A note from my publisher (and a small thank you)

Dear friends,

A quick, slightly overwhelmed update from me.

The pre-orders for Secrets of an English Country House have come in faster than any of us expected—so much so that my publisher has already gone back to print more copies as you know. Here’s what Alice (commissioning editor) told me:

“Julie, it’s been incredible to see such a strong wave of pre-orders coming in – your community has really shown up in the most wonderful way. We’ve already printed more copies in response, and we’ve no doubt this will be a must-have Christmas gift. This level of early support is so important, helping more readers discover both the book and the story of Mapperton.”

I wanted you to hear that directly, because none of it happens without you.

If you’ve been waiting to pre-order—or are still deciding—here’s a small taste of what’s inside. No one who built Mapperton ever agreed on what it should look like, and 500 years later, you can still see the argument: Tudor ceilings, a Georgian front bolted on top, Arts and Crafts flourishes added later by someone who clearly liked texture. Every generation simply overruled the last, and somehow it all still stands.

I used to think “authentic” meant one period, perfectly preserved. Living here taught me it means every layer left visible—arguments and all. That’s the house I tried to capture in this book.

Pre-order before 23 September and you’ll receive:

• A signed bookplate

• 3 months free Mapperton Live! membership

• A Christmas card from Luke and me

Given what my publisher just told me, I’d love for this to land in even more homes before the holidays. If you’ve been on the fence, this is the moment.

With love, xx Julie