The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst

by Katie Lumsden · 2024

Set in 1841 Wickenshire, The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst follows the scandalous marriage of Mr Montgomery Hurst, a respectable landowner, to an impoverished widow with three unknown children. The union rattles the county’s rigid social order, sparking gossip, intrigue, and a fierce scramble among the local elite to uncover the truth. Among the onlookers is handsome, wealthy brewer’s daughter Amelia Ashpoint, who rebuffs all marriage proposals and harbors her own secret desires. As the community’s nosy whispers turn into scheming plots, the Hurst family must navigate a web of class prejudice, family loyalty, and hidden ambitions. Katie Lumsden delivers a witty, gothic‑tinged period drama that blends the elegance of Austen with the atmospheric depth of Gaskell, offering a lively cast of characters, sharp social commentary, and a romance that defies expectations.