William Harrison Ainsworth
Rookwood
"Rookwood" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a novel published in 1834. A gothic romance set in 1737 England, it follows a deadly dispute over the Rookwood family inheritance. When the manor's owner dies, mysterious revelations about hidden heirs emerge. Dark schemes unfold as rival claimants battle for the estate, involving forbidden love, family secrets, and the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin. Prophecies, betrayal, and revenge drive the characters toward a dramatic reckoning within the cursed family tomb.