Publisher: Charles River Editors
Eliza Parsons was an English author best known for her Gothic novels. Parsons was one of the first to write Gothic novels and her book The Castle of Wolfenbach is considered an early classic in the Gothic genre. The action centers around a young woman named Matilda Weimar who flees her nasty uncle and finds refuge in an ancient and mysterious castle.
Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1935) was a British journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction. He was one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Victorian 'golden age' of the short story. "Against Time" is the adventure of a young clerk, Ledbitter, who realises, to his horror, that he has forgotten to post an important letter from his employer to a prospective client containing a valuable tender. He had left the letter in the inside pocket of the waistcoat he had been wearing the day before. But when he gets home, he discovers that his wife has sold the waistcoat with a bundle of other second-hand clothes. In a panic, he sets off to track down the waistcoat and recover the letter before it is too late.Show book
Elinor Mordaunt (1872 - 1942) was an English author, writer and traveller. She lived extensively in Mauritius, Australia and the East Indies, which provided the inspiration and background for many of her works.Mrs. Scarr is a tense and mysterious ghost story set in Mauritius, a place where local mythology and European morals sit uneasily alongside one another. Mrs. Scarr is a beautiful woman of French origin who defies local cultural norms. She goes out alone at night and wears white rather than the traditional black. And her husband, who is a debauched sea captain, is mysteriously plagued by a single white moth wherever he goes.Show book
In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman,” Poirot and Hastings investigate the suspicious death of Count Foscatini in his apartment in Regent’s Court. Found dead at the dinner table, with three empty dinner plates, suspicion is immediately placed on his two dinner guests. But is there more to the story? This short story originally appeared in the October 24, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.Show book
A man comes upon great wealth and luck, and he then becomes upon betrayal and loses everything. So he then turns those who betrayed him into an ass (donkey) with magic salad leaves, and has all but one abused by someone else. One of these asses is a beautiful lady he fell in love with.Show book
Jane Austen's complete works form an enduring literary legacy that has captivated readers for generations. Her novels, characterized by wit, social commentary, and insightful character portrayals, offer a profound exploration of the societal norms and constraints prevalent during the Regency era in England. Austen's keen observations and astute critiques of the limitations imposed on women, particularly in matters of love and marriage, make her works both relatable and revolutionary. From the beloved classic "Pride and Prejudice" to lesser-known gems like "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," Austen's oeuvre showcases her mastery of storytelling and her ability to create multidimensional characters that resonate with readers to this day. Austen's works are renowned for their sharp wit and biting satire, which provide a window into the social intricacies of her time. Her novels illuminate the complex dynamics of courtship and marriage, unveiling the importance of love, trust, and personal integrity in navigating societal expectations. With heroines like Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse, Austen challenges conventional notions of femininity, presenting women who possess intelligence, agency, and the courage to defy societal conventions. By addressing issues of class, wealth, and social mobility, Austen's works transcend their historical context, offering timeless insights into human nature and the pursuit of happiness.Show book
"Olalla" was a "shilling shocker" written for the Christmas season in 1885, just before the publication of Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The nameless protagonist of this Gothic tale, a wounded soldier, goes to the Spanish countryside to recuperate. He finds himself enthralled by the beautiful Olalla, the daughter of his hostess, whose family conceals a terrible secret.Show book
