Jody Cooksley – författare

A shiver thrilled my spine at the thought of what might be contained in collections to be kept away from ordinary eyes ...London, 1873. Madeleine Brewster's marriage to Dr Lucius Everley was meant to be the solution to her family's sullied reputation. After all, Lucius is a well-respected collector of natural curiosities. His 'Small Museum' of bones and specimens in jars is his pride and joy, although firmly kept under lock and key. His sister Grace's philanthropic work with fallen women is also highly laudable, at first glance. However, Maddie soon finds herself unwelcome in what is meant to be her new home. The more she learns about both Lucius and Grace, the more she suspects that unimaginable horrors lie behind their polished reputations. Framed for a crime that would take her to the gallows and leave the Everleys free to continue their dark schemes, Maddie's only hope is her friend Caroline. She will do anything to prove Maddie's innocence before the trial reaches its fatal conclusion.

London, 1873. Madeleine Brewster's marriage to Dr Lucius Everley was meant to be the solution to her family's sullied reputation. After all, Lucius is a well-respected collector of natural curiosities. His 'Small Museum' of bones and specimens in jars is his pride and joy, although firmly kept under lock and key. His sister Grace's philanthropic work with fallen women is also highly laudable, at first glance. However, Maddie soon finds herself unwelcome in what is meant to be her new home. The more she learns about both Lucius and Grace, the more she suspects that unimaginable horrors lie behind their polished reputations. Framed for a crime that would take her to the gallows and leave the Everleys free to continue their dark schemes, Maddie's only hope is her friend Caroline. She will do anything to prove Maddie's innocence before the trial reaches its fatal conclusion.

Winner of the Caledonia Novel AwardLonglisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award 2025A shiver thrilled my spine at the thought of what might be contained in collections to be kept away from ordinary eyes ...London, 1873. Madeleine Brewster's marriage to Dr Lucius Everley should have been the answer to her family's prayers. Lucius is a well-respected collector of natural curiosities - his 'Small Museum' is his life's work, although firmly kept under lock and key. His sister Grace's philanthropic work with fallen women also adds to the Everleys' polished reputation.However, Maddie begins to suspect that unimaginable horrors lie behind their respectable façade. Then she is framed for a shocking crime that would take her to the gallows. Her only hope is her friend Caroline who must prove Maddie's innocence before the trial reaches its fatal conclusion.'I was blown away by Jody Cooksley's The Small Museum' Stacey Thomas

'A gripping, intelligent gothic novel that lingers well beyond its final page' Historical Novels ReviewLondon, 1883.The brutal murder of Rose Parmiter seems, at first glance, to be a random and senseless act. Rose was the beloved cook at Evergreen House, a place of refuge for women and children, a place from which they can start their lives afresh. Proprietor Rebecca Harris is profoundly shocked by the death of her dear friend and alarmed at the mysterious events which begin to unfold shortly afterwards. Could the past be casting a shadow on the present? The malign legacy of the Everley family who called Evergreen home, cannot be ignored.After two further deaths it becomes clear there is an evil presence infecting their sanctuary, and Rebecca must draw out the poison of the past so the Evergreen residents can finally make peace with the darkness in their lives.

London, 1883. The brutal murder of Rose Parmiter, beloved cook at Evergreen House, shatters the sanctuary Rebecca Harris has built for vulnerable women and children. As grief grips the household, unsettling events begin to stir - echoes of a past that refuses to stay buried. The malign legacy of the Everley family, who called Evergreen House home, casts a sinister shadow, and when two more lives are claimed, dread spreads through the refuge.Rebecca must draw out the poison of the past before Evergreen's promise of hope is consumed by darkness.

An historical novel based on the life of pioneering photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron.

What is a life without Art and Beauty?Not one that Julia chooses to live. And so she searches the world for both, discovering happiness through the lens of a camera.A fictional account of pioneer photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron, and her extraordinary quest to find her own creative voice, The Glass House brings an exceptional photographer to life. From the depths of despair, with her relationships strained and having been humiliated by the artists she has given a home to, Julia rises to fame, photographing and befriending many of the day''s most famous literary, artistic, political and scientific celebrities.But to succeed as a female photographer, she must take on the Victorian patriarchy, the art world and, ultimately, her own family. And the doubts are not all from others. As Julia''s uneasy relationship with fame grows into a fear that the camera has taken part of her soul, her search leads her full circle, back to India, in her lifelong quest for peace and beauty.A poignant, elegant and richly detailed debut.