One morning, I'd stopped in at a used bookstore that I frequent and came across this, Louisa May Alcott's A Long Fatal Love Chase. Now this sounded vastly different than her wholesome [book: Little Women] et. al.

Upon perusal, I read that this book was considered "too sensational" for the times it was written in and wasn't permitted to be published! Louisa May Alcott! Who knew you had this in you?! Needless to say, I purchased this then and there.


Roseamond Vivian, a 17-year-old girl, has been brought up by her recluse uncle in a house near the cliffs on an island off the coast of England. Her uncle cares not for the girl and she has an isolated life, being basically a neglected prisoner. She knows only of the outside world what she's read in books.

Then, one afternoon her uncle has a visitor. Enter Phillip Tempest, a handsome and charming stranger, who arrives on his yacht and regales Roseamond with stories of his exciting life. Roseamond is immediately in love with Tempest and though he is twice her age, he is intrigued by this guileless girl kept in the foreboding home along the cliffs.

Roseamond aches for the freedom, travel, love, and excitement that Phillip can provide. After she marries him, she learns of his deceit and how he has tricked her and is fully aware of the trap he's snared her in. She decides to run away from this dangerous man only to be hunted by him across the continent - for no one gets the best of him, and Roseamond is his obsession.


Written in 1886 but not published for over a century, it's a Victorian thriller. A Long Fatal Love Chase has the gothic darkness and twists in the plot reminiscent of [book: Wuthering Heights], a truly Victorian heroine, and a shocking ending.

I'm still surprised that this (THIS!) is [author: Louisa May Alcott]!