Lady Tremaine

Hochhauser’s splendid debut retells the “Cinderella” story from the stepmother’s perspective. Twice-widowed Lady Etheldreda Tremaine Bramley has a title and a manor house but virtually no money. Her daughters Mathilde and Rosamund face bleak futures if they cannot marry well, so Etheldreda sells some of her possessions and, with her daughters’ help, takes on household chores to keep up appearances. Meanwhile her shy and sanctimonious stepdaughter, Elin, who has never taken to her father’s second wife, stays aloof. When the queen hosts a ball for her only son, Etheldreda asks the three girls to sew themselves suitable gowns and earn extra money for their adornments, such as feathers. Elin, who neither sews nor sells the household ashes for lye-making as requested, stays home until the fateful night, when she borrows a dress, makes a late appearance, outshines her stepsisters, and wins a proposal from the prince. Though royal connections will be advantageous, Etheldreda grows alarmed by the haste and secrecy of the prince’s wedding plans, the reason for which she uncovers with the help of a trusted court adviser. Hochhauser grounds her tale with a convincing depiction of the medieval setting and offers a stirring exploration of maternal instinct and female strength. It’s a winner. Agent: Alyssa Reuben, WME. (Mar.)