Alwyn Hamilton, the bestselling author of Rebel of the Sands, is gearing up for a special book talk in Chiswick on Sunday, May 11, as she discusses her latest release, The Notorious Virtues. The event will take place in the Boston Room of George IV at 7:00 PM, hosted by The Chiswick Calendar’s editor, Bridget Osborne. Tickets for the event are available through Eventbrite.
Hamilton, known for her successful Rebel of the Sands trilogy, which secured her a spot on the New York Times Bestsellers list, is now venturing into a new duology set in the same magical world. The Notorious Virtues—published by Penguin in the U.S. and Faber in the U.K.—marks her fourth novel and introduces readers to an intricate world of magic, wealth, and family rivalry.
Despite her widespread success, Hamilton has kept a connection to her Chiswick roots by working part-time in Waterstones Chiswick’s children’s section. This practice, which started as a seasonal endeavor, has since become a regular commitment for the author, who explains, “If you’re a writer, you spend all day talking to yourself, so I like the company. I love talking to children about stories, and I don’t want to give it up.”
The Notorious Virtues: A New Magical Mystery
The Notorious Virtues introduces a new set of protagonists—Nora and Lotte—two teenage girls from drastically different backgrounds, yet bound by blood. They are thrust into competition with three cousins to become the heiress to the Holtzfall family’s vast wealth and power. The Veritaz trials, a deadly competition with a bloody history, form the backdrop to the story, but Nora’s true focus is solving the mystery of her mother’s death, which was dismissed as a street robbery but is suspected to be politically motivated.
Nora, a wealthy, intelligent, and confident young woman, forms an unexpected partnership with August, a cynical journalist. Together, they dive into the darker corners of the city, following leads and uncovering secrets. Meanwhile, Lotte, raised in a convent after being abandoned at birth, discovers her own unexpected connection to the Holtzfall family. Over the course of the story, Nora and Lotte’s rivalry transforms into mutual respect, and ultimately, a surprising friendship.
With its thrilling plot and engaging characters, The Notorious Virtues promises a captivating reading experience, with the cliffhanger ending setting the stage for the forthcoming sequel.
A Career in Writing and Bookselling
Hamilton’s journey to success was anything but immediate. Born in Canada and raised in Italy and France, Hamilton began writing soon after completing university. Despite producing six manuscripts she described as “terrible,” her persistence paid off when Penguin published Rebel of the Sands, the first in her popular trilogy.
Prior to her writing career, Hamilton studied Fine Art at Cambridge and worked at Christie’s auction house. It was there, she recalls, that she reached a pivotal crossroads: “I loved my job, but it got to the point where either I had to give up my job, my writing, or sleep.” Writing won, and Hamilton made the leap to full-time author, traveling internationally to promote her books in places like Dubai, Poland, Croatia, and the U.S.
The Beauty of a Well-Crafted Book
Hamilton has been vocal about her love for the design of her books, particularly the intricate, colorful page edges of The Notorious Virtues, which she believes elevate the book into something truly special. “It’s so beautiful. It makes it something really special to own,” she said of the design, which was a highlight of her book launch at Waterstones Piccadilly.
With her fourth book now out and the second book in the duology already in the works, Hamilton remains committed to her writing and her role as a part-time bookseller in Chiswick—a balancing act that keeps her grounded despite her international fame.
The Notorious Virtues is available for purchase at Waterstones Chiswick and other leading bookshops.
For more information on the May 11 event with Alwyn Hamilton, visit Eventbrite.
