The Ladies of the Secret Circus (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
An historical novel spanning generations of a family that is connected to a magical secret circus located in Paris of the 1920's . . . and the decades-long mystery surrounding the disappearance of their loved ones. Gorgeous descriptions of the most beautifully bizarre circus one could ever imagine witnessing abound in this fantasy mystery that does not fail to grab every bit of your attention. Have fun being transported to the “Annees Folies” of Paris.
— From Vick's Picks (2019-2021)
From the author of A Witch in Time comes a magical story spanning from Jazz Age Paris to modern-day America of family secrets, sacrifice, and lost love set against the backdrop of a mysterious circus.
Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder—a world where women weave illusions of magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. Bound to her family's circus, it's the only world Cecile Cabot knows until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate affair that could cost her everything.
Virginia, 2004: Lara Barnes is on top of the world until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. When her desperate search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother’s journals, Lara is swept into a story of a dark circus and ill-fated love.
Soon secrets about Lara’s family history begin to come to light, revealing a curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations. A curse that might be tied to her fiancé’s mysterious disappearance
Praise for The Ladies of the Secret Circus:
"At times decadent and macabre, The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a mesmerizing tale of love, treachery, and depraved magic percolating through four generations of Cabot women." —Luanne G. Smith, author of The Vine Witch
"Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Ambitious and teeming with magic, Sayers creates a fascinating mix of art, The Belle Époque, and more than a little murder.” —Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation
For more from Constance Sayers, check out A Witch in Time.
Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder—a world where women weave illusions of magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. Bound to her family's circus, it's the only world Cecile Cabot knows until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate affair that could cost her everything.
Virginia, 2004: Lara Barnes is on top of the world until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. When her desperate search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother’s journals, Lara is swept into a story of a dark circus and ill-fated love.
Soon secrets about Lara’s family history begin to come to light, revealing a curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations. A curse that might be tied to her fiancé’s mysterious disappearance
Praise for The Ladies of the Secret Circus:
"At times decadent and macabre, The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a mesmerizing tale of love, treachery, and depraved magic percolating through four generations of Cabot women." —Luanne G. Smith, author of The Vine Witch
"Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Ambitious and teeming with magic, Sayers creates a fascinating mix of art, The Belle Époque, and more than a little murder.” —Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation
For more from Constance Sayers, check out A Witch in Time.
Constance Sayers is the author of A Witch in Time. A finalist for Alternating Current's 2016 Luminaire Award for Best Prose, her short stories have appeared in Souvenir and Amazing Graces: Yet Another Collection of Fiction by Washington Area Women as well as The Sky is a Free Country. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. She received an MA in English from George Mason University. She lives outside of Washington D.C. Like her character in The Ladies of the Secret Circus, for many years, she was the host of a radio show from midnight to six.
“Ambitious and teeming with magic, Sayers creates a fascinating mix of art, The Belle Époque, and more than a little murder.” —Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation
"A spellbinding historical fantasy....Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"At times decadent and macabre, The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a mesmerizing tale of love, treachery, and depraved magic percolating through four generations of Cabot women."—Luanne G. Smith, author of The Vine Witch
"Encompassing as many genres as a circus carousel has animals to ride, this is ultimately a story about love. Highly recommended for lovers of timeslip fiction, readers who enjoy their genres very bent indeed, and those who have dreamed of running away to the circus."—Library Journal (starred review)
"The novel’s massive network of connections—tactile and ethereal, physical and mystical—makes for a luxurious reading experience, like a rich tapestry. The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a book to get lost in. Through beautifully orchestrated prose and careful, confident pacing, Sayers constructs a story that feels like sitting down with an older relative and slowly, over hours, getting all the family secrets in one juicy, enchanted package."—BookPage
"The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a dazzling tale, laced with sinister magic, blood and beauty, love and loss. This is a book that will haunt you long after the last page is turned."—Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel
"Romance, mystery, and a family curse — The Ladies of the Secret Circus has it all.” —Popsugar
“Spellbinding. The Ladies Of The Secret Circus is a dazzling, high-wire feat of storytelling." —Catherine Taylor, author of Beyond the Moon
Praise for A Witch in Time: "A sweeping story of magical, star-crossed love, as glamorous as it is romantic. Prepare to be dazzled." --Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger "A captivating tapestry of a tale."-- Gwendolyn Womack, bestselling author of The Fortune Teller & The Time Collector "Fans of Deborah Harkness will devour this page-turning tale of love, reincarnation, and dark magic.A highly unique and enjoyable read!" --Hester Fox, author of The Witch of Willow Hall "Sayers cleverly twists the loves-lost-through-time motif....A smart, engrossing debut from a writer to watch." --Kirkus "Sayers weaves a spell of love, lust, and magic to create a page-turner like no other." --Steph Post, author of Miraculum
"A spellbinding historical fantasy....Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus will love this page-turning story of dark magic, star-crossed love, and familial sacrifice."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"At times decadent and macabre, The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a mesmerizing tale of love, treachery, and depraved magic percolating through four generations of Cabot women."—Luanne G. Smith, author of The Vine Witch
"Encompassing as many genres as a circus carousel has animals to ride, this is ultimately a story about love. Highly recommended for lovers of timeslip fiction, readers who enjoy their genres very bent indeed, and those who have dreamed of running away to the circus."—Library Journal (starred review)
"The novel’s massive network of connections—tactile and ethereal, physical and mystical—makes for a luxurious reading experience, like a rich tapestry. The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a book to get lost in. Through beautifully orchestrated prose and careful, confident pacing, Sayers constructs a story that feels like sitting down with an older relative and slowly, over hours, getting all the family secrets in one juicy, enchanted package."—BookPage
"The Ladies of the Secret Circus is a dazzling tale, laced with sinister magic, blood and beauty, love and loss. This is a book that will haunt you long after the last page is turned."—Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel
"Romance, mystery, and a family curse — The Ladies of the Secret Circus has it all.” —Popsugar
“Spellbinding. The Ladies Of The Secret Circus is a dazzling, high-wire feat of storytelling." —Catherine Taylor, author of Beyond the Moon
Praise for A Witch in Time: "A sweeping story of magical, star-crossed love, as glamorous as it is romantic. Prepare to be dazzled." --Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger "A captivating tapestry of a tale."-- Gwendolyn Womack, bestselling author of The Fortune Teller & The Time Collector "Fans of Deborah Harkness will devour this page-turning tale of love, reincarnation, and dark magic.A highly unique and enjoyable read!" --Hester Fox, author of The Witch of Willow Hall "Sayers cleverly twists the loves-lost-through-time motif....A smart, engrossing debut from a writer to watch." --Kirkus "Sayers weaves a spell of love, lust, and magic to create a page-turner like no other." --Steph Post, author of Miraculum