The Downstairs Girl

By: Stacey Lee

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

From the critically-acclaimed author of Under a Painted Sky and Outrun the Moon and founding member of We Need Diverse Books comes a powerful novel about identity, betrayal, and the meaning of family.

By day, 17-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie". When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender.

While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light.

With prose that is witty, insightful, and at times heartbreaking, Stacey Lee masterfully crafts an extraordinary social drama set in the New South.

©2019 Stacey Lee (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Spectacular." (Booklist starred review)

Delightful Surprise!!

I love historical fiction. I love books about other cultures. This book is both. What a gem!!! I wish that this author had more books!

Courage

The descriptive richness of the characters led credibility to the storyline and drew in the emotions of this reader.

This Story was exciting!!

I always like the love stories hiding in the shadows. Also, who knew that horse racing was crooked?

I love historical fiction.

Loved it! It was interesting and engaging. Jo was is a great character and shows perseverance and grit.

Sweet and sad story

Sweet and sad. Great characters. Great plot with a little mystery. I do love Stacey Lee’s books.