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Carnegie's Maid: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Marie Benedict (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 25,615 ratings
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The USA Today Bestseller

From the bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room comes a mesmerizing tale of historical fiction that asks what kind of woman could have inspired an American dynasty.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the woman who shares her name has vanished, and assuming her identity just might get Clara some money to send back home.

Clara must rely on resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for and an uncanny understanding of business, attributes that quickly gain her Carnegie's trust. But she still can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future—and her family's.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid is a book of fascinating 19th century historical fiction. Discover the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist to the world's first true philanthropist.

Other Bestselling Historical Fiction from Marie Benedict:

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

Lady Clementine

The Only Woman in the Room

The Other Einstein

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    345 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Sourcebooks Landmark
  5. Publication date
    January 16, 2018
  6. File size
    1802 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. What did it say about society that the best a lowborn, educated girl could hope for was respectable servitude? It was as if all of Dad’s teaching gave me a glimpse into a world for which I longed but had no means of entering.
    Highlighted by 1,077 Kindle readers
  2. Why didn’t anyone tell me that industrialization would look like biblical hell?
    Highlighted by 940 Kindle readers
  3. “We all tell tales, Clara. Sometimes for ourselves, and sometimes for others.”
    Highlighted by 467 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

The Other Einstein The Only Woman in the Room Lady Clementine The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Her Hidden Genius The Mitford Affair
The Other Einstein The Only Woman in the Room Lady Clementine The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Her Hidden Genius The Mitford Affair
Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
14,169
4.3 out of 5 stars
25,793
4.3 out of 5 stars
8,956
4.2 out of 5 stars
8,955
4.4 out of 5 stars
3,062
4.2 out of 5 stars
3,173
Price $11.51 $9.80 $10.00 $11.00 $9.69 $10.84
Don’t miss these inspiring reads from Marie Benedict! The story of not-so-famous scientist Mileva Marić, who not only loved Albert Einstein, but also shaped the theories that brought him lasting renown. Based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist Hedy Lamarr, this book celebrates the many women in science that history has overlooked. The ferocious story of Clementine Churchill, the ambitious woman who did not flinch through the sweeping darkness of war, and who would not surrender to expectations or to enemies. A thrilling reconstruction of one of the most notorious events in literary history: Agatha Christie's mysterious 11-day disappearance in 1926. Shines a light on Rosalind Franklin, whose world-changing contributions were hidden by the men around her but whose relentless drive advanced our understanding of humankind. An explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to choose: her country or her family?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Marie Benedict has penned a sensational novel that turns the conventional Cinderella story into an all-American triumph. Young Clara Kelley steps off the boat from Ireland into Andrew Carnegie's affluent world, where invention can transform men and women into whatever they dare to dream." ― Sarah McCoy, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Mapmaker’s Children and The Baker’s Daughter

"A special addition to the Downton Abbey canon...an absorbing exploration of the influence one plucky young woman might have had on this pioneering philanthropist. " ― Toronto Star

"[an] excellent historical novel." ― Publishers Weekly

"Feels like Downton Abbey in the United States…Benedict demonstrates the relevance of history to the present day in this impeccably researched novel of the early immigrant experience. Deeply human, and brimming with complex, vulnerable characters, CARNEGIE’S MAID shows the power of ambition tempered by altruism, and the true realization of the American Dream." ― Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl

"I loved everything about this book... A little drama, a little romance, and a well-told story... Highly recommended." ― Sherry Fritzsche, Bank Square Books (Mystic, CT)

"In CARNEGIE’S MAID, Marie Benedict skillfully introduces us to Clara, a young woman who immigrates to American in the 1860s and unexpectedly becomes the maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Clara becomes close to Andrew Carnegie and helps to make him America’s first philanthropist. Downton Abbey fans should flock to this charming tale of fateful turns and unexpected romance, and the often unsung role of women in history." ― Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale

"Fascinating story..." ― Bustle

"...engaging. The chaste romance will draw readers of inspirational fiction, while the novel is constructed to appeal to those seeking a tale with an upstairs-downstairs dynamic and all-but-invisible female characters who are either the impetus for or the actual originators of great men’s great ideas. For Fans of Liz Trenow, Erika Robuck, and Nancy Horan. " ― Booklist

"With its well-drawn characters, good pacing, and excellent sense of time and place, this volume should charm lovers of historicals, romance, and the Civil War period. Neither saccharine nor overly dramatized, it’s a very satisfying read. " ― Library Journal

About the Author

Marie Benedictis a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms and for Fortune 500 companies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College with a focus in history and art history and a cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. Marie, the author of The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, The Only Woman in the Room, and Lady Clementine, views herself as an archaeologist of sorts, telling the untold stories of women. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B071W7C2CG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (January 16, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1802 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 345 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 25,615 ratings

About the author

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Marie Benedict

Marie Benedict

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​Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms, who found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. She embarked on a new, thematically connected series of historical novels with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and the role she might have played in his theories. The next novel in this series is the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE'S MAID -- which released in January of 2018 -- and the book that followed is the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr, which published in January of 2019. In January of 2020, LADY CLEMENTINE, the story of the incredible Clementine Churchill, was released, and became an international bestseller. Her next novel, the Instant NYTimes and USAToday bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, was published on December 29, 2020, and her first co-written book, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, will be released on June 29, 2021. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
25,615 global ratings
Fascinating read about the new life of an Irish immigrant in a strange country. Loved it!
4 Stars
Fascinating read about the new life of an Irish immigrant in a strange country. Loved it!
Beautifully written book. Loved the characters and how they developed. Loved how Clara put her own wishes aside to help her family. Being an immigrant myself, I could absolutely put myself in Clara's shoes.
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Top reviews from the United States

SAMF
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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Up to now I hadn’t read a book about the background of America’s extremely rich immigrants, and how they made their fortunes. I enjoyed the characters in the book and felt it was well written.
2 people found this helpful
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Frances H.
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable historical novel .
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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Ok shipping and nicely packaged. I enjoyed the novel. Especially was fond of some descriptive and pictorial mention of some historical facts of New York City, Pittsburgh, politics and dress attire after the Civil War. The ending was not expected or appreciated.
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Denise Darin
5.0 out of 5 stars Self made millionaire!
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
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Love this book. Very enjoyable. Bought one for my sister. Will probably read it again . I am now a fan of this author.
2 people found this helpful
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Dr. Mickey
5.0 out of 5 stars The best
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
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I’ve read since I joined Kindle unlimited . Its sudden ending was accompanied by a feeling that I missed out on many years of the main characters development.
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Claudia Rake
3.0 out of 5 stars Wondrous story
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
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What a wonderful story! I so enjoyed the imaginative story! The characters are so well carried out! I loved this story.
2 people found this helpful
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C.M. Stetler
4.0 out of 5 stars Draws you in
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
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The story truly draws you in and makes you feel like you're right there. The imagery is well done and the characters well developed.
2 people found this helpful
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Isabell
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish it were true
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
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I totally enjoyed reading this book. I have read an autobiography of Carnegie and have a respect for him even though some of his business was at the expense of others. Who is perfect? I like to believe that he truly desired to help people to help themselves. The first library I ever went in was a Carnegie library and I have benefited from his dream
5 people found this helpful
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LT
5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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This author brought to life a family. It showed all of the emotions. An inspiring story of courage and persistence.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Janie Lucas
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book
Reviewed in Canada on February 29, 2024
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Excellent read. I was drawn in immediately to this very interesting story. I love the historical content. Everyone should read this book.
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Morag Prees
5.0 out of 5 stars Good story!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2020
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Really enjoyed this book!
Very lifelike and believable.
I was sorry to come to the end of it.
One person found this helpful
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Angart
4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Read
Reviewed in Australia on October 15, 2018
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This is another classic tale of a poor servant girl catching the eye of her rich master. However although our heroine, Clara, the ladies maid is fictional, her rich employer is not. He is Andrew Carnegie. So the author is constrained by history and one knows right from the start that the romance, such as it is, will never go anywhere and that is one of the novels flaws. Although the book is very well written and researched, the plot lacks drama. The romance is very chaste and is not imbued with much emotion and the premise that this woman might have influenced Carnegie’s business and philanthropic causes, really seems a bit far fetched. I also would have liked a more imaginative ending. As it is the book ends on a rather flat note. However Andrew Carnegie certainly was a vary interesting person and so I found this book most informative.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well researched historical fiction
Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2021
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Although the character is purely fictional, the author's mastery of the period lends credence to something that one would hope would happen in real life at the time.
2 people found this helpful
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DAVID ROSS
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great history fictional
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2023
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love all her books about the unknown people who in someway influenced their life.
Rosalind Franklin was and is an exception Historical figure in her own right and should HAVE bee the one To Win The Nobel PRIZE .... from another of Marie's books....
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