Ellen Wood's East Lynne

An enthralling Victorian sensation novel where secrets, infidelity, and mistaken identities collide in a tale of passion.

Set in the sprawling English countryside, East Lynne follows the misfortunes of Lady Isabel Vane. Left penniless and homeless when her father dies, Isabel is left with no choice but to marry a lawyer, Archibald Carlyle, who buys her former home East Lynne. He’s a caring man, but when his sister moves in she seems set on making Isabel’s life miserable. A tangled web of misunderstandings and betrayal ensues as the novel explores the consequences of choices made in the pursuit of happiness.

This volume is part of the Mothers of the Macabre series, celebrating the gothic horror masterpieces of pioneering women writers who played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the genre. First published in 1861, East Lynne was a Victorian bestseller and is known for its hilariously dramatic and tragic plot. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, Ellen Wood’s masterful work has had multiple stage and screen adaptations.