I was so disappointed by this book. After reading the blurb, I've had it on my to-read list for ages, and it really didn't live up to expectations.

On the positive side, I found the description of the divorce case, and the parts about the early feminists very interesting. The book was clearly extremely well researched, and written in a way that really drew me in. I learned a lot from this book, and so I don't regret reading it too much.

However, the plot is so tedious and slow moving. It's one of those books where I sat and wondered when is something actually going to happen? All this would not be so bad if I had become invested in the characters, but I found them all a bit irritating and unlikeable.

Also, the intriguing sealed letter of the title? It doesn't appear until three-quarters of the way through the book and is a real anti-climax.

Read it if you are interested in historical information regarding women in Victorian times, but if not, doesn't live up to the hype.