Lady Audley’s Secret

Lady Audley’s Secret, published in 1862, is a sensation novel that captivated Victorian readers with its suspenseful plot and scandalous themes. The story centers on the beautiful and mysterious Lady Audley, whose dark past and possible involvement in a man’s disappearance slowly unravel. Braddon explores themes of identity, madness, and female autonomy in a society that limits women’s roles. Combining Gothic tropes with domestic drama, the novel remains a gripping and influential work of early feminist crime fiction.