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Death and the Sisters (A Mary Shelley Mystery) Hardcover – September 26, 2023

by Heather Redmond (Author)
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 77 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
See all formats and editions
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Before there was Frankenstein, a young Mary Shelley, her stepsister Jane “Claire” Clairmont, and poet Percy Bysshe Shelley are drawn into a shocking murder investigation in this deliciously captivating new historical mystery revolving around the real-life trio who would later scandalize 19th century England even as they transformed the literary world.

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 . . .
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Mary Shelly Mysteries
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Kensington
  5. Publication date
    September 26, 2023
  6. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1.12 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1496737997
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1496737991
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

FICTION, Mystery & Detective, Historical

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Death and the Sisters, Book 1 in the Mary Shelley Mysteries

“Redmond’s rendition of the dynamics of this most unconventional family is lively and colorful. A promising series debut for historical mystery buffs.”- Kirkus Reviews

“The real life story of Mary Shelley and Jane Clairmont is turbulent and thrilling, as is Ms. Redmond’s depiction of their youth, with a (fictional) murder mystery thrown into the mix for good measure. The bonds of sisterhood that would last throughout the lives of these very different young women are exceptionally showcased.” - Criminal Element

“Fans of the Regency period will appreciate the contrast between high society and the literary class as well as the romantic bantering between the married Shelley and the smitten Mary, along with the jealous Jane.” – Booklist

"A terrific blend of gritty history with a mystery that will keep readers turning pages. Impeccably researched and imaginative, Redmond’s first Mary Shelley Mystery immerses readers in the drama of young Mary Godwin and her family, as well as her budding romance with Percy Shelley, as they work together to solve a wonderfully bookish murder." —Susanna Craig, author of The Lady Knows Best  

"Death and the Sisers is a rip-roaring murder mystery. Redmond's foray in the world of rational atheists in early 19th century London is a mesmerizing, forceful delight.”—Eilis Flynn, author of The Riddle of Rym  

“Crafted with vivid historical detail, an artfully twisted plot, and engaging characters.” —Dianne Freeman, author of the award-winning Countess of Harleigh Mysteries
 
"It might be the way London comes to life in all of its dark and gritty complexities, or the dynamics between Mary and her step-sister, Jane...Propulsive and immersive, Heather Redmond is at the top of her game until the intense and satisfying end." —Mary Keliikoa, author of Hidden Pieces  

“An intrepid cast of characters, a stunningly atmospheric 19th-century London, and a riveting murder… Highly recommend.” —Melissa Bourbon, bestselling author

About the Author

Heather Redmond is the author of the Mary Shelley Mysteries, Dickens of a Crime series and the Journaling Mysteries, as well as historical and contemporary romances written under the name Heather Hiestand. Though her last known 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 president of the Columbia River Chapter of Sisters in Crime, she be found online at HeatherRedmond.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (September 26, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496737997
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496737991
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.12 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 77 ratings

About the author

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Heather Redmond

Heather Redmond

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Heather Redmond is a long-time author under another name. First published in mystery, she took a long detour through romance before returning. Though her grandfather departed London in the 1920s, she is a committed anglophile, Dickens devotee, and lover of all things nineteenth century.

Please sign up for Heather’s newsletter to receive new release information, sales, and contests.

Website: http://www.heatherredmond.com

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Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
77 global ratings
Excellent story!
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent story!
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.
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Top reviews from the United States

Avonna
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Start to a New Series
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
DEATH AND THE SISTERS (Mary Shelley Mystery Book #1) by Heather Redmond is an engaging historical mystery and the first in a new series featuring the unconventional Mary Godwin (future Mrs. Shelley and author of “Frankenstein”), her stepsister, Jane Clairmont, and Percy Shelley who was a benefactor to Mary and Jane’s father all come together as amateur sleuths in 1814 London.

Mary discovers a young man stabbed to death on the floor of her father’s bookshop in the night when she goes down to retrieve a book to read. At first it was believed to be the famous poet Percy Shelley, but it was a contemporary competitor of Shelley’s. Mary is determined to solve the crime and with Jane and Shelley, they begin to unravel the clues that lead to Shelley’s closest circle of friends. As the investigation heats up, so does the attraction between Mary and Shelley, but it also sparks an even deeper rivalry between the sisters.

I loved that this book featured working and artistic people and was not centered around the ton. The author’s descriptive writing is atmospheric and made me feel as though I was there in 1814 London, but the dialogue a few times slipped into modern verbiage which pulled me out of the story. I liked getting each of the sister’s points of view with the alternating chapter narration because both were strong and intelligent characters. The competition between them was believable, but at times their immaturity was annoying and yes, I realize they were in their teens, but at that time in history, I would expect them to be more mature. The plot was intriguing and well-paced with plenty of red herrings, but I did not like the late revelation of information from some until close to the end.

Overall, an entertaining introduction to these characters and a beguiling mystery solved. I will be looking forward to the evolution of these characters in future books in this new series.
4 people found this helpful
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Cecilia Rodriguez
3.0 out of 5 stars Historical mystery
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
Set in 1814 London and narrated by Mary Godwin and her stepsister: Jane Claremont; after Cecil Campbell is found murdered in the family bookshop, Mary and Jane rely on each other to investigate the crime.
A good blend of history and mystery.
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quilling mama
4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I normally read but it is a good book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
I have always wondered about the Shelly's. It has mystery and keeps a person interested right up to the last word!
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S. Salim
1.0 out of 5 stars Boring
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
I found this book boring and difficult to even want to finish. The characters were all over the place and seemed to complain about the same situation over and over on every page.
I was tired of trying to follow the logic of these girls. It got to the point that I didn't even care who the killer was. I'm happy that I forced myself to finish it but will not read volume 2.
Very disappointing.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
This novel was a real page turner. It keep the reader interested in finding out who the killer was. It was an accurate description of life in that time period.
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Attica
4.0 out of 5 stars More, Please!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Heather Redmond for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death and the Sisters coming out September 26, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

London, 1814: Mary Godwin and her stepsister Jane Clairmont, both sixteen, possess quick-witted minds stemming from their unique upbringing, and pay little attention to the rules that other young ladies follow. Mary, whose mother famously advocated for women’s rights, refuses the two paths that are open to her—that of an assistant in her father’s bookshop, or a wife. Though more reserved than the boisterous Jane, Mary’s imagination is keen, and she yearns for worldly adventures. 

One evening, a chance encounter 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 most recently become rival. What was he doing in the Godwins’ home? Mary, Jane, and Shelley are all eager to the truth behind the tragedy, especially as each new discovery seems to unravel a tangled web that includes many in Shelley’s inner circle. But as the chemistry between Mary and the married poet intensifies, it sparks a rivalry between the sisters, even as it kindles the creative fire within.

I’ve read another book by this author. I love how she uses classic authors in her stories. So I was excited to check this out. Mary Shelley is fascinating as an authoress. I loved the first half of the book. I thought it was really interesting idea to explain Mary’s fascination with horror. The middle got a little muddled for me. I think it was a little much with the romance and sisters’ rivalry and murder investigation. And Shelley didn’t seem as strong a character as I thought he’d be. I definitely thought the sisters had strong personalities and I loved that. I loved how they were eager to solve the mystery. I definitely want to check out other books that might be in the series. I think more will be revealed and fleshed out later in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literary authors and murder mysteries!
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brenna
3.0 out of 5 stars A decent vacation read
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
A decent novel from Heather Redmond. This novel follows Mary, Fanny, and Jane as teenagers, and having first met Shelley. Living with her father and stepmother and helping run the bookstore, a murder occurs in the bookshop. Each of the sisters tries to solve the murder.

I found this to be a weekend read or a vacation read type of book. Decently written, though I thought the ending could have been a little not quite up to my liking. It would be difficult to describe without a spoiler, so I will leave it at that.
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