The Colony Club: A Novel: A Captivating Tale of Ambition and Social Change, Perfect for Fall 2024 By Shelley Noble

The Colony Club by Shelley Noble is a riveting historical novel set in the opulent world of Gilded Age New York. The story revolves around three women, each from vastly different walks of life, united by their involvement in the creation of the Colony Club, Manhattan’s first women’s club.

Daisy Harriman, a society matron, faces rejection at the prestigious Waldorf Hotel for being an unaccompanied woman, sparking her drive to establish a club where women can congregate freely. She hires renowned architect Stanford White, who enlists two women to help design the clubhouse: Elsie de Wolfe, a celebrated actress-turned-designer, and Nora Bromely, a determined draftsman striving to make her mark in the male-dominated world of architecture.

When White is murdered in a scandalous trial, the project's future hangs in the balance. As investors pull out, Daisy, Elsie, and Nora must unite despite their differences and overcome societal barriers, class divides, and their own doubts. Together, they fight to see the club come to fruition, creating a space that champions women’s rights and social justice. Through their perseverance, the novel shines a light on the challenges women faced in breaking societal norms, while offering a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped history with their trailblazing efforts.

This intricately layered novel intertwines ambition, friendship, and societal change, bringing the Gilded Age to life with drama and historical richness.