Lost Autumn

In 1920 Australia, 17-year-old Maddie Bright applies for a job as a serving girl on the train for the royal tour of the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) but soon proves herself indispensable as corresponding secretary to the prince. She gains entrée to his inner circle and witnesses the responsibilities and privilege bestowed upon royalty. She’s enthralled with the glamour but naive about its dark side. In 1981, author M.A. Bright, famous for her one novel, Lost Autumn, lives alone in a ramshackle house in Brisbane. She watches the news of the engagement of Diana and Prince Charles and wonders what will become of Diana. The story shifts to 1997 and follows journalist Victoria as she navigates dating a famous American actor. Unaccustomed to the limelight, she struggles with an assignment to cover the tragic death of Diana. When she’s emotionally unable to continue with the story, she is reassigned to interview M.A. Bright, who has specifically requested Victoria cover her long-awaited second novel.