Slashed Beauties

the new feminist historical fantasy read of 2025, perfect for readers of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah Penner, Deborah Harkness and lovers

By: A. Rushby

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Paperback | 16 September 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
336 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 15.3 x 2.6

Paperback

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A spellbinding tale of sisterhood, betrayal and reclamation revolving around three 18th-century wax models of women, known as Anatomical Venuses or 'slashed beauties'. Legend has it, these beauties are bewitched, coming to life to murder men who have wronged them.

Finally, these men will get what they deserve. We will make sure of it. Together.

Seoul, present day: Antiques dealer Alys is offered a vast sum of money to transport one of three highly coveted Anatomical Venuses to London, with one key condition - she must destroy it when she reaches the city.

London, 1769: After a chance meeting at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, young and inexperienced Eleanor is promised a life of luxury by the beautiful and charismatic Elizabeth and her protégé, Emily. All she must do is allow Elizabeth complete control of her destiny.

In this darkly compelling and magical novel, prepare to discover the dangerous secret shared by these women - a secret that spans centuries, and which will unearth horrors not of this world. Perfect for fans of Weyward by Emilia Hart, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow and The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, as well as readers of Jessie Burton and Stacey Halls.

About the Author

A. Rushby (also writing as Allison Rushby), was gifted the middle name of Jane, for Jane Austen. Wordsmithing was duly destined and, under several pseudonyms, she has published more than thirty books. She has long been a fan of cities steeped in history, wild, overgrown cemeteries, red brick Victorian museums, the curious and the uncanny. She prefers to write with a cup of French Earl Grey tea by her side and a cat curled up in her lap.

Industry Reviews

'SLASHED BEAUTIES is the warped, witchy lovechild of Madame Tussaud and Jack the Ripper - an engrossing gothic tale of friendship, misogyny, and the murderous consequence of denying women's autonomy.' - Ellie Marney, New York Times bestselling author of None Shall Sleep

'Utterly compelling from the first page to the final, shocking twist, Slashed Beauties is a darkly exquisite story that explores the corrosive effects of misogyny and the enduring power of female love.' - Christine Wells, author of The Paris Gown

'An extraordinary tale. Slashed Beauties left me spellbound.' - Emma Grey, author of Pictures of You

'Adored this gorgeous, sumptuously gothic feminist novel. Slashed Beauties moves from present-day Seoul to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens of Georgian London in a colourful riot that examines the macabre world of the anatomical Venus and the seedy underbelly of the modern-day antiques trade, with a dash of witchcraft thrown in. It's also about sisterhood, friendship and the ties that bind a beautifully-rendered love story that spans centuries. I loved it' - Emma Cowing, author of The Show Woman

'Easily one of the best books I've read this year... Captivating from start to end and tells a haunting tale of feminine rage' - Abbie Eaton, author of Dragonhart

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