I liked this story. Characters are well developed. Story is well researched.

I'm a fan of historical fiction, and I really enjoyed this book. This is a fascinating peek at one of America's most wealthy families, and of the Irish immigrant experience in the late 1800s. It's told from Clara's point of view, and to experience her inner dialogue as she lives among the wealthy Carnegies and their friends is fascinating.

Clara Kelly is sent by her family in Ireland to the United States to get a job so she can get away from the poverty that afflicts them and hopefully send money back home. Her family are tenant farmers who are slowly losing their land, and her father is involved in the Irish independence movement against the English.

When Clara gets off the boat in Philadelphia, she is mistaken for another Clara Kelly, who died at sea and who was intended to be a lady's maid. She decides to take the job, and she relies on her father's education and her knowledge of the manners of the Irish landowners back home.

Clara becomes the lady's maid to Mrs. Carnegie, who immigrated from Scotland with her family. Her eldest son Andrew worked hard and studied the ways of his employers and founded the family fortune. Clara and Andrew meet and find kindred souls in one another. They are both intelligent hard workers who want to get ahead, and Clara influences Andrew's thinking and his actions.

The character development is very good, and the budding romance between Clara and Andrew isn't the focus of the book. The writing is solid and the book moves along quickly and held my interest.

I definitely recommend this book, especially for lovers of historical fiction.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who was Andrew Carnegie? He came from humble beginnings in Scotland. In America, he became an iron magnate and the richest man in the world. He used his wealth to improve society, creating free libraries. He sparked philanthropy with pouring money into education and scientific research.

Nevertheless, some accused him of being ruthless. And that’s what this story explores, his character.

Usually, I’m not a fan of a fictional character taking center stage in historical fiction, but Clara Kelley is a very moral, likeable and interesting character. She comes from humble beginnings like Carnegies, but from Ireland. Her father encouraged women education when it was unseen for family of her status to do so. She is observant of Andrew’s character. She likes his equal treatment of all men, but she is bothered by his determination of success. She questions, does the end justify the means? She witnesses family conversations and is allowed access to their library, where she puts pieces together of a 28 year old ambitious Andrew Carnegie.

The story is set between 1863-1867, during a time when opportunities for women were very limited; either in household or marriage. Serving as a nurse (which was limited to religious women) or working as telegraph operator was something new and rare.

It is set mostly in industrial Pittsburgh of Pennsylvania, but it also touches upon the Knickerbockers of NYC – a very tight society of Dutch settlers, who amassed fortunes in trade, railroad and stocks. They had no status in Europe, so to make themselves very important; they invented rules of society and didn’t want to let any outsider in, especially immigrant, no matter how rich.

The story is very grasping, progressing in action (not words), which makes it a page-turner.

Did not fully work for me. The dialogue felt too modern - especially how Clara and her sister communicated through letter - but the thought experiment was delightful. Why Carnegie changed himself so radically is a mystery worth exploring and I adore the idea it was an Irish immigrant who did it.

A grand idea, executed not nearly as grandly.

I must have requested this in error. I don't think I would enjoy it and therefore wouldn't want to give it a low rating. Thanks for the opportunity.

Fast becoming an authoritative author on strong and often overlooked historical women, Marie Benedict scores another success with "Carnegie's Maid".

In 1863, Clara Kelly is immigrating to America. She arrives to a new world unfamiliar to her as she docks in Philadelphia. On her way to Pittsburgh, fate intervenes and takes her to the home of one of the wealthiest families in this new America-the Carnegies.

Assigned to be Mrs. Carnegie's lady's maid, Clara must learn quickly the rules and etiquette for a prestigious family that prides itself on working its way from the bottom to the top. In the Carnegie household are also Mrs. Carnegie's two bachelor sons-Andrew and younger brother Thomas (Tom).

Alone in a new world, the only family Clara has is a cousin nearby, Patrick, who lives with his wife, Maeve, in a more industrial part of town whose fate brings into Clara's view what immigrant life is like for thousands more people who cross oceans for a new chance and opportunity. Her only possible friend in her new workplace is Mr. Ford, the butler, who warns her about overstepping her bounds while also worrying about his wife and daughter who have escaped from slavery during the Civil War.

Clara, educated by her father and smart on her own accord, finds a kindred spirit in Andrew Carnegie and the two become closer, bonding through books and Clara helps Andrew see new possibilities for his work that make him appreciate and pursue Clara all the more. She also challenges him on his newfound wealth, urging him not to forget his past as a fellow immigrant looking for more in this new country.

Only in this new world, teeming with possibility, some rules still apply and the wealthy son of a prestigious family falling in love with a lady's maid would have negative repercussions for them all.

Told from Clara's point-of-view, the novel follows her from her first step in America through her relationship with future philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Benedict has a good eye for detail without overpowering the narrative and makes sure that what the characters have on the line is clearly stated and the risks of what history's women had to take noted.

As with her fiction debut "The Other Einstein" (a Target Book Club Pick for September 2017), "Carnegie's Maid" is a Book Club dream, full of potential discussion questions and research possibilities.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for early access to this terrific book due out in January 2018.

Marie Benedict has woven a tale, circa 1860, around the flight of Clara Kelly from Ireland to the United States. The family’s land holdings in Ireland have become tenuous due to her father’s political position and therefore the family’s financial security is in jeopardy. Ireland is in deep depression with famine rampant and jobs elusive. The fare has been saved to send Clara to the United States where it is hoped she will secure employment and earn the funds necessary to help support her family.

The story revolves around Clara Kelly, Andrew Carnegie, his mother and the social condition of Pittsburgh. Carnegie is drawn in equal parts as likeable, disagreeable, generous, moody, socially aware, and successful with his business superiors willing to take the risks that walk the line of “not quite illegal”. His mother is painted as socially insecure, over protective and controlling, all qualities that drive the reader to embrace Clara’s dilemma. A hint of the ultimate consequence was set forth clearly at the onset and while acknowledging that Clara is in an untenable position it is unfortunate that the author became so repetitive. The cook’s warning to Clara that servants never come out on top was the “tell” of what was in the offing. The social commentary regarding the day-to-day life of the mill and steel workers in Pittsburgh and those in house service was informative and important.

The story was reminiscent of Susan Meissner’s style although not as impressively written. A solid 3-1/2 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC.

Carnegie's Maid: A Novel by [Benedict, Marie]

I normally love books that can be described as "like reading Downton Abbey," but I think the genre of "we're going to focus on a woman peripheral to a famous person and show how she changed history" has been overdone.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Excellent!!! I enjoyed this book immensely. It's a period of time many find fascinating, and I felt as though Ms. Benedict was true to the era and to the social and economic mores of the time. It always thrills me to read a novel steeped in reality as this one was, especially one as well researched as this obviously was. And then written with a great deal of heart so that it never felt too dry to give enjoyment.

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for this ARC.

From the viewpoints of Carnegie and Clara, we get a full picture of the times they lived in and their hearts. Clara will endear herself to you in no time, and you'll either agree with her decisions or lament them.

A beautifully written well researched book that is a pleasure to read. It is well put together and tells the story of Andrew Carnegie and Clara really well.

This is a wonderful story of the immigrant experience in America in the 1860s. Several characters are immigrants and I appreciated that one minor characters was also a freed slave, so some insight is given into that terrible part of our history. The author did a wonderful job exploring the complex person of Andrew Carnegie. All fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book, but as a Pittsburgher I was especially fascinated to step into my city and see how different it was all those years ago.

I was thrilled when I got the chance to read this book long before it was released. I mean as I write this review is it more than half a year left before the book is released. But, I just had to read it!

So, by the two stars rating have you probably figured that I did not truly love this book. Now, before I start to explain what worked and what did not work for me will I just tell you that I'm sure many will love this book. It's not badly written or anything. It's just that I'm pretty picky when it comes to romance, and that what in the end made this book fail for me.

Now, the book had potentials. The beginning was intriguing and I was eager to see how the story would develop. Now, I did know that this was a romance story. The blurb clearly stated it, but, despite not being a fan of romance books, do like to read romance in a historical setting. Clara is imagined characters, but that I didn't mind that even though I prefer reading historical romance stories between real-life characters. I did enjoy reading and learning more about Andrew Carnegie. Such a fascinating man. And, here is the problem, I would have loved the story to have been more about Andrew Carnegie's life and career and less about Clara, her tribulations and the romance between them. It just didn't work for me, I felt no sparks between them. To put it bluntly, Clara was not an interesting character and that made the romance pretty uninteresting.

And, the ending. I can't give it away of course. But, it felt very unbelievable. The beginning of the book clearly shows how it all would end. But, for my life can't I fathom that ending. It just doesn't make sense for me. Love always finds a way, and that ending was such a let-down to a story that already felt like a letdown.

I'm sorry to say, but this book was just not for me...

I requested Carnegie's Maid because as someone who has always wanted to be a librarian, his area of philanthropy really sparked my interest. What I discovered was one of the best historical fiction novels you're going to run into anywhere. The character of Clara Kelley was written so well it brought her fiesty determination right off the page and formed a picture in my imagination. When I am able too, I will be recommending Carnegie's Maid to my local library and any reading friends with even the remotest interest in the historical fiction genre. I gave it 5 stars for Marie Benedict's artistry in constructing a book that transporters the reader along with Clara Kelley. Thank you for the opportunity to read a galley copy of the eBook. I honestly loved it.

A very simple story: Irish immigrant Clara Kelly arrives to New York. She leaves behind struggling with the poverty and famine family. She is facing New World with coming to America, the world, which suppose to help her to help her parents and sisters. However once she is free to go from the ship and Ellis Island customs something unexpected happens: Clara gets a maid job at a very rich Pittsburgh family: The Carnegies. And the life will take its own course since then.
It’s the story of “ifs” but a very plausible “ifs”. In the world of 19th century America everything was possible. This story could have happened. I loved all characters: Clara for trying to be honest to her believes and helping her family against all odds; Tom Carnegie for being typical 19th century “entrepreneur” building step by step his family empire and struggling at the same time with his own vision of the world; Mrs Carnegie for being so real when she is trying to get away from her past as a very poor mother who tried to save her family. And all other beautiful written background characters without which this book wouldn’t be complete.
It’s a work of fiction but a very believable. Five starts for great imaginations and a well-written story.

I loved the characters of Clara and Andrew! I love how Clara reminds Andrew of where he started and she constantly tests him and pushes him. I loved the ending even though I felt it was a little abrupt. I also felt like the plot could've been pumped up a bit. Overall good book! Thank you Netgalley!

In the industrial 1860s at the dawn of the Carnegie empire, Irish immigrant Clara Kelly finds herself in desperate circumstances. Looking for a way out, she seeks employment as a lady's maid in the home of the prominent businessman Andrew Carnegie. Soon, the bond between Clara and her employer deepens into love. But when Clara goes missing, Carnegie's search for her unearths secrets and revelations that lay the foundation for his lasting legacy. With captivating insight and stunning heart, Carnegie's Maid tells the story of one lost woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist.

I love historical fiction and this did not disappoint. The author did a great job introducing us to Clara Kelly and how she ended up being employed as a ladies' maid by the Carnegie family, her meeting of Andrew Carnegie and the two falling in forbidden love. I love the premise that Carnegie taught Clara about his business dealings, while Clara taught Andrew that giving back to society and helping those less fortunate is more honorable than climbing the social ladder. A feel-good story even though the romance did not survive.

I wish the story would have lasted longer - I felt the author could have delved just a little into Clara's life after the left the employ of the Carnegie household, and into Carnegie's life as he fulfilled his promise to Clara.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!

I received this book from NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a quick and easy read. I read it in one day because I did not want to put it down. It reminded me a lot of Downton Abbey.

Clara Kelly came to the US from Ireland and by mistaken identity she found herself in the position of a Lady's maid. Although she had never been a Lady's Maid, she was a very intelligent woman and picked up on what her duties were. When Andrew Carnegie finds out that she has a brilliant mind things change.

I would recommend this book anyone that like Historic Fiction. I loved it.

Coming into this, I knew very little about Andrew Carnegie, and I admit that I wasn't sure it would be a romance or not. As a book, it's a fun, engaging read that's over all too quickly. The author has a crisp voice that I found very well-suited to historical fiction, and the main character in particular is beautifully crafted. Details are excellent, but not overwhelming or gratuitous. The emotional tone is also a glowing point for me--there's such a good balance. Never any maudlin displays that go beyond believability, while also avoiding the dreaded robotic drone of lacking emotion.

Clara Kelley is from a farming family in Ireland, sent to America to bolster their income. When she arrives, she hears a man call her name. Although she's pretty sure this posh man in a bowler hat is looking for a different woman with the same name, Clara takes the opportunity. She has to tell some lies and mask her accent a bit, but she makes it to the formidable Mrs Seeley, a placement agency owner who intended the other Clara to be Mrs Carnegie's lady's maid. Clara makes herself indispensable by realising that Mrs Carnegie is new to society and needs assurance as well as the high standards she more openly touts. Although Clara's initial efforts to be a lady's maid are blustering through with cautious guesswork, she also seeks information from a book in the library, which made her later settling into her role more believable. She meets Andrew Carnegie in the library.

I loved Clara. She's pragmatic and firm in her convictions. She makes difficult decisions like hiding her true faith (Catholics were not popular) without doing stupid wishy-washy things that would put her in danger of losing her position. She's realistic and not precious about pondering or accepting hard facts of life. Nor is she unfeeling. When she begins a friendship with Andrew Carnegie, she is careful to protect herself from impropriety and is wary of how a man in his position could easily destroy her life.

She does struggle to make sense of Carnegie's inconsistent behaviour, and not just in regards to her. I had trouble with his characterisation in this book. Most of the time he reminded me of the classic lionising of Teddy Roosevelt in Hollywood films. Bright, optimistic, and irritatingly unrealistic in the refusal to examine his flaws. Of course, as I said at the start, I didn't know much about him, so I may have just balked at his personality changing so much dependant on the company he was in.

However, it did hurt the romance for me. They have chemistry. They spend time together. But Carnegie's behaviour is beyond mercurial. His mother is described as such, and her characterisation bears it out, but Carnegie came across to me as two different people. I found I preferred the ruthless businessman shouting at his superiors/colleagues to the egalitarian nice guy who never has an argument with Clara. He's too perfect when he plays the love interest. It makes their early encounters look suspect, and I shared Clara's discomfort whenever he gave her a lavish and inappropriate gift.

The supporting characters are all drawn well and add to the setting and a lot of Clara's musings and revelations about the world. The household's cook Mr Ford is her only friend among the servants, and her immediate family and some cousins keep her grounded and show an important contrast between the life she would have had and the one she made for herself. The Carnegies' snooty society neighbours added some nice colour and drama as well.

Unfortunately, the ending feels rushed. While reading, I felt like Benedict tried to accomplish things that should have already been covered, some of it in an effort to tie the end to the prologue. The prologue set up some expectations that I don't think ever really saw sufficient delivery. It's in Carnegie's point of view, and he thinks about Clara as if she's a spitfire who often spoke of equality with passion, and I don't think she ever came across as such a caricature. The pacing is fine, but the ideas introduced in the prologue kind of felt left alone until the end in an awkward and unnatural way.

The epilogue is quite good, though. It's a thirty years later epilogue that reaches back to the author's intent on covering Carnegie's libraries and public works. Every side character I worried about had their subplots wrapped up nicely, and I liked how Clara chose to live her life after leaving the Carnegie household. In all, I'd say that this book is worth the time and the small hiccoughs. Mostly, said hiccoughs made me wish the book was longer, and isn't that usually a good thing?