
Bertha Clay Library No. 153
A TRAGEDY OF LOVE AND HATE.
CHAPTER I. THE TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER II. WHO KILLED LADY CLARICE?
CHAPTER III. AN OPEN VERDICT.
CHAPTER IV. KENELM EYRLE.
CHAPTER V. WHICH LOVED HER BEST?
CHAPTER VI. KENELM EYRLE’S VOW.
CHAPTER VII. THE RIVAL BEAUTIES.
CHAPTER VIII. HOW THE TRAGEDY BEGAN.
In the sun‑drenched Holme Woods a tranquil summer day turns eerie when a quiet river reflects a tragic sight: the lifeless body of a fair‑haired woman tangled among lilies. The opening scene blends lush, idyllic nature with an unsettling discovery, setting a tone that is both beautiful and foreboding. As the gentle rustle of leaves gives way to whispered rumors, the community is thrust into the mystery of who could have caused such a loss in broad daylight.
The narrative follows a cast of aristocratic figures—Kenelm Eyrle, Sir Ronald, and several rival beauties—each bound by vows, secrets, and conflicting loyalties. Their intertwining relationships spark a fierce clash of love and hate, while clues surface in whispered accusations and hidden motives. Listeners are invited to follow the early investigation, feeling the tension build as the truth remains just out of reach.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (419K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: Street & Smith, 1899, copyright 1900, copyright 1903.
Credits
Demian Katz, Krista Zaleski and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University.)
Release date
2023-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1922
Best known for sweeping Victorian romance and family drama, this byline carried a huge popular following on both sides of the Atlantic. The name "Bertha M. Clay" was most famously linked to English novelist Charlotte M. Brame, though it was also later used as a house name by other writers.
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