This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations – a series of “not just cookbooks”.
For today’s #summerreads pick, I’ve got a recent release from a favourite local author – Heather Marshall, whose books Looking for Jane and The Secret History of Audrey James have been up in my top reads of the past few years. Heather worked in politics and communications before “finally turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling” and boy am I glad she did. Liberty Street is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
From the publisher
Toronto, 1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best female reporters in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women’s publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women’s Prison lands on Emily’s desk, she sees the scoop of a lifetime—one that could launch her career as a journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate’s shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out . . .
Huron County, 1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery, and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women’s Prison, the family trauma she’s kept buried for years threatens to surface.
Inspired by true events, Liberty Street is at once poignant and dazzling—an unforgettable, intertwining story about resilience, mental health, and the power of female connection.
Just, wow. A devastating, beautiful and important read.
I was absolutely captivated by this story and could not put it down. First of all, I’ve lived in Toronot nearly 26 years and I didn’t know anything about the Mercer Women’s Prison. Secondly, I love a dual timeline historical fiction but when there’s a mystery thrown in too? Best!
Told in a dual-timeline structure (that very cleverly merges) with two characters inspired by real-life people, this is a fascinating look at a period in Toronto’s history that actually isn’t that long ago. Marshall sensitively yet brutally honestly shares the reality of the 1960s that women could be incarcerated for the simple reason of being deemed “incorrigible” – the Mercer Prison is easy to get into (as Emily finds out) but horrifyingly difficult to leave.
It’s hard to put my finger on the best aspect of this book – the story was so engaging (in a “page-turner”, “just one more page” kind of way that you mostly associate with a thriller), the characters are incredibly well-developed, the setting is (at least for me) appealing (anything set in Toronto is pretty much a must-read for me – especially historical fiction where I can learn more about my city) and it’s just so well-written.
This is a thoroughly researched novel (don’t miss the notes at the end!) and Marshall’s talent for shining a light on women living through devastating experiences is clear. While the stories she shares are horrific, you can’t look away.
Compelling.
Follow Heather on Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy Liberty Street on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country).
For free worldwide shipping, find Liberty Street on Blackwell’s.
Support your local Indie bookstore and purchase Liberty Street on Bookshop.org.
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Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post also contains affiliate links for Blackwell’s and Bookshop.org. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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Disclosure: I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher. I am not receiving compensation for reviewing the book. Neither the author nor the publisher reviewed this post prior to publication. All opinions are my own.
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