journalist for sidekick, rather than a professional detective. : )
Any good English Wife would say London! (Or would she? ;))
1890s London or rural Lincolnshire hold the most interest for me. But I also have a new fascination with Gilded Age Manhattan, so that could be fun too!
I can’t wait to see all, but my first pick is Gilded Age Manhattan. Such an amazing period!
All of them! But since we have to start somewhere, let’s go to London first 🙂
Definitely 1890’s London!
Glided Age Manhattan The secrets hidden behind all the beauty intrigue me.
Belle Epoque, Paris—bien sûr.
Belle Epoque Paris!
New York–definitely!!
Hey Lauren
1890’s London
Hey Lauren!!
It would be so interesting to read this as memories from the sister when she was much, much older. As she remembers more, the unraveling of the marriage and its demise become me unveiled. Your works are brilliant Lauren!!! I am excited to get my hands on this!!!
Thanks, Kate!
Gilded Age Manhattan, please!
rural Lincolnshire
Any part of England!
Gilded Age Manhattan sounds like a fun setting that I don’t get to read too much of. Thanks for the chance!
1890s London FTW!
I’d like to see some of the Hudson Valley of the Gilded Age. Edith Wharton always interested me. London’s always a good idea, too.
London for sure!!!
I have to say Belle Epoque Paris – mais oui!
We want to see them all but least familiar with the Hudson Valley so I would like to start there…but still want to see and hear about them all!!! How will we ever be able to wait until January???
Tough choice, but I have to go with Newport.
1890’s London for sure!
Any place and time in London. Pretty sure I was born there in a previous life. I would love to visit and it’s always held a special place in my heart!
Belle Époque Paris, of course.
Gotta be Guilded Age New York. Well, New York in any age!
Hudson Valley. I grew up in New York State so it’s precious to me.
I like Gilded Age in New York!
Belle Epoque Paris! I have been fascinated with the era since I saw Gigi as a child!
Belle Époque Paris sound tres chic! All I can think is Leslie Caron and Louis Jordan in Gigi! Oh… and, of course, Maurice Chevalier.
Who doesn’t love Gigi? (Cue my sister’s and my traditional debate: “Gigi: creepy or romantic?”)
London at any time will always have my heart
Rural Lincolnshire
Belle Epoque Paris! Bonjour, Paris 🙂
1890 London
1890’s London
I always enjoy your books and am eagerly awaiting this new one. I’m looking forward to the settings in the Hudson Valley.
Paris! Or Maybe London.
I vote Hudson Valley, since I know nothing about that area. Sounds lovely though from what the other commenters are saying.
I’m going to go with the Hudson Valley. I grew up with the Trixie Belden series, so I’ll always have a soft spot for where the books were set.
Oh, the Trixie Belden books! I remember coming across those as a ten year old or so and feeling so thrilled that they were so close to home.
London forever has my heart but Newport is our summer jam so I’d love a Newport tale!
I love 1800 London England
I was able to tour a couple of the mansions in Newport years ago, so I would love to read about that area as well as London. Looking forward to the book !
gilded age Manhattan only because I don’t read enough books from that period
Paris, definitely!
I just love Paris and the Belle Epoque period just sounds so romantic! Look forward to reading more about it in your book Lauren 🙂
London has always and will always be my favorite city! This book sounds so good and I can’t wait to read it!!
My husband is from the Hudson Valley, so that is my choice.
I love the Hudson Valley! (But can’t wait to read about them all)
The Hudson Valley but I’m excited for all the places Janie is going to travel to!
London!
It’s a hard choice, but I think 1890s London because, well, London!
Toss up between Belle Epoque Paris and Gilded Age New York–love ’em both!!!!
I’d love to see Cold Spring!! I’ve enjoyed reading your books, and you’re “what I’m reading” posts have led me to some fabulous authors with whom i was previously unfamiliar! So thanks.
Thank you, Kathleen! I’m so glad you’ve found new authors here.
Paris – anything in Paris is what will grab me first, but every one of these settings is intriguing to me. Looking forward to this!
1890s London
I am partial to Newport, particularly the late 1800s…the stories the city and mansions could tell. However, I think a setting in Ireland would be fantastic!!
No Ireland in this book, I’m afraid (just the places listed above in England, France, and the U.S.)– but the book that Beatriz Williams, Karen White and I just finished writing together has a section set in what used to be Queenstown and is now Cobh.
Hudson Valley!
glitzy newport!!!!
Ooh. Let’s start rural and then get progressively ritzier.
Glitzy Newport! Have visited several times there and am always fascinated with how life must have been “in the day”.
Belle Epoque Paris, of course! The Parisians would know how to sweep a scandal like that under the rug, smiling and pouring a glass of champagne.
Belle Epoque Paris!
1890’s London for the win! 🙂
Newport! I was just there yesterday! My step-daughter and briber r love going to the mansions every summer. That makes me so happy because I have been going since I was a little girl. Passing on the tradition!
We see so much of the beautiful NY, Paris, and London. I’d love to see rural Lincolnshire, Hudson Valley, or Newport. Those are not as well known.
All are interesting historical periods. Hard to choose! Eeny, meeny, miny moe. London.
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So many apologies to everyone whose comments were stuck in my (strangely overzealous) spam filter! I’ve fished a bunch of comments out of there– and if you have any trouble posting, or don’t see your comment where it should be, just let me know!
I’m torn between 1890s London and Gilded Age Manhattan. I’m sure both are gorgeous and hold a special place in the book.
Gilded Age Manhattan!
Belle epoque France, bien sûr
Newport
They are all such wonderful places but my choice is Paris.
I love the chronological idea as well, although I’m a sucker for any rural English setting! SO EXCITED for another novel of yours, Lauren 🙂 Each one is transporting and unique but they all have your lovely humor and capacity for well written characters. No surprise they’re my favorites!
Thanks so much, Rachel! That’s so kind of you!
1890s London! Can’t get enough!
Glitzy Newport will always have my heart!!!
I will vote for Belle Epoque Paris, but I can’t wait to see all of the places. I thought I couldn’t get more excited about this upcoming book, but hearing that these are all going to be settings has caused Excitement Level Midnight.
: )
I love the phrase “level midnight”. So wonderfully shadowy….
Would love to see Newport!
Newport!
Going to be hard waiting for this one.Start with 1890’some London–though all sound enticing (and the Hudson Valley is my neck of the woods)
Gilded Age Manhattan – thanks for the contest! Would be so fun to read your new book on my honeymoon in a few weeks!
Congrats on your marriage, Jennifer!! I hope you have an amazing honeymoon.
The Hudson Valley sounds interesting!
Glitzy Newport
Newport! I love those gilded age mansions!
I vote for Cold Spring!
Manhattan The Guilded Age