I said my story had many beginnings, and the day the camera arrived was one of them. After all, without the camera, there wouldn’t have been any photographs. Without the camera, I wouldn’t have a story to tell…
1917…. In a world torn apart by war, Frances Griffiths arrives in Cottingley, England where her cousin, Elsie Wright, becomes her friend and playmate. But Frances soon discovers other, secret friends … When the cousins claim to have photographed real fairies at the bottom of the garden their parents are sceptical, but the photos come to the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who declares them a marvel and entirely authentic. The ‘Cottingley Fairies’ – and the girls – become a national sensation. Afraid to tell the truth, Frances and Elsie will keep their secret for decades …
Present day . . . When Olivia Kavanagh inherits her grandfather’s bookshop in a small Irish harbor town, she discovers far more than dusty old books. An old manuscript tells an enchanting story of a nation gripped by fairy fever, and a hauntingly familiar photograph stirs painful memories of the past. Olivia begins to understand how Frances’s story intertwines with hers, connecting past to present . . . often blurring what is real, and what is imagined, along the way. While little girls might easily believe in fairies, can Olivia believe in herself?
Read the story behind The Cottingley Secret here.
Praise for The Cottingley Secret
“I adored The Cottingley Secret … Gaynor has penned, in majestic prose, an enchanting and enthralling tale of childhood magic, forgotten dreams, and finding the parts of ourselves we thought were lost forever.” — Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale
“A mystery, a love story, and an enchanting and surprising journey of self-discovery, ‘The Cottingley Secret’ unwraps the true story behind one of the great hoaxes of the 19th century while still allowing the possibility of the magical.” – Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of Bitter Greens and Beauty in Thorns
“There is real magic in these pages. And beauty. And heart.” – Nicole Mary Kelby, author of The Pink Suit
“The Cottingley Secret tells the tale of two girls who somehow convince the world that magic exists. An artful weaving of old legends with new realities, this tale invites the reader to wonder: could it be true?” – Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker
“Richly imagined and terrifically enchanting, Hazel Gaynor’s The Cottingley Secret is an enthralling tale where memories serve as lifelines for the living, and the unseen is made real. Reading this novel is akin to finding hidden treasure – each character, a friend; each chapter, a revelation.” – Ami McKay, author of The Witches of New York
“In The Cottingley Secret, Gaynor asks us the question we all have buried somewhere in our hearts– is believing in ourselves, perhaps, the most important magic of all?” – Heather Webb, author of Rodin’s Lover
“Gaynor once again takes readers deep into the lives of her characters, making history come alive. Beautifully written and expertly researched, Gaynor’s latest is a look at one of history’s most intriguing mysteries and an important reminder of the power of belief.” – Booklist, Starred review
“A gorgeous and wickedly mystical tale that will leave you enchanted. The Cottingley Secret will leave you a forever fan of Hazel Gaynor.” – Redbook
“One of 2017’s most magical historical fiction releases …” – Bookstr
“Charming and delicious from the first word to the last, The Cottingley Secret will leave you bewitched.” – Brit + Co
“Gaynor creates a lovely meditation on the power of belief and hope.” – Kirkus
“The characters are charming and enigmatic … Gaynor does a terrific job intermixing fact with fiction in The Cottingley Secret.” – RT Book Reviews
International Editions
