Freya Berry
The Birdcage Library

An evening with Freya Berry, author of BBC2 Between The Covers pick The Dictator’s Wife. A gothic-tinged tale of obsession and long buried secrets set in a remote and atmospheric Scottish castle. Discover a mystery within a mystery in The Birdcage Library, a novel that will hold you in its spell until the final page.

Grays Library, Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX
Tickets: £8 / £7
Box Office: Online or Mercury Theatre 01206 573948

About the book – The Birdcage Library

From the author of BBC2 Between The Covers pick The Dictator’s Wife comes a gothic tinged tale of obsession and long buried secrets set in a remote and atmospheric Scottish castle.

Dear Reader, the man I love is trying to kill me…

It’s 1932 and adventuress and plant hunter Emily Blackwood accepts a commission from Heinrich Vogel, a former dealer of exotic animals in Manhattan, living now with his macabre collection in a remote Scottish castle.

Emily is tasked to find a long lost treasure which Heinrich believes has been hidden within the castle walls. But instead she discovers the pages of a diary, written by Hester Vogel, who died after falling from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Hester’s diary leads Emily to an old book and into a treasure hunt of another kind, one that will take her down a dangerous path for clues, and force her to confront her own darkest secret…

Discover a mystery within a mystery in The Birdcage Library , a novel that will hold you in its spell until the final page.

‘Gothic, gorgeous and vividly atmospheric, an immersive literary page turner’ – Ellery Lloyd

‘A twisty, atmospheric tale full of dark secrets and hidden clues. A compulsive read’ – Kate Hamer

‘Complex, dark and multi layered with meticulously drawn characters’ – Jane Shemilt

About the author

Freya Berry was born in 1991, studied English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked for several years as a financial and political journalist at Reuters and then the Daily Mail . Freya splits her time between London and the Welsh coast.

The Dictator’s Wife , her debut novel, was inspired by the close observation of the wives of some of the world’s most powerful leaders, and was a BBC2 Between the Covers pick.

Follow Freya Berry on Twitter @FreyaBBooks

Praise for Freya Berry and The Dictator’s Wife

‘A brilliant read. Absolutely loved it. Fascinating, atmospheric, utterly gripping.’ – Liz Hyder

‘A remarkable new talent.’ – Anthony Horowitz

‘Richly imagined.’ – The Times

‘Demands to be devoured in one sitting. Sumptuously written. One of the most compelling literary debuts of the year.’ – Glamour

‘A gripping, intelligent thriller.’ – Emma Stonex

‘Compelling, atmospheric… It’s BRILLIANT.’ – Marian Keyes

‘Gripping and moving.’ – Harlan Coben