**A nineteenth-century novel about a bisexual, biracial vampire, written by a forgotten legend of Victorian horrorA Penguin Classic**Published the same year as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Florence Marryat’s The Blood of the Vampire introduced readers to one of the most revolutionary protagonists of her time: the biracial, bisexual, feminist psychic vampire Harriet Brandt. Feeding off life force rather than blood, Harriet is a charming, caring young woman in sea...

This novel is a Gothic melodrama that delves into the life of a young woman named Harriet Brandt who is believed to be a vampire due to her unique qualities and her ability to drain energy from those around her. The story explores the societal prejudices and mistreatment faced by Harriet due to these perceptions. It's a tale that blends elements of Gothic horror with social commentary, addressing themes of otherness, societal judgment, and the struggle for acceptance.Florence Marryat was r...

In The Strange Transfiguration of Hannah Stubbs, Florence Marryat fuses sensation fiction, spiritualist speculation, and late-Victorian social critique into a curious and provocative narrative of identity transformed. The novel centers on a humble servant whose sudden alteration of mind and manner raises questions about class, consciousness, and the porous boundary between body and soul. Marryat's style is brisk, theatrical, and unabashedly melodramatic, yet beneath its popular surface lie...

It was the magic hour of dining. The long Digue of Heyst was almost deserted; so was the strip of loose, yellow sand which skirted its base, and all the tables d’hôtes were filling fast. Henri, the youngest waiter of the Hôtel Lion d’Or, was standing on the steps between the two great gilded lions, which stood rampant on either side the portals, vigorously ringing a loud and discordant bell to summons the stragglers, whilst the ladies, who were waiting the commencement of dinner in the lit...

‘Once for all,’ exclaimed Mr Crampton, bringing down his broad fist heavily upon the table, ‘once for all, I tell you, I will not have it.’ At this terrible assertion, Mrs Crampton shivered as if she had been struck, and Aunt Clem silently dissolved into tears. Henry Hindes, of all the party, alone preserved his composure. He leaned back in his chair, carefully trimming his filbert nails with a penknife, as if the affair under discussion were not of the slightest moment. ‘Of course you wil...

"The Hampstead Mystery," it revolves around a mysterious and suspenseful narrative set in the area of Hampstead in London. The novel likely involves a complex web of intrigue, secrets, and unexpected twists as characters become entangled in a gripping mystery.Given the time of its publication, "The Hampstead Mystery" may also reflect the social and cultural context of Victorian England. The novel may explore themes such as class divisions, morality, and the role of women in society, alongs...

In "The Hampstead Mystery," Florence Marryat likely tells a suspenseful story revolving around a mysterious event or crime that occurs in the Hampstead area of London. The title suggests that the novel is part of a trilogy, with this volume being the second installment. The narrative may involve a series of twists and turns as the characters work to unravel the mystery and uncover the truth behind the Hampstead incident.Marryat's writing is known for its intricate plots, vivid characteriza...

“Peter Simple" is a naval novel that follows the adventures of the protagonist, Peter Simple, as he rises through the ranks of the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel provides a humorous and realistic portrayal of life at sea during this period, capturing the camaraderie among sailors, naval battles, and the challenges faced by those in the service."The Three Cutters" is another maritime novel by Captain Marryat. The story centers around three revenue cutters—fast-sail...

The story of "Percival Keene" follows the adventures of the titular character, Percival Keene, a young man who sets out to make his fortune and find his place in the world. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars and explores themes of class, society, and personal growth.As Percival navigates through various challenges and experiences, readers are taken on a journey filled with intrigue, romance, and danger. The novel likely features vivid descriptions of life at sea, ...

A midshipman's career in the Napoleonic navy - the prizes, the floggings, the fever and a captain worth following. Marryat had done all of it as a boy under Cochrane, and this first novel invented the sea story as the English know it. This edition adds fifty-five plates of marine painting, among them Turner, Munch and Thomas Luny, alongside four illustrations restored and coloured.

The August sun had just sunk below the horizon, as Jack Blythe, a passenger by the down train from London to Portsmouth, walked leisurely home to a little cottage situated on Southsea Common. He was a tall, well-built young fellow of five-and-twenty, with a remarkably graceful figure. His hair was pale brown, with the faintest tinge of gold upon it; his eyes were grey and languid in their expression—his general appearance somewhat delicate. And yet Jack Blythe (who had been christened Vern...

It is the middle of July, but the London season has not, as yet, shown any symptoms of being on the wane, and the drawing-room of the Honourable Mrs Carnaby-Hicks is arranged for the reception of visitors. Curtains of guipure lace, looped with pale-blue ribbons, shroud every window, purple irises and yellow jonquils as displayed in art needlework, adorn each chair and sofa; fanciful little tables of silk and velvet, laden with Sevres and Dresden china are placed in everybody’s way, and a p...