More than just historical fiction, it is a tale of opposites—Catholicism and Voodoo, nuns and prostitutes, pirates and smugglers, tragedy and redemption, and, above all, survival. Set against the backdrop of 18th-century New Orleans, Sereda masterfully brings to life the city’s dark allure, where myth and reality blur in a way that is both haunting and deeply immersive.
At the heart of the novel are young women who arrive in La Nouvelle-Orléans in 1727, each carrying secrets and burdens of their own. There is Florence, who grew up on the streets of Paris and stole to survive but proves to have one of the sharpest business minds. Josephine, the aristocrat, whose arrogance and snobbery disguise a painful past. Genevieve, the widowed young mother whose tragic family history follows her to her new home. Zulimé, the youngest one, a descendant of a long line of Voodoo priestesses, wrongfully enslaved on Saint Domingue with spiritual skills that may just save her. Margarita, who escaped from Cuba and abuse she could no longer tolerate. Acadia, the girl from up North who is left behind by her father and brother. And Sister Stanislaus, the practical and worldly nun who is their anchor and teacher.
The Ursuline nuns provide them with a fragile sanctuary, but outside the convent’s walls, they navigate a treacherous world where love, betrayal, and power struggles threaten to consume them, a colourful but dangerous place full of characters with no good intentions.
Sereda’s research is meticulous, weaving together historical accuracy with an atmospheric, page-turning narrative. Readers have praised Casket Girls for its rich storytelling, calling it “intensely captivating” and “a novel that keeps you up at night—you just can’t wait to find out what happens next.” One reader remarked, “The French Colonial era comes to life in multiple ways, and the colourful characters haunt the reader, won’t let go until the end, and keep you wanting more. Is there a sequel in the works? One can certainly hope so.”
The novel’s cinematic quality is another standout feature. Sereda’s writing is so visual, a series of films emerge before your eyes as you read Casket Girls. The city of New Orleans itself becomes a character, shaping the lives of the women who seek refuge, love, or power within its mysterious embrace. “As a woman, I can see myself in all these characters as they form the tapestry of a greatly layered story where the city of New Orleans plays its own part.”
Part mystery, part crime, part love story, and part history book, Casket Girls is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. It is a spellbinding novel that is equal parts gripping, thought-provoking, and beautifully atmospheric. The sleepless nights are worth it. It lingers in the mind long after the final page—one that leaves readers yearning for more.
Casket Girls is available from Archway Publishing here.
