Subject
Bigamy -- Fiction Books
Best books
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Lady Audley's Secret
"Lady Audley's Secret" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1862. The story follows the beautiful and enigmatic Lucy Graham, who marries wealthy Sir Michael Audley despite her mysterious past. When Robert Audley's friend George Talboys vanishes after visiting the estate, Robert begins investigating—and troubling evidence points toward the charming Lady Audley herself. This tale of secrets, possible bigamy, and dark deeds became the most successful sensation novel of its era.
Wilkie Collins
Man and Wife
"Man and Wife" by Wilkie Collins is a sensation novel published in 1870. When a governess is abandoned by her lover through a loophole in Scottish marriage law, three people find themselves entangled in a legal nightmare. Who is married to whom? As lawyers clash and reputations hang in the balance, the story darkens from legal thriller to deadly conspiracy. Collins weaves social critique with suspense, exposing the dangers of flawed marriage laws and the brutality lurking beneath Victorian respectability.
Geraldine Bonner
Rich men's children
"Rich Men’s Children" by Geraldine Bonner is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives of wealthy characters navigating personal and social dilemmas against the backdrop of California’s mining history. The central figures introduced include Bill Cannon, a prosperous miner known as the Bonanza King, and his daughter Rose, who are depicted against a dramatic landscape marked by isolation and intrigue. The opening portion sets the stage for the journey of Bill Cannon and his daughter, Rose, as they travel through the cold California foothills to reach the mining camp of Rocky Bar. The atmosphere is charged with a mix of adventure and the stark realities of pioneer life. The narrative captures their arrival in Rocky Bar, where they attract attention due to their status and the mystique surrounding Bill Cannon’s past. As they settle in for a meal at the local inn, hints of personal complexities and underlying tensions in their lives begin to emerge. This first chapter introduces not only the physical journey but also foreshadows a deeper exploration of themes related to family, societal expectations, and the impact of wealth on relationships.
Charles Reade
Griffith Gaunt; or, Jealousy Volumes 1 to 3 (of 3)
"Griffith Gaunt; or, Jealousy" by Charles Reade is a sensation novel published in 1866. A gentleman without fortune marries a wealthy Catholic heiress, but their passionate eight-year marriage unravels through violent tempers and insane jealousy. When Griffith flees after a misunderstanding with his wife's priest, he assumes a false identity and commits bigamy with an innkeeper's daughter. His deception spirals into accusations of murder, a dramatic trial, and shocking revelations. This controversial bestseller scandalized American critics with its bold portrayal of matrimonial betrayal and became Reade's personal favorite work.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 1 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 1" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. Aurora Floyd, the spirited daughter of a wealthy banker, harbors a dark secret from her past that threatens her future happiness. When two suitors seek her hand, she must conceal a mysterious fifteen-month disappearance that broke her father's heart. Her eventual marriage brings unexpected danger when a figure from her hidden past arrives—and is soon found murdered, casting suspicion upon Aurora herself.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 2 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 2" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. The second volume follows Aurora's marriage to John Mellish, which becomes threatened when a man from her mysterious past arrives at their estate. After he is found murdered, suspicion falls on Aurora, whose secret history makes her vulnerable to accusations. As rumors spread and evidence mounts against her, Aurora must fight to prove her innocence while protecting both her marriage and reputation from devastating scandal.
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
For whose sake? A sequel to "Why did he wed her?"
"For Whose Sake?" by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds primarily on board the ocean steamer Scorpio, where the lives of two main characters, Gentleman Geff and Jennie Montgomery, intersect in a dramatic and unexpected way. The narrative explores themes of identity, deception, and the consequences of one’s past. The opening of the novel introduces us to the tranquil yet tense atmosphere aboard the Scorpio, highlighting Gentleman Geff's life of luxury and guilt, as he travels with his new bride, Lamia, believing that his former wife is dead. Unbeknownst to him, Jennie Montgomery, his actual wife, is also a passenger on the ship, recovering from seasickness. Their fates collide when Jennie unexpectedly encounters Kightly Montgomery—Geff’s true identity—leading to a charged confrontation that reveals the complexities and betrayals of love and marriage. This initial encounter sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their intertwined lives, moral dilemmas, and the impact of social status on personal relationships.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 3 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 3" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. The spoiled yet kind-hearted Aurora Floyd harbors a dark secret from her past that threatens her marriage to devoted John Mellish. When a mysterious trainer arrives at their estate and is subsequently murdered, Aurora becomes the prime suspect. As rumors swirl and evidence mounts against her, she must navigate suspicion, shame, and the growing distance between herself and her husband while fighting to prove her innocence.
Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Invincible Minnie
"Invincible Minnie" by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Minnie, who is depicted as a capable yet unconventional young woman navigating the challenges set before her. The narrative examines social class dynamics and personal ambition through her interactions with the other characters, particularly Mr. Petersen, who becomes entwined in her life. The opening of "Invincible Minnie" introduces Mr. Petersen as he grapples with the dilemma of being a compassionate landlord to Mrs. Defoe, an elderly tenant struggling to pay her rent. During his visit to the Defoe household, he meets Minnie, a seemingly ordinary young woman who possesses underlying complexities. The text sets up the contrast between the older generation's expectations and Minnie's burgeoning sense of independence. Themes of social class differences are apparent, particularly through Minnie’s interactions with Mr. Petersen, foreshadowing a deeper examination of personal relationships as the plot unfolds. As the story progresses, it is clear that Minnie's ambition will drive the plot and her relationships with those around her, particularly as she contemplates her future in a world filled with societal pressures.
George Barr McCutcheon
The Sherrods
"The Sherrods" by George Barr McCutcheon is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around the lives of Justine Van and Jud Sherrod, two young lovers from a rural background who navigate the challenges of poverty and societal expectations after their marriage. The book explores themes of love, ambition, and the tension between country life and the allure of the city. At the start of the story, we meet Justine and Jud on the eve of their wedding. Their tender interaction hints at a deep emotional connection, yet there is an underlying tension due to another suitor, 'Gene Crawley, whose aggressive behavior threatens their happiness. As they transition from a life of youthful dreams to the responsibilities of marriage, the opening chapters set the stage for conflicts that will test their bond, including the ominous presence of Crawley, who harbors dark intentions. The unfolding dynamics between the characters highlight the purity of Justine and Jud's love against the backdrop of adversities, hinting at themes of resilience in the face of societal challenges.
Richard Marsh
A Duel
"A Duel" by Richard Marsh is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with Isabel discovering the harsh realities of her marriage to Gregory Lamb shortly after their honeymoon, revealing deep financial struggles and the revelations about her husband’s deceit. As tensions rise, Isabel's desperation leads her to make impulsive decisions, ultimately finding herself in an unexpected marriage with a dying man named Cuthbert Grahame, who she believed would be dead shortly after their union. The opening of the book finds Isabel grappling with the shattering news from her husband’s mother, revealing their dire financial circumstances and prompting her to seek freedom from an unfulfilling marriage. In a moment of impulsivity, she steals money from her landlady and attempts to leave but injures her ankle, ultimately being rescued by a doctor. This leads her to Cuthbert Grahame’s bedside, where she is presented with an outrageous proposal to marry him in order to secure a financial inheritance, which she reluctantly accepts. This initial twist sets the stage for a story that explores themes of desperation, marriage, and cunning survival as Isabel navigates her complex new reality of being a wife to an ailing man.
F. E. Mills (Florence Ethel Mills) Young
The Bigamist
"The Bigamist" by F.E. Mills Young is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives of Herbert Arnott and his wife Pamela, focusing on the complexities of their marriage against the backdrop of a deeply troubling revelation: Herbert has another wife whose existence he has concealed. The main characters grapple with themes of love, deception, and societal norms, as the stability of their seemingly happy life begins to unravel. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Herbert and Pamela Arnott on the eve of their fifth wedding anniversary. Herbert appears troubled and preoccupied, while Pamela is blissfully content with their life together. As they share intimate moments and reflect on their happiness, a shadow looms closer, represented by the arrival of a letter that Pamela discovers later. This letter reveals that Herbert previously had another marriage, throwing their bond and Pamela's understanding of her identity into chaos. The opening chapters set the stage for a turbulent emotional journey, as Pamela must navigate the painful truth of her husband's past and the implications it poses for their future.
Recently surfaced classics