Lost Autumn

“A perfectly heartbreaking tale of royalty, lies, and friendship” details a young woman’s coming of age on the 1920 royal tour of Edward, Prince of Wales (Kristin Harmel, New York Times–bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names).

Australia, 1920: For seventeen-year-old Maddie Bright, an offer to join the staff on a royal tour through the British Commonwealth is the invitation of a lifetime. As correspondence secretary to the Prince of Wales, Maddie is seduced into a world of exquisite luxury, dazzling new friendships, and secrets so deeply held they threaten anyone close to Prince Edward—including Maddie.

London, 1997: Victoria Byrd has more than any woman could want. A high-profile job as a celebrity journalist, loving friendships, and a brand-new fiancé. But when Princess Diana dies suddenly and Victoria is assigned to cover her tragic death, her perfect life begins to unravel. Even more so when elusive bestselling author M.A. Bright summons her to Australia. Spurred on by the harrowing death of Diana, Maddie Bright—the woman hiding behind the M.A. Bright pseudonym —is finally ready to tell the whole story of what happened all those years ago during her own brush with royalty. And she’s chosen Victoria as the only writer she will trust to break her story. It’s a scoop no journalist would turn away. It’s also one that will change Victoria’s life forever. 

“Riveting.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Sure to be a book-club favorite, Lost Autumn will please fans of Beatriz Williams and Kate Morton.” —Booklist

“MacColl is emotionally sure-footed, skillfully warming and chilling your heart as she dwells on royalty, humanity, the psychological ravages of war, and the persistence of love.” —Frances Liardet, New York Times–bestselling author of We Must Be Brave