Mary Elizabeth Braddon 
Lady Audley’s Secret 

This complex tale is the most successful novel written by Elizabeth Braddon, and aside from being considered one of the most bestselling Victorian novels, it is also ‘the most sensationally successful of all the sensation novels’ — as described by critic John Sutherland.

It tells the story of the lovely Lucy Graham, who becomes Lady Audley at the beginning of the novel, and who conceals a scandalous secret from her new husband and his family. The plot, which includes madness, bigamy, attempted murder, and seduction, made this a shocking but highly successful story for audiences. It is one of the best examples of sensational fiction, and is a wonderfully absorbing book.