The Secrets of Mary Bowser: A Novel

Name: The Secrets of Mary Bowser: A Novel
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (1694 reviews)
Author: Lois Leveen

by Lois Leveen

Historical Fiction Biography Memoir

4.5 (1,694)

4.5 stars from 1,694 reviews. Top 83% of Historical Fiction books we track.

Published by William MorrowPublished 2012-01-01

$2.99Deal80% off peak

Last checked: Jun 7, 2026

Price history: $1.99 – $15.19

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Price range: $1.99 – $15.19

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Perfect for you if...

You love historical fiction centred on real people whose stories have been overlooked by mainstream history.
You're drawn to protagonists who are resourceful, morally complex, and willing to deceive those closest to them for a greater cause.
You appreciate novels that weave romance and personal stakes into larger historical events without letting either overwhelm the other.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer plot-driven stories where the hero's path is clear and the moral choices are straightforward.
You're uncomfortable with narratives that dwell on slavery's brutality or the psychological toll of living a double life.
You want lighter historical fiction focused primarily on romance rather than politics and espionage.

About this book

This historical novel follows Mary, who was enslaved by the Van Lew family of Richmond, Virginia. When Bet Van Lew arranges for Mary to receive an education in Philadelphia, Mary leaves her family to pursue freedom. In the North, Mary forms new friendships and becomes involved in the abolition movement. As the nation moves toward war, she returns to Richmond to care for her father and work toward emancipation. She poses as a slave in the Confederate White House to spy on President Jefferson Davis and assist the Union command, deceiving even those closest to her. The novel explores how Mary's courageous efforts to end slavery come with significant personal costs, even as she pursues freedom.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$1.99 – $15.19

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 80% off peak. Price has dropped 17 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 118 days. Typically stays discounted for 81 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #667K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Climbing the charts — 29% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.5★ from 1,694 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.5 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $15.19.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.