Queen of the Mist

“A reminder that age is no barrier to the unconventional and daring…An extraordinary story about an extraordinary woman.” New York Times bestseller Hazel Gaynor

“Told with warmth and grace, this novel is a rallying cry for all who dare regardless of age and gender.” Toronto Star

Teacher. Widow. Legend.

It’s 1901 and the mists of change are swirling. Queen Victoria’s reign is about to come to an end, and an obscure widow in Buffalo, New York, is about to attempt the impossible.

Meet the courageous Mrs Annie Edson Taylor. The bravest woman you’ve never heard of and the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel —over a decade before any man dared to do the same.

Enter a world of lost fortunes and friendship, as Annie, grieving the past and determined to change the lives of the women around her, attempts to alter the course of history.

With a single jump, that is.

"Cauchi takes us on an enjoyable ride of a tale, told from the heart." Historical Novel Society

Praise for The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Groundbreaking.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Historical fiction at its best.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “There is only one word for it; MAGIC.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A beautifully written story that's based on true events…My emotions were all over the place. Annie had incredible courage.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I laughed, cried, gasped, cried some more. Every single word is perfection!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The absolute courage of this woman was amazing. This should be made into a film.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“She defied the archaic ideas, modes of restraint and ageism put on women of her era. I cannot rave enough about this novel and what a brilliant ‘fictionalised love letter’ Ms Cauchi has written in honour of Annie Edson Taylor.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐“A reminder of how women have unreservedly been written out of history.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A tale of loss and betrayal, but also of perseverance, courage and defying odds.”

Reviews

Praise for Caroline Cauchi writing as Caroline Smailes:

‘Magical, weird, wonderful’ Matt Haig

‘Witty and touching’ Guardian

‘Haunting, heartfelt and beautiful’ Chris Cleave

‘I loved it, so good!’ Carrie Hope Fletcher

About the author

Caroline Cauchi also writes as Caroline Smailes and her acclaimed novel, The Drowning of Arthur Braxton was adapted into a film starring James Tarpey and Johnny Vegas. It won Best UK Feature 2021 at Raindance film festival. Matt Haig called the novel, ‘magical, weird, wonderful’.

Caroline worked as a lecturer for several years before turning her hand to fiction. She lives in Liverpool with her husband and children.