The Missing Wife (Mary Shelley Investigations)
Donna Gowland’s debut novel is described as ‘A 19th Century Parisian Mystery’ and is the first in a proposed series of Mary Shelley Investigations. As such, it can be enjoyed on two levels: as a caper through Mary’s early life, primarily her elopement with Percy and their early life together in Europe; and as a missing person detective mystery with Mary as investigative sleuth.
And the book works well on both levels. We join Mary’s story in London in 1814 right on the verge of her daring elopement with Percy. Unfortunately, they are joined by Mary’s stepsister, Claire Clairmont (or Jane as she was then known), and thus lie many of the tensions in the unfolding narrative. Desperately short of money, they accept an assignment to find the missing wife of a prominent banker in Paris.
Gowland mixes the two layers skilfully: what we know historically about the Shelleys’ travels in France, Switzerland and Germany, combined with their mission to investigate the mysterious disappearance. There is a good sense of setting, and I liked the way that Gowland captures the repressed atmosphere of 1814 Paris, recreated through the sights and smells, as well as the clothes, food and hairstyles. Descriptions of nature are particularly strong and often beautiful, apt for a novel about a Romantic poet. We also glimpse many of the seeds of inspiration that would germinate into Mary’s Gothic novel, Frankenstein.
I loved the characterisation with Mary as the sensible, rational partner while Percy is her more irrational, often childish, foil. Adding Claire Clairmont to the mix provides an ingredient of insecurity and sexual jealousy.
The mystery itself is well-developed with a climactic and exciting ending. I read it in a couple of days and found it hard to put down! I’m already looking forward to the next instalment in this promising series.
