Lifestyle Ireland: Gill Perdue Recommends a Book Packed with Secrets and Suspense

There is a particular pleasure in being handed a book recommendation by someone who understands how stories work. For readers following lifestyle Ireland and looking for their next absorbing read, Irish author Gill Perdue has offered a compelling choice: Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith.

Perdue, known for thrillers including All of Them Lied, selected the novel as her favourite because it combines the ingredients that make a story difficult to put down: vivid characters, deception, crime, psychological tension and a sharply controlled pace.

Her recommendation is also a reminder that good Irish lifestyle coverage is not only about fashion, travel or wellness. Books remain part of everyday culture, offering an escape, a talking point and a welcome change of pace from busy modern life.

Why Fingersmith remains such a gripping recommendation

First published more than two decades ago, Fingersmith is set in Victorian London and follows Sue Trinder, an orphan raised among a group of thieves. Her life changes when she becomes involved in a plan connected to another orphan, Maud Lilly, who lives in an isolated and imposing house.

The novel’s appeal lies in the uncertainty surrounding almost every character and relationship. Trust is fragile, motives are concealed and the line between victim and manipulator is constantly shifting. That makes it an especially strong choice for readers interested in psychological fiction, historical crime and literary suspense.

Perdue praised the book for its memorable cast, high stakes and atmosphere of “psychological warfare”. She also highlighted its major twist, which has helped give the novel its enduring reputation among fans of cleverly constructed storytelling.

Waters’ writing brings Victorian London to life without allowing the historical setting to overwhelm the human drama. The result is a novel that feels both richly atmospheric and remarkably propulsive. It has been described as an ingenious story of fraud, secrets and madness, and it was shortlisted for the 2002 Man Booker Prize.

For anyone building a reading list, Fingersmith offers a satisfying blend of literary detail and page-turning suspense. It is the kind of recommendation suited to a quiet evening, a rainy weekend or a long journey when an ordinary distraction simply will not do.

Read more: Irish culture and everyday inspiration

For more thoughtful stories connected to ireland lifestyle news, explore the latest features on Daily Digest’s Irish lifestyle coverage. Readers seeking broader culture, entertainment and modern living ideas can also browse Ireland’s media and culture stories.

From page to screen: two notable adaptations

Readers who enjoy seeing how novels are reimagined for film and television may already know one of the book’s screen versions. The BBC adapted Fingersmith into a 2005 miniseries starring Sally Hawkins and Imelda Staunton, among others.

The production also has an Irish connection through its director, Aisling Walsh. Her involvement brought an Irish creative perspective to a story rooted in Victorian London, while the television format allowed the novel’s shifting loyalties and revelations to unfold over several episodes.

The story was adapted again a decade later by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Released as The Handmaiden, the film transferred the central themes of deception, desire and social power to a different historical and cultural setting.

Although the film is not a direct visual reproduction of the original Victorian world, it demonstrates the strength of Waters’ central idea. The tale’s emotional conflicts and intricate betrayals can travel across countries, languages and periods while retaining their dramatic force.

That adaptability is part of what makes Fingersmith worth returning to. A first reading may focus on the suspense, while later consideration can reveal more about identity, control, class and the stories people tell in order to survive.

Explore more: finding your next great read

If Gill Perdue’s recommendation has added another title to your reading list, continue exploring long-form Irish culture and book recommendations on Daily Digest. For additional ideas around entertainment and contemporary irish lifestyle, visit Luxé Digest’s culture and lifestyle features.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gill Perdue’s favourite book?

Gill Perdue chose Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith, a historical thriller centred on fraud, deception, crime and two orphans whose lives become closely connected.

When is Fingersmith set?

The novel is set in Victorian London in 1862, with much of its drama unfolding between the city’s criminal underworld and a gloomy country mansion.

Has Fingersmith been adapted for screen?

Yes. The BBC made a miniseries in 2005, directed by Aisling Walsh, and Park Chan-wook later adapted the story into the acclaimed film The Handmaiden.

Why might readers enjoy the book?

It combines historical atmosphere with memorable characters, escalating suspense, psychological tension and major revelations. It is particularly suitable for readers who enjoy literary crime and twist-filled fiction.

For readers interested in lifestyle Ireland, Gill Perdue’s choice is an excellent reminder that a strong book can enrich an ordinary day. Fingersmith offers atmosphere, suspense and emotional complexity in equal measure, making it a persuasive addition to any Irish reader’s TBR pile.