Victoria's Secret
The Private Passion of a Queen
$27.36
- Paperback
432 pages
- Release Date
14 July 2026
Summary
A stunning new story of Queen Victoria’s secret love for her servant John Brown, by the acclaimed historian Fern Riddell.
‘Weep with me for we all have lost the best, the truest heart that ever beat!’
From the moment John Brown arrived as a servant to Queen Victoria’s household, he became known across the land as her loyal companion, her fierce protector, and her right-hand man, their friendship immortalised in print and on-screen. But what if there was more to their relations…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781529199338 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1529199336 |
| Author: | Fern Riddell |
| Publisher: | Ebury Publishing |
| Imprint: | Ebury Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 432 |
| Release Date: | 14 July 2026 |
| Weight: | 314g |
| Dimensions: | 28mm x 128mm x 197mm |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
Victoria’s Secret reveals an astonishing new side to a queen we thought we knew, and a beautiful and revitalising portrait of a woman in love. This meticulous unravelling of a 160-year-old mystery showcases Riddell at her bold and passionate best. – Emily Brand, author of The Fall of the House of Byron
A witty, compelling, irresistible read that unpretentiously reveals a great deal about the Victorian age. – Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland
Through her meticulous research and propulsive prose, Riddell reveals the women behind the crown in all her fascinating complexity. Riveting, bold, and deeply human, Victoria’s Secret is an absolute joy. – Elinor Cleghorn, author of ‘Unwell Women’
Fern Riddell’s quietly brilliant book explores a part of Queen Victoria’s life that history chose to forget.
It’s tender, surprising and might just change how we see her.
Fern Riddell has solved one of the greatest royal mysteries of all time. Now, at last, we know the truth about Queen Victoria and John Brown – Bendor Grosvenor, author of ‘The Invention of British Art’
Fern Riddell
Dr. Fern Riddell is a cultural historian specializing in sex, suffrage, and entertainment during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. She hosted The History Channel’s podcast series #NotWhatYouThought and presented BBC 4’s ‘A Victorian Scandal: The Rudest Book in Britain.’ Her published works include Death In Ten Minutes and Sex: Lessons from History.
As a historical consultant, she contributed to the BAFTA award-winning BBC and Amazon drama Ripper Street and has advised on dramas for the BBC and ITV2. Dr. Riddell has appeared as an on-screen expert for specialist factual productions on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky Arts, and Smithsonian. She has also provided her expertise as a historian for BBC Radio 3 and 4, and for television and radio programs internationally, including work with Audible and Spotify.
Her writing has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, Huffington Post, Times Higher Education, The Telegraph, The New Statesman, and BBC History Magazine. Her work has also appeared in The Daily Mail, Penthouse, and Time.com.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.