Synopsis: The evening of Cora Cash’s masquerade ball, nothing has been left to chance. Gorgeous, spirited and extravagantly rich, Cora is the closest thing New York Society has to a princess. Her mother has devised for her a debut that promises to be the most opulent of the gilded 1890s.

The ball is the prelude to a campaign that will see her mother whisk Cora to Europe. Mrs Cash wants nothing less than a title for her daughter, and in England, impoverished blue-bloods are queuing up for introductions to American heiresses – and seem content to overlook the sometimes lowly origins of their fortunes.

Cora’s beauty, style and spirit makes quite an impression, but the English aristocracy is a realm fraught with arcane rules and pitfalls, where there are those less than eager to welcome a wealthy outsider. When she loses her heart to a man she barely knows, Cora soon realises that her future happiness is at stake – and must ask herself whether love is a thing that money can buy.

Lavish and deliciously witty, My Last Duchess is an exciting debut which has echoes of Edith Wharton and Henry James in its portrayal of the fine de siècle romance between England and America.

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Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict:
Stylish and elegant from the beautiful front cover to the story inside, Daisy Goodwin has written a wonderful debut novel. Utterly absorbing and satisfying, turn off the phones and settle down for a wonderful weekend read! We loved it! Highly Recommended!

GREAT NEWS!
We have 2 copies of My Last Duchess to give away to two lucky readers, if you would like your own copy of this fabulous book email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with subject 'My Last Duchess' and with your name by 10th September 2010, we will contact the first two winners drawn out of a hat by 15th September.