Death and the Sisters

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The tangled relationships between 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. The story explores the complex dynamic between sisters and the emergence of Mary’s creative genius. At sixteen, Mary Godwin and Jane Clairmont possess quick minds shaped by their unconventional upbringing, disregarding societal norms for young ladies. With a mother who championed women’s rights, Mary rejects the limited paths available to her—either assisting in her father’s bookshop or becoming an ordinary wife. While quieter than her boisterous stepsister, Mary longs for real-world adventures. One evening, a dinner guest, the renowned twenty-one-year-old poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, captivates her. However, after the party, Mary discovers a man dead on the floor with a knife in his back. The victim, a former classmate of Shelley’s, was a rival. As Mary, Jane, and Shelley delve into the mystery, they uncover a web of connections involving Shelley’s circle. Simultaneously, the growing attraction between Mary and the married poet ignites a rivalry between the sisters, fueling both tension and Mary’s creative passion.