Scarlet and Hyssop: A Novel

In the glittering heart of early‑summer London, the genteel world of Park Lane buzzes with a restless energy that feels both inevitable and absurd. Lady Alston and the sharp‑tongued Mrs. Brereton observe the city’s frantic rush toward novelty, mocking the way its residents all seem to adopt the same fads at once. Their banter—part philosophy, part satire—sets the tone for a novel that skewers the pretensions of high society while revealing the quiet desperation beneath its polished surface.

Enter Mildred Brereton, a young woman whose restless spirit and fleeting sleep leave her questioning the very foundations of the world she inhabits. As she navigates the tangled web of social expectations, family obligations, and whispered romances, she discovers that the “originality” everyone craves may be nothing more than a cleverly dressed illusion. The story unfolds with wit and insight, inviting listeners to laugh at the absurdities of the era while feeling the pulse of a woman on the brink of change.