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Justine Gilbert
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Daisy Chain: Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize 2024 Kindle Edition

by Justine Gilbert (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

Shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize 2024, Page Turner Awards Winner 2022 and Winner of the Historical Fiction Company Silver Medal 2022

It's the Great Depression. The world is tilting towards war. In the White House, nothing is as it seems. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the married president of the United States, has started a long and passionate affair with his cousin Daisy, and moves her into the West Wing. 

Daisy is one of FDR's band of unconventional women: Eleanor Roosevelt, the fiery labour organiser, Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labour, and his secretary Missy LeHand, a political operative in her own right. Middle-aged spinster Daisy becomes FDR's secret wife. That's not her only secret. 

This fictional biography written by a family member who knew Daisy is the untold true story of a hidden love and hidden contributions, and of a presidency that benefitted from both.


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  1. Print length
    315 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Claret Press
  4. Publication date
    2 Mar. 2023
  5. File size
    703 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

Daisy Chain was well researched and informative and I could hear the voice of Daisy as I was reading it.

Eimear Lawlor, author of Dublin's Girl


A revelation. Justine Gilbert is a master storyteller. Highly recommended.

Historical Fiction Company 5-Star Award


Justine Gilbert shines new light on the tender side of one of America's legendary figures, President Franklin Roosevelt with a passionate and illuminating retelling of a seismic era from the perspective of 'the other woman.'

Louise Dean, award-winning author and founder of The Novelry

About the Author

Born in New York, on Manhattan Island, Justine moved to London with her parents when she was six. She returned to the USA for regular visits, some of which involved seeing her grandmother’s Cousin Daisy, who lived in Wilderstein on the Hudson River.

Her award-winning debut novel, Daisy Chain, is the fictionalised tale of Daisy Suckley's affair with FDR and the complicated web of women who surrounded and influenced him. The author has used some conventional research, but she also included previously unknown family secrets.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BQCXLX7Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Claret Press; 1st edition (2 Mar. 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 703 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 315 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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Justine Gilbert

Justine Gilbert

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Born in Manhattan, NY, USA, Justine Gilbert moved to London when she was six. Her father worked in the film industry and she spent many summers on European film lots, watching the movie makers and the stars. Formerly an English teacher, her love of literature inspired her to write. Now, she writes full time in between walking her four dogs and hosting a Ukrainian family. Her fictional novels arise from real life histories - the stories behind the news.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
49 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging with its well-crafted writing style and historical accuracy. They describe it as a good read that is enjoyable on many levels.

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4 customers mention ‘Writing quality’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality. They find it well-written and easy to immerse themselves in the characters. The book blends fact and fiction seamlessly.

"...But the main one - for me - was the writing. Beautifully written, and in a tone that perfectly suits the fact that the story takes place in the..." Read more

"...It is well written and very easy to lose yourself in the character of the protagonist in particular. Well worth the time." Read more

"Such a good read, fact and fiction interwoven so well - an interesting mix of history and a touching love story. Thoroughly recommend." Read more

"A brilliant book - a favourite to read!..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Historical accuracy’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book. They say it suits the story taking place in the last century, with attention to detail.

"...and in a tone that perfectly suits the fact that the story takes place in the last century, with attention to the tiniest detail...." Read more

"I love a historical fiction which shows original and real insight into a famous figure from the past...." Read more

"Such a good read, fact and fiction interwoven so well - an interesting mix of history and a touching love story. Thoroughly recommend." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Value for time’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and worth reading. They say it's a brilliant book and a favorite to read.

"...tender and yet complex story of a strong but passionate woman was enjoyable on so many different levels...." Read more

"...Well worth the time." Read more

"A brilliant book - a favourite to read!..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jan Hunt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sad to have reached the end
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Love a love story, especially when it's set at a time and place I know nothing about, so I get to immerse myself in a whole new world. This tender and yet complex story of a strong but passionate woman was enjoyable on so many different levels. But the main one - for me - was the writing. Beautifully written, and in a tone that perfectly suits the fact that the story takes place in the last century, with attention to the tiniest detail. Will be reading it again for sure.
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  • Lesley Sainty
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant book - a favourite to read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 September 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love a historical fiction which shows original and real insight into a famous figure from the past. Daisy Chain give us this insight behind the scenes of FDR's life alongside the political and cultural background of the time. A fascinating read - highly recommended!
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic details of that time and era
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 November 2023
    A book set in a fascinating time and era. Well written and once started, the pages just fly. Daisy isn't the only interesting women in this book, there are many. Keep in mind the expectations of that time placed on women and be amazed what many managed to achieve. Definitely give this book a go.
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  • C R OGLE
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully charming account of the life of Daisy Suckley
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Daisy Chain is a love story and biography rolled into one. A fictional account of Daisy Suckley's relationship with FD Roosevelt, based around family history and rumours. It is well written and very easy to lose yourself in the character of the protagonist in particular. Well worth the time.
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  • Viv Drewett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 April 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Such a good read, fact and fiction interwoven so well - an interesting mix of history and a touching love story. Thoroughly recommend.
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  • C R Dutton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Daisy Chain
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2024
    I was given the book by the author and initially struggled to get onto it. However I picked it up again this morning and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. The story is very cleverly woven around historical events but with characters from FDR's personal life that I'd never heard of. It is fast paced and, although I picked up on the twist, I was still suprised at the end and had to go back to the middle to re-read. I certainly identified with the main character and Ms Gilbert made her very likeable. A really good read!
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  • Jennie E
    5.0 out of 5 stars The characters leap off the page
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2024
    I was very impressed by the period detail and the imaginative insights in Daisy Chain - but above all, the characters leap off the page! My only criticism is that I felt the tension flagged a little occasionally. Some moving moments especially at the end. The quality of the writing made this a memorable novel.
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  • Lorenzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating gripping read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2024
    Daisy Chain is a gripping read which showed me a shocking side to FDR that I never knew about before. It is based on a true story but reads like a love story straight out of a fairytale; the most powerful man in the world falling in love with a plain spinster. It is a heartwrenching novel that also gives a fascinating insight into the politics of early-20th century America, and what it was like to be almost American royalty yet constantly on the brink of poverty.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • kimberly childs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating recreation of FDR's women
    Reviewed in the United States on 14 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a power house of a president yet he was paralyzed from the waist down. He couldn't have done all he achieved without dedicated women who loved him. Daisy Chain recreates his world through the eyes of his sixth cousin, Daisy. She was considered a wallflower and safe because she never married and was pushed into helping FDR relax by his formidable mother, Sara. In this novel, their unlikely love blooms as FDR pushes through his new deals such Social Security and shepherds the US into World War 2. Daisy works alongside a band of women: Frances Perkins, architect of social security, Missy LeHand, supersecretary and of course, his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. Through a wealth of details their world comes to life with all its animosities and passions. The author is related to Daisy and grew up hearing details of her life and love. I found the novel fascinating and couldn't put it down.
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  • Barbara Russell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever premise and fascinating background
    Reviewed in the United States on 28 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the reader is given a very special view of a remarkable family and a particularly interesting presidency. It is. clearly a meld of fiction and fact, but that is more than acceptable in today's literary world. Well done!
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