Stacey Halls
Stacey Halls is represented by Juliet Mushens
Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Rawtenstall, Lancashire. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire before moving to London aged 21. She has worked as a journalist at The Bookseller and Fabulous magazine, and has written for publications including Stylist, Psychologies and The Independent.
The Familiars is her first novel and was published by Bonnier in February 2019. It immediately charted on The Sunday Times bestseller list and remained there for eleven weeks, making it the bestselling UK debut of 2019. It was also picked for the Richard & Judy Autumn Book Club in paperback. The Familiars has now sold in fifteen other countries as well as film. Her second novel, The Foundling, was published in February 2020 and also immediately became a Sunday Times Bestseller.
Stacey’s third novel, Mrs England, was published in June 2021. Her latest novel, The Household, set against Charles Dickens’ home for fallen women, was published in April 2024.
Praise for The Familiars:
‘This beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish’ — Jessie Burton, bestselling author of The Miniaturist
‘The new Hilary Mantel’ — Cosmopolitan
'Truly spellbinding’ — Good Housekeeping
‘Gripping’ — Observer
'A brilliant debut’ — Daily Telegraph
‘The Familiars is an intricate and sensitive portrayal of a brave, tenacious young girl carving her place in the world. A must-read novel,’ — Heather Morris, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
‘Fast-paced, twisty and immense fun,’ — Anna Mazzola
‘Historical fiction at its feminist best,’ — RED Magazine
Praise for The Foundling:
‘If you loved The Familiars, then you won't be disappointed by The Foundling. A gripping and moving read.’ — Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido
‘Pacy, highly atmospheric and tantalisingly gripping from the very first page. The strands of tense and devastating maternal conflict are acutely observed and beautifully sustained throughout the book. Stacey really has created warm and memorable characters, drawn with great sympathy and understanding, who deliver a taut and riveting read. With rich storytelling and a compelling narrative, The Foundling is subtle, satisfying and intensely moving; a fabulous example of great historical fiction.’ — Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh
‘The Foundling dragged me along in its narrative wake. Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars.’ — Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies
‘It was a privilege to read The Foundling. I really couldn't stop turning the pages as Stacey's beautiful writing drew a compelling tale of love and hope from the vivid streets of Georgian London,’ — Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose
‘A masterpiece of storytelling - a perfect, captivating mystery that expands to ask big questions about love and motherhood, all while maintaining the breathless pace of a thriller, and the stunningly vivid and well-researched detail of the very best historical fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough.’ — Katie Lowe, author of The Furies
‘I was completely swept up in this novel. It's crammed with vivid and engaging characters, there's a beautiful sense of place, revealing hidden aspects of Georgian life. And the central mystery of a missing child gradually plays out as a tenderly observed study of grief and loss, while offering the possibility that love will indeed find a way.’ — Amanda Mason, author of The Wayward Girls
‘Beautiful and captivating,’ — Candis
Rights sold:
The Familiars: Bonnier (UK), Mira (US), Darmolhimon (Arabic), Beijing White Horse (China), Znanje (Croatia), Pavel Dobrovsky (Czech), Turbulenz (Denmark), Lafon (France), Piper (German), Klidarithmost (Greece), XXI Század (Hungary), Kinneret (Israel) Giunti (Italy), Balto (Lithuania), Gursli-berg (Norway) Swiat Ksiazki (Poland), Saida de Emergencia (Portugal), Eksmo (Russia), Grada (Slovak), Ediciones B (Spain), Bokfrabriken (Sweden), Family Leisure Club (Ukraine), and The Bureau (Film/TV).
The Foundling: Bonnier (UK), Mira (US), Darkside Books (Brazil), Pavel Dobrovsky (Czech), Lafon (France), Piper (German), XXL Század (Hungary), House of Books (Netherlands), Gursli-berg (Norway), Saida de Emergencia (Portugal), Eksmo (Russia), Bokfrabriken (Sweden), Urano (Spain), and Darmolhimon (UAE).
Mrs England: Bonnier (UK), Mira (US), Dar Molhimon (Arabic), Lafon (France hardback), Pocket (France paperback) Piper (Germany), XXI Szazad (Hungary), Neripozza (Italy), Korean Media Studies (Korea), Gursli Berg (Norway), Swiat Ksiazki (Poland), Nemira (Romania), Eksmo (Russia), Urano (Spain), and Bokfabriken (Sweden).
The Household: Bonnier (UK), Mira (US), Lafon (France), NeriPozza (Italy) and XXI Szazad (Hungary).