Agenda

Secret Kingdoms is delighted to welcome back historical novelist Katherine Mezzacappa to talk about her new novel, Lucie Dumas. In Islington, in 1871, Samuel Butler, man of letters, takes a young French streetwalker as his mistress, but later shares her with his best friend. A compelling tale from the shadows of Victorian literary life, based on true events. 

The real Lucie Dumas, later Dewattines, left her child behind in France, never to see him again. Samuel Butler was the prolific author of Erewhon and The Way of all Flesh. His story is well known, but what little we know about her life, which ended from tuberculosis in 1891, comes from Butler’s manservant. Katherine recreates the life of a London demi-mondaine in the days of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Lock hospitals.

In this telling, Lucie’s story intersects with that of Louis Vintras, Chief Medical Officer of the French Hospital in London where Lucie died. He published three novels and two volumes of poetry in the 1890s, abruptly stopping in the face of poor reviews. Later, Katherine Mansfield admired his verse.

Lucie Dumas is published by Stairwell Press on 30th March 2026. Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish novelist, born in Carrickfergus. Writing historical fiction is what she loves best. She lives in northern Tuscany since 2006, between the Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Maiden of Florence, her first novel as Katherine Mezzacappa, was published in April 2024, and was presented by Katherine at Secret Kingdoms in one of our standout events of last year.

The Event will start with an interview, there will be readings, and a Q&A. Refreshments will be served and there will be a signing. The event is free, places are limited, and we ask that you buy a 3€ voucher, redeemable at the event.