No Women Were Harmed: A darkly gothic historical fiction debut set in a Victorian asylum – but is our heroine the victim or the villain?

And so, I am mad after all…The shackles gouge my wrists, disturbing the scars of Strangeways Prison’s fetters. But no matter; if I bleed, I will not die: I am already dead.

Named after the funeral flower, Lily has walked hand-in-hand with death for as long as she can remember.

But the fact that death has chosen to follow her through life can hardly be conceived as her fault.

Certainly she cannot be expected to take the blame for the slew of missing men in her wake.

In fact, Lily is in no doubt that there has been some terrible mistake, and she will be released from this asylum any day now.

Now she just needs to convince you too…

Set against the harsh realities of a Victorian asylum, this compelling historical debut sees one unruly woman take her revenge on the men who would keep her caged, and ultimately asks where we draw the line between villain and victim in a society where the odds are stacked against women from the start. Perfect for fans of MRS ENGLAND by Stacey Halls, THE MAD WOMEN’S BALL by Victoria Mas and LILY by Rose Tremain.

Praise for No Women Were Harmed:

‘An intriguing setting, complex characters and evocative writing; [No Women Were Harmed] has all the ingredients of a bestseller’ Clare Mackintosh, author of The Last Party

‘Sarah Waters meets Promising Young Woman with the most glorious of unreliable narrators. Absolutely loved it – so gripping, so unpredictable, and Lily is a character for the ages, unapologetically devious and sly, but still a(n anti) heroine readers will be rooting for. I’ll be recommending this one to many people!’ Naomi Kelsey, author of The Burnings

‘A delightfully dark Victorian romp, No Women Were Harmed is an absolute treat for anyone who loves an unreliable narrator with a biting voice.’ Carmella Lowkis, author of Spitting Gold

‘A smart, immersive historical debut that will have you rooting for and questioning Lily in equal measure’ My Weekly

‘A well-crafted tale, as devious Lily justifies her actions…Mottershead’s meticulous research reveals the realities of the asylum and the sad fates of the women housed there – one which Lily is determined to avoid at all costs’ Daily Mail

‘When the odds are stacked against a woman, what is she capable of?…Blurring the lines between victim and villain, this darkly riveting tale is impossible to put down‘ Woman’s Own

‘Set against the backdrop of a crumbling asylum, an unfortunate childhood, and callous characters, this novel is gripping, thrilling, and troubling...’ Dan Bassett, Waterstones Bookseller