A Secret Between Gentlemen: Suspects, strays and guests – Peter Jordaan

Description

A Secret Between Gentlemen: Suspects, Strays and Guests
Paperback – January 14, 2026
by Peter Jordaan

A Secret Between Gentlemen: Suspects, Strays and Guests is the second volume in Peter Jordaan’s meticulously researched biographical trilogy examining the 1902 Lord Battersea scandal. This substantial paperback seeks to fill a crucial gap left by earlier accounts: the identities, backgrounds, and lives of the other men drawn into the affair.

At the heart of this volume are detailed life histories of thirty-nine suspects, ranging from prominent public figures to men who have otherwise vanished from the historical record. Each is examined for their known connections to Lord Battersea, offering a fuller picture of the social networks, private relationships, and hidden worlds that surrounded the scandal.

Beyond individual biographies, the book provides extensive contextual material, including documents relevant to the broader background of the case. Highlights include a transcript of The Pleasaunce Visitors Book, shedding light on who came and went during the period and how those movements shaped both rumor and consequence.

Spanning more than 600 pages and featuring approximately 50 pages of photographs, this seventh edition offers an unparalleled depth of research. It is an essential resource for readers fascinated by queer history, Edwardian-era scandals, and the long-suppressed stories of men whose lives were irrevocably altered by events of 1902.