Master of the Greylands

Set in a unique and isolated community, The Master of the Greylands: A Novel follows a small, private village by the sea and its occupants. Owned by the Castlemaine family, the community is old and quirky, with haunted ruins and gothic aesthetic. Despite the seemingly dreary atmosphere, the people of the Greylands are content and comfortable, until Peter Castlemaine, a leading member of the Greylands’ social scene, makes a grave financial mistake due to his own flaws. Stuck in an undesirable position, Peter realizes that his error could potentially harm the whole town. Hoping to keep his situation a secret for as long as possible, Peter confers with his closest friends, trying to find ways to delay the inevitable. Though it never received the same amount of attention of her other novels, The Master of the Greylands: A Novel by Mrs. Henry Wood is among the prolific author’s few gothic works. Featuring a clever and compelling novel set in a unique setting with life-like characters, The Master of the Greylands: A Novel captivates its audience, engrossing them in the story of a man’s foolish mistake. Embellished with an intricate amount of detail, Wood describes the community of the Greylands with vivid prose and explores the characters of the Greylands with great care. First published in 1872, The Master of the Greylands: A Novel remains to memorize readers with the spirit of the obscure setting and characters. This edition of The Master of the Greylands: A Novel by Mrs. Henry Wood now features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of The Master of the Greylands: A Novel creates an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery and drama of Mrs. Henry Wood’s work.

Ellen Price (1814-1887) was an English novelist and translator, better known by her penname, Mrs. Henry Wood. Wood lived with her husband, Henry Wood, and four children in Southern France for twenty years, until moving back to England when Henry’s business failed. In England, Wood supported her family with her writing, becoming an international bestseller. Wood was praised for her masterful storytelling of middle-class lives, and often advocated for faith and strong morals in her work. Wood’s most celebrated work was East Lynne, a sensation novel popular for its elaborate plot. In 1867, Wood became the owner and editor of Argosy Magazine, which she continued to publish until her death in 1887. By the end of her career, Wood published over thirty novels, many of which were immensely popular in England, the United States, and in Australia.