Exalted Objects

Editor's Pick — BookLife: "Brothers, magnates, and responsibility power this smart, humane historical novel."

A railroad tycoon must choose between his brother's freedom and his own ambition—before one reckless act changes both their lives forever.

New Hampshire, 1870. Railroad magnate George Stark has spent his life building an empire, but when his brilliant, eccentric brother Will—a poet, prankster, and devoted keeper of exotic animals—becomes embroiled in a public scandal following a devastating train crash, George faces an impossible decision: protect his family's reputation by committing Will to an asylum or risk everything he has worked to achieve.

Spanning nearly a quarter century, Exalted Objects journeys back to 1846 to trace the brothers' intertwined lives. As George rises with America's booming railroads, Will transforms the Stark estate into an extraordinary refuge for rare creatures and unconventional ideas. Against the backdrop of a nation rushing toward civil war, their story explores the fragile balance between ambition and compassion, conformity and imagination.

Brought vividly to life in a compelling performance by Alex Corbett Ashby, this richly atmospheric historical novel is a moving portrait of brotherhood, forgiveness, and the human cost of progress. Filled with memorable characters, emotional depth, and fascinating historical detail, Exalted Objects is an unforgettable listening experience for fans of immersive historical fiction.

© 2026 HTF Publishing (Audiobook): 9781963452396

Release date

Audiobook: 15 September 2026