The Hidden Child：A Novel

In this new historical novel by the author of Daughter of the Reich, Londoners Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have wealth, status, and a happy marriagebut the 1929 financial crash is looming, and theyre harboring a terrible, shameful secret. How far are they willing to go to protect their charmed lifeeven if it means abandoning their child to a horrific fate?

Eleanor Hamilton is happily married and mother to a beautiful four-year-old girl, Mabel. Her wealthy husband, Edward, a celebrated war hero, is a leading light in the burgeoning Eugenics movementthe very ideas that will soon be embraced by Hitlerand is increasingly important in designing education policy for Great Britain.

But when Edward and Eleanors otherwise perfectly healthy daughter develops debilitating epileptic seizures, their world fractures.

Mabels shameful illness must be hidden or Edwards lifes work will be in jeopardy and the familys honor will be shattered.

When Eleanor discovers Edward has been keeping secrets, she calls into question everything she believed about genetic inferiority, and her previous unshakeable faith in her husband disintegrates. Alarmed, distressed, and no longer able to bear the familys burden, she takes matters into her own hands.

Inspired by the authors personal experience, The Hidden Child illuminates the moral and ethical issues of an era shaped by xenophobia, prejudice, fear, and well-intentioned yet flawed science. Vividly rendered, deeply affecting, and impeccably researched, Louise Feins new historical novel is a sweeping story and a richly drawn portrait of a family torn apart by shame, deceit, and dangerous ideals.