The Temple of the Muses

📚 A richly imagined literary historical novel set in Georgian London, based on the true story of one woman who believed that books should be for everyone, not just the privileged few.

‘Truly inspiring.’ — JJ Marsh, author of Salt of the Earth

Volume 2 of the Chiswell Street Chronicles
The story continues...

London, 1780. As the city smoulders in the aftermath of the Gordon Riots, booksellers James and Dorcas Lackington refuse to answer despair with charity. Instead, they place their faith in something far more radical: books.

Convinced that reading offers the surest escape from poverty, the Lackingtons launch a daring experiment—pricing books so cheaply that even apprentices and servant girls can afford them. It is a bold challenge to the rigid social order of Georgian England, and one that places them squarely in danger.

Dorcas knows that life alongside James and his unshakable optimism will never be smooth. But she is no mere helpmeet. She is his compass, his conscience, and often the sharper mind. In a modest corner of Moorfields, their bookshop ignites a quiet revolution as ordinary people encounter philosophy, liberty, reason, and love for the first time.

Not everyone welcomes this awakening. The Junto, a powerful circle of men who believe that books breed dangerous ideas in the minds of the poor, move swiftly to crush the Lackingtons’ venture. As threats and intimidation escalate, Dorcas realises that survival will not come from retreat—but from becoming too large to silence.

Her answer is audacious: to build a cathedral to literature, not for kings or scholars, but for every woman and man who has ever been told that knowledge is not theirs to claim—The Temple of the Muses.

📚 Perfect for readers who enjoy books by Maggie O’Farrell, Tracy Chevalier, Hilary Mantel, Sarah Waters, or who love:

• Women’s historical fiction set in the 18th century
• Historical fiction set in London
• Literary historical fiction with strong female protagonists
• Book club fiction that sparks discussion
• Novels about the hidden women of history
• Feminist historical fiction
• Stories set in bookshops and literary worlds
• Novels about books, reading, and the lives they change

🔍 Also ideal if you’re searching for:

• Character-driven historical novels
• Emotionally rich, immersive storytelling
• Stories about forgotten voices and untold histories
• British historical fiction with strong sense of place
• Thought-provoking fiction for reflective readers
• Literary fiction that blends history with emotional depth

‘One woman’s quiet revolution in a time of flux and ferment.’ ~ Lorna Fergusson, author of The Chase

'Most historians agree that James Lackington invented the bookshop as we know it today. But few will talk about the woman who worked tirelessly at his side.' ~ Davida Chazan

'Close to perfection, I loved every sentence.' ~ Dawn Gill

'I laughed with them, and cried with them, but most importantly, I loved this story.' ~ Bronwyn Kotze

'A historical novel with a timely, modern message.' ~ Diane Reid Stevens

'I love a novel set in Georgian London with a strong, complex female lead.' ~ Sophie Artemis

Add The Temple of the Muses to your collection today.