The Number One Irish Bestseller
WRONG WOMEN
Shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards for History Book of the Year 2025
A feminist history of Europe's largest red-light district and an examination of the lives of the women who worked there.
Tucked away in Dublin's north inner city, Monto - purported to be Europe's biggest red-light district from 1860 to 1925 with up to 1600 sex workers at any one time - made headlines for wild tales of debauchery. However, what happened to the women and girls within its brothels in life and death is less clear.
ABOUT
Dr Caroline West
Caroline is the author of Wrong Women: Selling Sex in Monto, Dublin's Forgotten Red Light District, a feminist exploration of one of the most legendary red light districts in the British Empire. Published by Eriu Press.
Caroline is also the host of the Glow West podcast, which explores sex, sexuality, and the body. Since 2021, Caroline has written a weekly relationship column for the Weekend Review magazine in the Irish Independent. She has previously worked as the sex and relationship expert for the Elaine Show on Virgin Media One, evoke.ie and Bumble UK and Ireland. She also has over two decades of experience working in social care, primarily with women and children, and currently works as a sexual violence prevention manager at a university.
REVIEWS
What people are saying
Donal Fallon, Author of Three Castles Burning
“A fresh new approach. Caroline West puts the women who worked there front and centre in a book full of humanity, empathy and insight.”
Katie Charlwood, Whodidwhatnow Podcast
“Unflinching in its purpose to peel away the stigma and reclaim the voices of those often dismissed throughout history. Meticulously researched […] frankly, refreshingly humane storytelling.”
Dr Caroline West is an author, relationship columnist, media commentator, podcast host, and a sexual violence response manager at a university
Follow me
