The Sleeping Beauties

by Lucy Ashe

Overview

Late spring 1945, London: The war in Europe is over. But for Briar Woods, a dancer at Sadler’s Wells Ballet, the past resurfaces and she must come face to face with the truth. It feels as though her war has only just begun.

Since 1939, Rosamund Caradon had taken in many children from Britain’s bombarded cities, sheltering them in her Devonshire manor. Now, with Germany’s surrender, she is en route to London to return the last evacuees, accompanied by her dance-obsessed daughter Jasmine. Rosamund vows to protect Jasmine from any peril, but a chance meeting with a Sadler’s Wells dancer changes everything. When the beautiful, elusive Briar Woods bursts into Rosamund’s train carriage, it’s clear her sights are set on the captivated Jasmine. As Briar sets out to charm them both, Rosamund cannot shake the eerie feeling this accidental encounter isn’t what it seems. While Briar may be far away from the pointe shoes and greasepaint of The Sleeping Beauty ballet rehearsals, her performance for Rosamund might just be her most successful yet. A dance that could turn deadly . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454951254
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	09/10/2024
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	748,095
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Lucy Ashe is an English teacher. After training at the Royal Ballet School, she decided to change career plans and go to university. She studied English literature at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, before receiving her teaching qualification. Ashe’s poetry and short stories have been published in a number of literary journals, and she was shortlisted for the 2020 Impress Prize for New Writers. Her first novel, The Dance of the Dolls, was published in 2023. She lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

07/29/2024

Former ballerina Ashe delivers another bewitching work of dance-themed historical suspense (after The Dance of the Dolls). Rosamund Caradon spent most of WWII sheltering children from Britain’s bombed cities in her Devonshire manor. Now, in 1945, Rosamund is returning the last of her wards to their families in London. In the process, she grows worried that her daughter, Jasmine, who made friends with many of the evacuees, will soon be too lonely. En route to London, Briar Woods, a beautiful ballerina with Sadler’s Wells Ballet who embodies all of Jasmine’s dance ambitions, bursts into Rosamund and Jasmine’s train carriage. Though Rosamund is suspicious of Briar’s interest in Jasmine, she agrees to let Jasmine visit her at Sadler’s Wells. When Briar tries to convince Jasmine to live with her, however, Rosamund’s suspicions grow. In shifting timelines, Ashe fleshes out Briar’s mysterious past before and during the war—and the depth of her obsession with Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Sleeping Beauty—building to shocking revelations about her connection to Jasmine and Rosamund. Ashe’s intimate ballet knowledge and meticulous historical detail elevate the proceedings. The result is both a satisfying page-turner and a moving meditation on the role of art in times of distress. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES

“Former ballerina Ashe delivers another bewitching work of dance-themed historical suspense. . . .  Ashe’s intimate ballet knowledge and meticulous historical detail elevate the proceedings. The result is both a satisfying page-turner and a moving meditation on the role of art in times of distress.”—Publishers Weekly

“Rich with historical detail and high-stakes drama. Mesmerizing.”—Alice Robb, author of Don’t Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet

“An enchanting mix of historical fiction, fairy tale, and above all, ballet novel. Ashe’s ballet background shines through as her dancers come to life. . . . Well researched, but communicated with a light touch. Recommended for anyone who ever dreamed of becoming a dancer.”—Laura Shepperson, author of London Sunday Times bestseller The Heroines

“A wonderfully compelling, truly competent thriller. . . . Rarely have I been so keen to uncover the truth. Simply excellent.”—Historical Novel Society

“The Sleeping Beauties takes readers into the world of ballet in 1945 London. Briar Woods is a dancer at Sadler’s Wells Ballet when her past comes back to haunt her, and she must give her best performance yet to survive.” —Library Journal, Historical Fiction Preview 2024: Best Books

PRAISE FOR THE DANCE OF THE DOLLS

“The ballet world sets the stage for this terrifying psychological thriller that takes place in pre-war London.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Ashe transitions her narrative from charming slice of historical fiction to pulse-pounding suspense at an expert pace. It’s a fiercely memorable debut from a writer to watch.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Historical-novel fans as well as those who enjoy a bit of gothic intrigue will appreciate this story.”—Booklist

“Based on the real ballet scene in prewar London, this immersive tale will be a delight for historical-fiction fans who like a touch of suspense.”—Library Journal

“Ashe trained with the Royal Ballet School, and she is fascinating on the detail of the girls’ lives. . . . A wonderful, eye-opening debut.”—London Times

“Dances with historical details, with unease and atmosphere. You can feel the mist of the London canals, hear the ballet shoes touching the stage.”—Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A

“[An] unsettling tale. . . . As the story follows the rehearsals for the ballet Coppélia, we receive a quick-fire education on how the ballet works and why it inspires obsession. . . . An original thriller with a crafty plot.”—Daily Mail

From the Publisher