The Secret Woman (novel)
The Secret Woman is a Gothic romance and suspense novel by English author Eleanor Hibbert, writing as Victoria Holt. It was published in 1970 and became a bestseller. The story is set in 1887 and follows Anna Brett, who falls in love with Redvers Stretton, a married ship captain, while they tour the South Seas aboard The Serene Lady. A mystery unfolds involving murder, the destruction of a ship named The Secret Woman, and a missing fortune of diamonds.
Anna grew up in Langmouth, England, with her Aunt Charlotte in the Queen’s House after moving from India. She learns her aunt’s antique business there. One autumn night, Redvers visits and their romance begins. Aunt Charlotte hires a nurse, Chantel Loman, who brightens the house and becomes close to Anna. Then Aunt Charlotte dies from an opium overdose. Some suspect Anna, but Chantel defends her and the death is ruled a suicide.
Chantel takes a job at Castle Crediton caring for Monique Stretton, Redvers’ wife. Anna discovers she has Charlotte’s debts, so she sells some furniture and rents out the Queen’s House. While at the castle, Chantel and Rex Crediton (Redvers’ half-brother) grow close. Chantel and Rex plan to take Castle Crediton and the family wealth, which would require Red and Redvers’ son Edward to die.
On the voyage, Anna becomes governess to Red’s son Edward. Edward is drugged, and Anna suspects foul play, but others think it was a prank. On the island of Coralle, Red declares his love for Anna. Chantel’s letter reveals she and Rex are plotting to seize the riches.
Back home, Chantel’s confession explains her scheme to kill Red and Edward to claim Castle Crediton. On Coralle, Chantel poisons coffee meant for Monique to frame her for murder, but Chantel herself drinks the coffee and dies.
Anna returns to England, continues as Edward’s governess, and later learns Monique died on Coralle. Red returns to England to be with Anna.
Publication details and reception: The Secret Woman was first published in the UK by Collins and in the US by Doubleday. A 2014 edition was released by Sourcebooks Casablanca. It was a bestseller in 1970, along with Love Story and The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Hibbert’s earlier novels helped earn her the nickname “Queen of Romantic Suspense,” and her works have sold over 56 million copies worldwide.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:14 (CET).