5-STAR REVIEW: DEATH AND THE SISTERS by Heather Redmond

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About The Book

Mary Shelley Mystery: Book 1
Publication Date: September 26, 2023

The tangled relationships between Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Mary’s stepsister Jane Clairmont form the backdrop for an intriguing historical mystery, set in London in 1814, that explores the complex dynamic between sisters and the birth of teenaged Mary’s creative genius.

London, 1814: Mary Godwin and her stepsister Jane Clairmont, both sixteen, possess quick minds bolstered by an unconventional upbringing, and have little regard for the rules that other young ladies follow. Mary, whose mother famously advocated for women’s rights, rejects the two paths that seem open to her—that of an assistant in her father’s bookshop, or an ordinary wife. Though quieter and more reserved than the boisterous Jane, Mary’s imagination is keen, and she longs for real-world adventures.

One evening, an opportunity arrives in the form of a dinner guest, Percy Bysshe Shelley. At twenty-one, Shelley is already a renowned poet and radical. Mary finds their visitor handsome and compelling, but it is later that evening, after the party has broken up, that events take a truly intriguing turn. When Mary comes downstairs in search of a book, she finds instead a man face down on the floor—with a knife in his back.

The dead man, it seems, was a former classmate of Shelley’s, and had lately become a personal and professional rival. What was he doing in the Godwins’ home? Mary, Jane, and Shelley are all drawn to learn the truth behind the tragedy, especially as each discovery seems to hint at a tangled web that includes many in Shelley’s closest circle. But as the attraction between Mary and the married poet intensifies, it sparks a rivalry between the sisters, even as it kindles the creative fire within . . .

Excerpt

The Review

Take a trip back to the 19th century and hang out with a teenage Mary Shelley as she finds herself caught up in a murder investigation.

This fascinating historical mystery, crafted by author Heather Redmond, breathes new life into the backstory of Frankenstein’s creator. Death and the Sisters showcases the relationship between Mary and her stepsister, Jane, as well as the budding attraction to the married Percy Bysshe Shelley.

The author captures the setting well, clearly conveying the misery of living in close proximity to Newgate. There’s definite discontent within the household as Mary chafes under her stepmother’s guidance.

The investigation centers around a dead body found in the family’s bookstore. With everyone a suspect, the sisters and the handsome poet embark on a quest for answers.

While the plot is fictional, the author brings the characters to life. The scandalous relationship between Mary and Percy is ripe for future installments, delving deeper into family relationships, writing styles, and problems unique to the time period.

Death and the Sisters delivers a satisfying trip to the past, offering a new twist on someone who created one of the greatest literary monsters.

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About The Author

Heather Redmond is an author of commercial fiction and also writes as Heather Hiestand. First published in mystery, she took a long detour through romance before returning. Though her last British ancestor departed London in the 1920s, she is a committed anglophile, Dickens devotee, and lover of all things nineteenth century.

She has lived in Illinois, California, and Texas, and now resides in a small town in Washington State with her husband and son. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers. Her 2018 Heather Redmond debut, A Tale of Two Murders, has received a coveted starred review from Kirkus Reviews.