book review of carnegie's maid

Carnegie’s Maid Book Review – An Intriguing ‘What If’ Story of an Irish Immigrant & the King of Steel

(I received a free copy of Carnegie’s Maid from the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, to write an honest review. I was not financially compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.)

Official Synopsis of Carnegie’s Maid : Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households. She’s a poor farmer’s daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the other woman with the same name has vanished, and pretending to be her just might get Clara some money to send back home.

If she can keep up the ruse, that is. Serving as a lady’s maid in the household of Andrew Carnegie requires skills she doesn’t have, answering to an icy mistress who rules her sons and her domain with an iron fist. What Clara does have is a resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for, coupled with an uncanny understanding of business, and Andrew begins to rely on her. But Clara can’t let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future — and her family’s.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist.

Carnegie’s Maid Review

The entire story rests on the shoulders of Clara Kelley. As a result, she is the most well-rounded, layered character in Carnegie’s Maid . As a newly arrived Irish immigrant, Clara’s gumption and resourcefulness quickly make her indispensable to the Carnegie matriarch. She hides her fear and her very identity behind a placid expression of servitude. There is no one that knows her secret. As a result, there is a sense of crushing loneliness that surrounds Clara.

Lifting this isolation is Clara’s natural curiosity. Her unconventional upbringing in Ireland gave her a broader view of the world. While her focus was typical of immigrants of that time period (sending money home to help her family), her approach to how she could help them was anything but typical. She listened to the conversations between Margaret and her son, Andrew. As a result, her inquisitive mind captures Andrew’s interest and he draws her out further.

An Unlikely Romance – A Wealthy Scottish Immigrant and an Irish Maid

There was a very real danger for Benedict to fall into the romance novel “master of the house falls for a servant” trope. Fortunately, Benedict handles the developing feelings between Clara and Andrew with the kid gloves it deserves. I found it to be a gentle, evolving regard.

There were no flashes of lightning or love at first sight narratives. Rather, it was sweet and a meeting of inquisitive minds. Andrew recognized Clara’s loneliness and he gently coaxed her into talking about herself. Further, Andrew saw something of himself in Clara; a reminder of his own humble beginnings.

“Our exchange was so fresh and natural, I nearly laughed and dissuaded him of his false beliefs. Nearly. Then I recalled the Clara Kelley I was meant to be and settled on a vague statement.”

Yet, Clara, while enjoying these easy conversations, never forgets what she is hiding. Nevertheless, she can’t resist Andrew’s allure. Soon, Andrew and Clara move from general conversation to discussing business. Benedict weaves Clara in seamlessly with Andrew Carnegie’s business history. Clara’s influence slowly begins to take root. The two grow closer as Andrew teaches Clara business. In turn, she provides another viewpoint. Even so, the social gulf between them never lessens. It’s this balance that keeps the romance in Carnegie’s maid from becoming cheap or “typical.”

Related Post | The English Wife Book Review: A Delectable Romantic Mystery

Keep in mind, this is not a historical romance but rather historical fiction. While there is old-fashioned romance appeal, it is not the point. However, there is one particularly swoon-worthy romantic gesture and moment that my heart did sigh over!

Adaptation Recommendation

I would love to see Carnegie’s Maid  as a television movie or limited series. Imagine the elaborate costume designs! As well as set designs recreating the bygone era of the novel. Also, adapting the novel to film would allow for more factual history about Andrew Carnegie and his rise as the King of Steel. Not to mention the contrast of his rise with that of the everyday Irish immigrant in 19th Century Pittsburgh. I’m thinking Angela’s Ashes meets The Age of Innocence . Just go with me here!

Final Thoughts on Carnegie’s Maid

I do wish we read more of Andrew Carnegie’s ruthless business side. The small glimpses from Clara’s perspective were just teased. I wanted to hear more of her thoughts on Andrew’s ruthless side and what that meant about her. Of course, as a Lady’s Maid, the glimpses we did see were likely typical of what a maid would see. It’s not like Clara was trotting off to the offices with Mrs. Carnegie.

I also felt the ending dropped on me unexpectedly. On the flip side, that very well could be because I didn’t want this story to end! In addition, enhancing Clara’s story were wonderfully developed secondary characters. From her cousins toiling in the slums of Pittsburgh to an escaped slave desperate search for his family, these smaller stories add depth as Clara begins to fully understand her place in America.

Carnegie’s Maid is an excellent book. It is a well-written story of “what if” that captures the imagination. Tuck this book in your commuter bag or carry-on and enjoy!

Carnegie’s Maid is available at your favorite bookstore or online retailer.

Content Warning: None – a lovely, clean read!

Have you read Carnegie’s Maid ? What did you think? Sound off in the comments below!

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Catherine is an avid reader and a self-declared professional binge watcher. It's not uncommon to find her re-watching a series or movie for the umpteenth time and still be crying into a box of tissues. When she's not hiding in her closet to read or watch a show or movie, Catherine is a wife, mother, and, in her spare time, a lawyer.

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1 thought on “Carnegie’s Maid Book Review – An Intriguing ‘What If’ Story of an Irish Immigrant & the King of Steel”

Carnegie’s Maid is an inspiring story that I will pass on to my daughters and granddaughters. It is a realistic story to me about the power of a female’s inspirations and goals. Thank you for sharing your gift of literary writing. I have also read The Only Woman in the Room and passed it on to my daughter. I look forward to reading all your novels. God Bless. Said a prayer to Mary for you.

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Carnegie's Maid

48 pages • 1 hour read

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 9

Chapters 10-17

Chapters 18-27

Chapters 28-36

Chapter 37-Epilogue

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Summary and Study Guide

Carnegie’s Maid (2018) is the second novel by author Marie Benedict. Before becoming an author, Benedict was an attorney for a decade but then switched her focus to writing historical fiction featuring strong female protagonists, most of whom are real historical figures whose stories are not well known. Her other works include The Other Einstein (2017), The Only Woman in the Room (2019), Lady Clementine (2020), The Mystery of Mrs. Christie (2021), Her Hidden Genius (2022), and The Mitford Affair (2023).

When first published, Carnegie’s Maid became a USA Today bestseller. Benedict based the novel on her own Irish family’s immigration saga during the 19th century. She recalls hearing stories from grandmothers and great-aunts about female ancestors who worked as servants in the houses of rich American families. Their struggles and hardships in carving out a life in a new country are echoed in the experiences of Benedict’s protagonist , Clara Kelley . Carnegie’s Maid falls into the categories of biographical historical fiction and literary fiction.

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Carnegie’s Maid depicts the relationship between business tycoon Andrew Carnegie and his mother’s personal maid, Clara Kelley. The story is principally set in the Pittsburgh area and covers the time period from 1863 through 1900, but the majority of the novel’s events transpire between Clara’s arrival at the Carnegie mansion in 1863 and her departure in 1867. Aside from the Prologue, which is told from Andrew Carnegie’s point of view using third-person narration, the rest of the novel is told from Clara’s perspective in first-person narration. As the lives of the rich industrialist and the impoverished lady’s maid intertwine, Carnegie’s Maid explores the themes of The Class System , Roles and Identities , and The Purpose of Wealth .

The story opens with Andrew Carnegie in 1868 as he takes stock of his life. He has recently lost someone important to him. Clara Kelley’s disappearance has forced him to consider the ways that his self-serving, greedy behavior may have driven her away. Now at a crossroads, Andrew resolves to change his focus from amassing wealth to using that wealth for the benefit of the working class. In doing this, he hopes to atone for past wrongs and make Clara proud of him.

After this introduction, the novel shifts back in time to Clara’s point of view as she crosses the Atlantic in the cargo hold of a ship in 1863. As a poor immigrant, her experience contrasts sharply with the lifestyle enjoyed by America’s capitalist upper class. Clara is desperate to find employment to save her family back home. While they escaped the potato famine that killed so many other Irish tenant farmers, their landlord is threatening to revoke their tenancy. Clara’s parents and two sisters need money badly, and she intends to earn enough to keep them from starvation.

Through a case of mistaken identity, Clara is hired as the lady’s maid for the mother of Andrew Carnegie, who is already a rich investor and lives in a luxurious mansion on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. His mother has a forceful personality and shrewdly advises her son in his business dealings. Mrs. Carnegie is a demanding mistress to her servants, but she is newly rich and uncertain of the proper behavior, dress, and manners of an upper-class lady. Clara’s namesake, who died during the crossing, was an experienced lady’s maid who worked in some of the finest houses in Europe. Thus, Mrs. Carnegie relies on her maid to steer her course in high society. Unfortunately, Clara knows nothing about the role of a lady’s maid and must quickly acquire that expertise or be exposed as a fraud. While searching the mansion’s library for books on etiquette, she crosses paths with Andrew, who kindly offers her the use of the room. Having come from poverty himself, he doesn’t put on airs, even though his mother attempts to do so for the sake of her upper-class social circle.

Clara and Andrew soon discover that they are kindred spirits and share many lively discussions about literature. As Clara witnesses the dire condition of the working class in Pittsburgh, she comes to realize that she must gain more knowledge of business to help her family rise from poverty. She makes an exhaustive study of the Carnegie business holdings with the support and encouragement of Andrew. Eventually, Clara’s astute problem-solving skills help him launch two new ventures, and he rewards her with stock certificates in these companies. Clara then becomes financially independent enough to bring the rest of her family to America.

Sadly, the repressive class system of Gilded Age America intervenes to break up the budding romance between Clara and Andrew. Clara discovers Andrew’s exploitation of poor immigrants for his own financial gain, and the two have an argument over the issue. At the same time, Mrs. Carnegie learns Clara’s true identity. Jealous of her maid’s influence over her son, she threatens to expose Clara if she doesn’t sever her ties with Andrew forever. Clara decides to leave rather than risk disillusioning Andrew with her false persona. He never learns that she was forced out of his home and assumes it was his avarice that drove her away. Although he searches for years, he never finds her. Despite this fact, Andrew is inspired by Clara’s idealism and resolves to devote the rest of his life to charity. The novel ends in 1900 with Clara attending the official opening of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh.

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Carnegie’s Maid

Written by Marie Benedict Review by Ann Pedtke

Clara Kelley finds her way from an impoverished village in Galway to the bustling streets of Pittsburgh, determined to secure a position in America and send money home to her struggling family. Mistaken for another Irish girl of the same name, she is offered a coveted position as a lady’s maid in the home of the Carnegies—an up-and-coming family soon to be among the wealthiest in America.

But as Clara adapts to her new duties, she must maintain her false identity as a Protestant with experience serving in the elegant homes of Dublin. And as the dashing son of the household, Andrew Carnegie, begins to take an interest in her, Clara must decide whether she is willing to risk her position – and her family’s safety—for a chance at something more. Andrew Carnegie may have come from a modest immigrant background like her own, but he is quickly becoming one of the most ruthless industrialists in history. And as the household cook warns her, “[I’ve] seen too many masters and servants crossing the boundaries… It never ends well for the servant.”

Benedict paints a chiaroscuro picture of 1860s Pittsburgh, with the opulence of fine gowns and banquets alternating with the black soot of poverty. Occasionally the moral lines become a little too tidy and character motivations a little too noble. Several chapters drop off at cliffhanger moments—will the illicit relationship be discovered?—only to skip ahead weeks or months with little resolution. The relationship between Clara and Andrew Carnegie never quite moves into the realm of real equality, or real love. But in the end, Benedict salvages this with a refreshing dose of reality, reminding us that some unfortunate truths of history cannot be rewritten.

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Susan Berry

Review of carnegie’s maid by marie benedict.

Set in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Carnegie’s Maid tells the story of a lowly woman (Clara) of the 19th century that rose in power and prestige through determination, adaptation to the situation to take advantage of an opportunity that suddenly presented itself, and plain old hard work. There is also the element of subterfuge and manipulation of the newly minted Carnegie family who like Clara came to America as immigrants and worked their way up the ladder of corporate and social success.

Clara’s story is the tale of a impovished Irish daughter who must find her way in the world of stratified American class society that clings to the belief that a daughter’s role is in the home as a helpmate to her husband, to bear and raise the children, and in the event she is not married, to work in the few available fields open to women at the time, teaching and domestic service primarily. Social classes exist in a rigid non-permeable state as the Carnegies found out when in New York for the season they were rejected by the upper tens as the set that was founded by the Dutch Knickerbockers were known.

Clara too learns that jumping hoops into another class is nearly impossible when Mrs. Carnegie, the mother of Andrew and Tom Carnegie, confronts Clara about her past, and the deception of that Clara has perpetrated to obtain and keep the position as Mrs. Carnegie’s lady maid, a position that Clara uses to befriend the elder son, Andrew and learn the family business. Clara’s focus is her family back in Ireland. She must work so that she can send part of her earnings back to Ireland. To do so, she must maintain the deception that she was a former lady’s maid with references who has come to America to find employment when in reality, Clara’s experiences in the society at the time if known would barely allowed her to be employed as a scullery maid. Ladies maids are a step above most of the domestic staff in America, equal to or slightly junior to tutors and governesses, and not answerable to cooks, butlers or the housekeeper and certainly would not have anything to do with a lowly scullery maid.

Clara’s family has lost their farming tenancy in rural Galway because of the father’s leadership and involvement in the Fenian home rule movement in Ireland and is forced to move in with one of Clara’s aunt in the city where life is eked out, forced to subsist on the irregular work that is not enough to feed the family. Clara becomes the breadwinner to her family back in Ireland as well as to another part of her family that lives in the grey smokestack soot-encased Pittsburg factory suburb, Slab Town. Clara’s friendship (and burgeoning hidden romance) with Andrew Carnegie, the rising industrialist, later philanthropist, gives her entry into the privileged male iron and steel industries as well as the worlds of telegraphs and railroads. Ultimately, it pays off for Clara who after her loss of her job as a ladies maid has the financial wherewithal (thanks in large part to her work with Andrew Carnegie) to train to become a nurse and further her family’s survival.

Marie Benedict writes a compelling story that is based on real events, real people. Carnegie’s Maid is not as good as Benedict’s The Personal Librarian . Carnegie’s Maid ends somewhat abruptly, about as fast as Clara’s loss of her position as a ladies maid and removal from the household. The epilogue reveals that Clara has landed on her feet and is able to fend for herself (with the help of the substantial earnings and stocks from her side work with Andrew Carnegie) and become a nurse. What is missing (and is so unlike The Personal Librarian ) is what then happened to her family, who is Clara’s reason for coming to America. Do they survive? Do they emigrate to America? What are they doing? What happened to her relatives in Slab Town?

Part of the problem is the choice of the author to tell the story from Clara’s perspective. This limits the author to what Clara knows, preventing the development of the father’s involvement in the Fenian movement and his and his family’s ultimate ruination while Clara is in service to Mrs. Carnegie. Still, (and while it may or may not have been true in real life), given the stress that Benedict places on Clara as the family breadwinner, it is plausible that a fictionalized Clara learned this information years later and through the epilogue presented it to the reader.

One other area was Mrs. Carnegie’s investigation into Clara’s past. Servants were seen, not heard, but heard, saw, and knew much more than their employers ever thought they did. How did Clara not realize the change in her mistress? Or more plausibly, did she, and why was this not developed?

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Novelhistorian

~ what's new and old in historical fiction.

Robber Baron Philanthropist: Carnegie’s Maid

03 Monday Jun 2019

Posted by Novelhistorian in Reviews and Columns

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1860s , Andrew Carnegie , book review , commercial fiction , con games , historical fiction , immigrants , literary versus commercial , Margaret Morrison Carnegie , Marie Benedict , Pittsburgh , servants , social competition

Review: Carnegie’s Maid , by Marie Benedict Sourcebooks, 2018. 281 pp. $26

Why did Andrew Carnegie, arguably the most cutthroat robber baron ever — which is saying something — turn philanthropist? That’s the question Benedict tries to answer in this engaging, if half-fulfilled, novel. Her catalyst is Clara Kelley, who leaves Galway for New York in November 1863, on a mission that feels desperate. Her once-prosperous farm family faces poverty, if not destitution, because of her father’s political activity. Clara, healthy, vigorous, and intelligent, is the daughter chosen to cross the Atlantic, find gainful employment, and send money home.

Well versed in horror stories about conmen who fleece new immigrants, Clara makes an instinctive decision on arrival. A man in livery asks her whether she’s Clara Kelley, to which she naturally says yes. But it’s quickly apparent that she’s not the young woman he’s expecting. Nevertheless, she plays the part to the hilt—-who’s fleecing whom?–and he helps her into his carriage, which will bring them to Pittsburgh. During the ride, Clara gleans that she’s to be ladies’ maid to a Mrs. Carnegie, a notion that both excites and terrifies her, because she has no idea what a lady’s maid does or who her new employer is, aside from having a wealthy son. I like this part of the novel best, for Clara must suss out what people want to hear before they even ask, an exercise fraught with tension and, sometimes, humor.

Andrew Carnegie’s birthplace, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland (courtesy user: kilnburn via Wikimedia Commons)

But our heroine has two aces up her puffy sleeves. First, her betters talk about her as though she weren’t there — a servant’s lot — and from the information gained, she infers ways to keep one step ahead of exposure. Secondly, Clara senses that Mrs. Carnegie asks so many questions about how her former employers dressed, took tea, or buffed their nails not to uncover her maid’s falsehoods, but because she’s unsure of herself. She has money, of course, and a son who’s like a god to her, but no name or social standing, and that scares her. She needs to know How Things Are Done, without giving herself away. In other words, she’s more like her maid than she knows.

Clara can’t ever breathe a syllable of her discovery, yet the knowledge gives her courage and the means with which to flatter. And when she has the rare luxury to breathe, she’s free to observe that her made-of-iron mistress manufactures and sells that product, and her escritoire holds business papers instead of invitations or calling cards. That opens a world for Clara — a woman can enter business and compete with men — a feminist touch I like, and which Benedict wisely refrains from overplaying.

Despite such an ingenious premise and engaging protagonist, though, several obstacles hold the story back. First is Pointless Prologue No. 1728, in which Andrew pens an unsent letter to Clara bemoaning her departure, expressing his love, and promising to devote his fortune to charitable causes. A version of this letter apparently exists, which prompts the central historical question — why did he write it? — but sabotages the plot. Narrative questions do remain, but I think they pale beside the larger issues, not least whose story this is, the male industrialist’s or that of the fictive woman who influences him. I find Clara’s predicament compelling enough at the outset without a Famous Person waiting in the wings.

Also, rather than evoke Clara’s conflicts through physical detail, such as memories of her home and family, she asks rhetorical questions of herself, often the same ones. So many authors settle for that, and some readers might say that’s the difference between commercial and literary fiction. I disagree. A confident storyteller in any genre realizes that a three-sentence digression that offers a window on inner life connects with the reader and creates tension. It’s also subtler and more effective than three rhetorical questions in a row.

Carnegie’s Maid does draw some lovely parallels. Carnegie and Clara realize that they’re both immigrants, yet the distance between them is enormous. I wish Clara had gone a little further, recognizing that her lie is no worse than those he tells in his business, and that unlike him, she hasn’t hurt anybody. Her pretense, in fact, is precisely the sort of boldness that can decide success or failure, especially for a poor immigrant, and it’s certainly what has built the Carnegie empire. She can never say so, but I wanted her to think it.

Benedict also juxtaposes Clara’s family situation with that of Mr. Ford, the household chef and former slave, and her only ally among the servants. I like this very much, but again, I would have liked it even better had Clara imagined slavery or how her friend must have suffered. Likewise, I would have welcomed a passage or two in which she wonders what she would do if she had riches, or what it might feel like to be sexually touched, an issue that arises because of Andrew’s attraction for her. We’re told only that no one in Galway wanted to marry her, but surely, she felt some sexual pull, sometime. I’d have expected her to measure that fantasy against Andrew’s physical reality and to struggle with that.

Consequently, Carnegie’s Maid feels restrained, in a way, because of risks not taken. But I still like this novel, which has much to recommend it.

Disclaimer : I obtained my reading copy of this book from the public library.

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Carnegie's Maid: A Novel Kindle Edition

The USA Today Bestseller

From the bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room comes a mesmerizing tale of historical fiction that asks what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the woman who shares her name has vanished, and assuming her identity just might get Clara some money to send back home.

Clara must rely on resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for and an uncanny understanding of business, attributes that quickly gain her Carnegie's trust. But she still can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future—and her family's.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid is a book of fascinating 19th century historical fiction. Discover the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist to the world's first true philanthropist.

Other Bestselling Historical Fiction from Marie Benedict:

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

Lady Clementine

The Only Woman in the Room

The Other Einstein

• Print length 345 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Sourcebooks Landmark
• Publication date January 16, 2018
• File size 1802 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

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Editorial reviews, about the author.

Marie Benedictis a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms and for Fortune 500 companies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College with a focus in history and art history and a cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. Marie, the author of The Other Einstein , Carnegie’s Maid , The Only Woman in the Room , and Lady Clementine , views herself as an archaeologist of sorts, telling the untold stories of women. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B071W7C2CG
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (January 16, 2018)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2018
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1802 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 345 pages
• #11 in Historical Biographical Fiction
• #16 in Biographical Fiction (Kindle Store)
• #41 in Biographical Fiction (Books)

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About the author

Marie benedict.

​Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms, who found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. She embarked on a new, thematically connected series of historical novels with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and the role she might have played in his theories. The next novel in this series is the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE'S MAID -- which released in January of 2018 -- and the book that followed is the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr, which published in January of 2019. In January of 2020, LADY CLEMENTINE, the story of the incredible Clementine Churchill, was released, and became an international bestseller. Her next novel, the Instant NYTimes and USAToday bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, was published on December 29, 2020, and her first co-written book, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, will be released on June 29, 2021. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare.

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Customers find the book interesting, enjoyable, and well-written. They say it gives a lot of insight into Irish immigration, making them think and dream. Readers also appreciate the well-developed characters and fast pacing. Opinions are mixed on the value for money, with some finding it decent and quick, while others say it's a waste of time.

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Customers find the book interesting, enjoyable, and fun to read about the Carnegie family. They appreciate the historic details that flawlessly add to the story. Readers also mention the fictional story about Carnegie's maid is wonderful. They say the book stimulates interesting discussions and is full of history with rich facts from the potato famine.

"... Historical fiction is a fascinating genre that she’s mastered!" Read more

"What a fabulous story of crossing barriers , and standing for what you truly believe in. Good deeds can help others change their way of thinking!..." Read more

"...I thought characters were well written and the story was good . I just felt like the ending was a bit abrupt left you feeling unfulfilled." Read more

" A fictional account . Pleasant easy read. . Not earth shattering but still good!..." Read more

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-done, pleasant, and easy to read. They appreciate the details and descriptions that make it easier to understand. Readers also mention the characters are relatable, realistic, and imaginative.

"Written by Marie Benedict! An interesting author with a very descriptive style that I love!..." Read more

"A fictional account. Pleasant easy read . . Not earth shattering but still good!..." Read more

"Quite imaginative, if implausible. I appreciated the clean writing without unnecessary cursing or bed-hopping...." Read more

"I enjoyed the story and writing of this book. The struggles of immigrants has been told often & is done well here...." Read more

Customers find the book intelligent, saying it gives a lot of insight into Irish immigration. They say it's rich in detail and research, and deeply moving. Readers also mention the story seems far-fetched, but it allows the underlying message to shine through.

"I thought this was a beautiful book. Well researched , complex characters and interesting...." Read more

"...which she can make enough money, she has a major advantage – she is determined , clever, and educated...." Read more

"...was so fun to read about the Carnegie family and of course, Clara is such an inspiration !" Read more

"This books was very detailed and the author takes you right back to being in the same time period as Clara and Andrew and makes you feel the..." Read more

Customers find the characters well-developed. They say Clara's dedication to her family is admirable. Readers say the author brings a family to life and shows all of their emotions.

"I thought this was a beautiful book. Well researched, complex characters and interesting...." Read more

"...I thought characters were well written and the story was good. I just felt like the ending was a bit abrupt left you feeling unfulfilled." Read more

"...Clara was a great and believeable woman. Her dedication to her family was admirable . Her love for Andrew lasted forever." Read more

"...The imagery is well done and the characters well developed ." Read more

Customers find the book fast-paced. They say the story moves quickly while remaining detailed and full of nuance.

"Wonderfully written story of a historical time in our country. A fast read well worth your time this summer...." Read more

"Well written and fast- paced ...." Read more

"It was just an ok book. The history was good but the story moved slow . Kept reading just to see what would happen when the truth came out." Read more

"Fabulous story. Read quickly . Love, secrets, passion, and heartbreak. Ending was not what I was hoping for but would recommend the read!" Read more

Customers find the visual style fascinating, brilliant, and well-done. They also appreciate the artistry and inspiration. Readers mention the book is cute, absorbing, and creative.

"I thought this was a beautiful book . Well researched, complex characters and interesting...." Read more

"...The imagery is well done and the characters well developed." Read more

"...This book did not dissapoint. It was a very interesting look at not only Andrew Carnegie's personal life, but also his many business achieve-..." Read more

"...They were beautiful and almost 50 years later instill remember their smell. When I return to the area I go to the Carnegie Museums...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the value for money of the book. Some mention it's a decent, quick read with a great first half. Others say it's a waste of time and disappointing.

"...The struggles of immigrants has been told often & is done well here ...." Read more

"...for Clara never marrying in the end, which was rather abrupt and unfulfilling ." Read more

"...But overall, excellent read, great first half and really picked up, leaving you wanting more." Read more

"Good read, good price , good mystery, and easy to read." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the historical accuracy of the book. Some mention it captures the era perfectly, while others say it's unwise to inject fiction into history.

"...it now, she loves it also, though she is 50 years younger than I. Timeless ." Read more

"...A little disappointed that there was no historical basis for the plot line except for the family it was written around...." Read more

"While the story was ficticious, the details of the Gilded Age were superb ...." Read more

"...Interesting story and period piece - the history was too dry and intentional which disrupted the flow of the fiction." Read more

Reviews with images

Fascinating read about the new life of an Irish immigrant in a strange country. Loved it!

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