A Duel (ePub)

Richard Marsh, born Richard Bernard Heldmann (1857 - 1915), was a prolific British author, best known for his supernatural and horror fiction. He achieved widespread popularity with the publication of his gothic novel 'The Beetle' (1897), which outsold Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' in its day. Marsh's literary career was diverse, spanning several genres, including horror, mystery, and romance, marked by a flair for suspense and the uncanny. His narrative style often delved into the depths of human psychology, intertwining everyday life with the bizarre and fantastical. 'A Duel' is one of Marsh's intriguing works, showcasing his adeptness at creating compelling and suspenseful plots. Although lesser-known than 'The Beetle', 'A Duel' exemplifies Marsh's thematic diversity and his capacity to maintain a reader's attention from start to finish. Marsh's writing also reflects his era's anxieties, including class, gender, and the supernatural. Despite the initial success, Marsh's works largely fell into obscurity following his death. However, the 21st century has seen a rekindling of interest in his contributions to the genres of horror and mystery, with literary critics acknowledging his role in shaping Victorian popular fiction. Marsh's bibliography includes over 80 volumes of novels and short stories, ensuring his place in the canon of English genre literature.