Lady Audley's Secret
By- Mary Elizabeth Braddon
(Oxford World's Classics)
"Lady Audley's Secret" was first published in serial form in 1861. By 1862 it had become immensely popular and has remained a favorite novel among readers of Victorian Popular Fiction.
The story begins as Miss Lucy Graham, a beautiful and mysterious governess, meets the wealthy widower, Sir Michael Audley. Sir Audley falls desperately in love with Lucy and begs her to marry him.
Lucy agrees to the marriage, but doesn't tell Michael she is already married to a man she hasn't seen in three years and believes him to be dead.
Lucy's husband, George Talboys, unexpectedly, returns home to find his wife's father has declared her dead and buried. This is where the mystery begins! Does George find his wife who has married another man? What will happen if and when he does?
I've read several Victorian novels in the past, but this is definitely one of my favorites. It has everything a good read should have--romance, murder, suspense, a surprise ending. It is fast moving and holds the reader's interest.
The author has become one of my favorites and I'll certainly look for more of her books in the future. Expect more reviews to come.
I'm definitely intrigued! I'll have to keep an eye out next time I'm at my bookstore.
ReplyDeleteAnita- I'm sure you'll enjoy this fast moving book. It's a page turner, for sure.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I had no idea that there were so many Victorian novels around. Oh, my "to be read" wish list is growing and growing.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn- When I started, I was just going to read some of the ones by Jane Austen, etc., but when I got into that era, I found hundreds of titles by obscure, but excellent, authors!! I'm now a die-hard Victorian fan. My "to read" list is enormous.
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