‘Wasley is an Austen for our times.’ – Tess Woods, author of The Venice Hotel and Love and Other Battles

‘A heartfelt celebration of literature, rebellion, and the bonds of friendship.’ – Kelly Rimmer, author of The Midnight Estate and The Paris Agent

At Oxford University, 1928, four young women make a secret pledge: ‘I hereby undertake to take and read any book kept away from nice young ladies.’ 

They’ve come from unlikely corners of the British Empire: brickworker’s daughter Annie, wealthy flapper Ridley, refined Parsi aristocrat Dorelia and disheartened schoolteacher Norma. They call themselves the Society of Literary Marauders and the price of entry is having stolen a book.

Their illicit meetings rapidly become a lifeline in a world where knowledge is power, and women are fed lies and half-truths. They start with small misdemeanours – getting their hands on banned books, stealing back historical records claimed by the men’s colleges. But over time, they become aware of a true literary injustice – and they slowly formulate a plan to put this historical wrong to right… 

Full of intrigue, literary drama and the joy of rebellious female friendships, this stunning novel is an absolute unputdownable joy from first page to last.