Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond ~ Review

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 . . .

Genre: Historical mystery
Published by: Kensington
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 320

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I’ve found myself engrossed in yet another 19th century London murder mystery, investigated by strong empowered women against all odds. Apparently, I have a type.

What a unique book! I’ll admit, it took me a minute to get used to the language, but the oddities of each character made for a very intriguing read. The setting was dark and dreary with poverty, secrets, and prison hangings – yet we also found ourselves amid poets, dreamers, revolutionaries, and hopeless romantics. In the best way, it was a kind of ridiculous, absurd vibe, but that’s what made the story so exciting! I enjoy diving into a world that’s a bit of a stretch from reality. I think Heather Redmond did a fantastic job developing a dynamic storyline for each character. Flipping between two different viewpoints can sometimes be confusing, but I found it genius that Redmond wrote Jane’s chapters in the first person while keeping Mary’s chapters in the third person. That made it very easy to remember whose chapter I was reading should I have to put the book down suddenly and return to it hours later.

I highly recommend this one!! The scandalous murder investigation had me constantly second guessing who I suspected at every twist and turn. The whole truth of the murder remains shrouded in mystery right up until the very end when all is revealed in a dizzying thrill of a conclusion.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Partners In Crime Tours

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.