JANE ANDERSON: The Carnegie Girls

FREE EVENT

Celebrate the launch of Jane Anderson's new Scottish historical novel The Carnegie Girls with us this November - the second book in her new Scottish Library series.

About the book:
Wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie began his philanthropy in Dunfermline. In 1881, he returned to his birthplace for the foundation of his first public library.

Middle-aged Elma Dewar, had a secret childhood friendship with him. She’s thrilled when Carnegie recognises her at the ceremony with her young niece, Violet. He hasn’t forgotten.

Carnegie's library inspires Violet to defy Victorian convention and become a librarian. However, her work at Innerpeffray Library puts her in danger. Violet's whole future is threatened when Jock, her beloved father, involves her in a terrible deceit, putting her life at risk. One young man is determined to keep her safe.

When Elma loses the last happy thing in her Dunfermline life, it is Andrew Carnegie who reaches out to her, but family obligations and personal hopes seem impossible to reconcile.

Can Elma change her life at fifty? Will Violet survive? Must she choose between love and ambition?

About the author:
Jane Anderson is an Edinburgh based writer of historical fiction. Born in Fife, Jane originally studied English Literature at Edinburgh University. She spent most of her working life living in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Azerbaijan and Egypt. Now she is firmly entrenched in her bookish Edinburgh life. Retelling history from the point of view of women is where the fun begins.
Jane also published The Girl Who Fled the Picture in 2023 and The Paintress in 2024. The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter which came out in 2025 precedes this novel in the Scottish
Library Series.