The Man in the Stone Cottage

A new historical fiction about the Brontë story gets published today:

The Man in the Stone Cottage

by Stephanie Cowell

Regal House Publishing

ISBN: 9781646036240

September 16, 2025

In 1846 Yorkshire, the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Anne, and Emily—navigate precarious lives marked by heartbreak and struggle. Charlotte faces rejection from the man she loves, while their blind father and troubled brother add to their burdens. Despite their immense talent, no one will publish their poetry or novels. Amidst this turmoil, Emily encounters a charming shepherd during her solitary walks on the moors, yet he remains unseen by anyone else.

After Emily’s untimely death, Charlotte—now a successful author with Jane Eyre—stumbles upon hidden letters and a mysterious map. As she stands on the brink of her own marriage, Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s secret relationship.

The Man in the Stone Cottage is a poignant exploration of sisterly bonds and the complexities of perception, asking whether what feels real to one person can truly be real to another.

Several reviews are available, most of them quite positive: Toby A. Smith, Pickled Limes, Library Journal, Layered Pages, A Shropshire Reader...