This was a very intriguing historical mystery. It was very fast-paced and filled with many secrets waiting to be discovered. I particularly liked learning more about Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. They seemed very complex and realistic. I also loved the setting and thought it was well-written! This is a great book for those who loved gothic writers and romantic poets!

Claire's Last Secret is the first book in a trilogy that unrolls a mystery involving Claire's long lost daughter, Allegra. Claire Clairmont, Mary Shelley's half sister usually doesn't get much recognition when the creative group that spent the 'haunted summer' in Geneva is mentioned. It's little wonder actually, given that she was the only member of the party that didn't turn her experiences of that summer into a literary success.

However, in her novel Marty Ambrose wants to show us that despite the fact that she didn't produce anything lasting from a literary point of view, Claire was still as important part of the circle as any other member. According to the author she deserves to be remembered in a favourable light, as someone who inspired Byron and the Shelleys with her love and friendship.

I'll confess it was hard for me to think with the writer's head in the beginning, because I had my own picture of Claire, which wasn't exactly flattering. I've read several biographies of the Shelleys, and Claire has always come across as a pushy, somewhat annoying individual, who always wanted to be the centre of attention. It is rumoured she had an affair with Shelley as well, and if it's true, it was an awful betrayal towards Mary.

In Claire's Last Secret we meet a very different Claire though. In the book she is an old lady who remembers her youth and sees her youthful foolishness in a very reasonable light. She doesn't regret anything and she wouldn't change anything in her past. She accepts herself as she is; someone who is chiefly driven by her emotions. I think it's a pretty romantic notion that the heart leads a person's actions, not the head and this simple twist on the character of Claire made her foolish decisions a lot more acceptable for me.

The book is written in a lovely manner, it was a joy to read. It's always great to revisit the events in The Villa Diodati during 'the year without summer', but it's even better if the writing is exquisite. To take a boat trip with Byron and Shelley, to be there when Mary Shelley reads from Frankenstein for the first time.... ahh to be there...

If you like the second generation of romantics, or know nothing of them, either way, this can be a fun read. I'll definitely pick up the second book.

This is an historical fiction based on the life of Claire Clairmont and follows two different timelines, the first being 1873 Florence where Claire is struggling with whether she should sell her memorabilia in order to support her and her niece. The second is the Summer of 1816 that Claire spent in Geneva with Lord Byron, Mary and Percy Shelley. This was a really interesting story and as a massive fan of Frankenstein I loved learning more about Byron/Shelly circle and the summer that led to Mary writing the novel. I enjoyed the way that both timelines were woven together and I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

An interesting concept reasonably well executed. I found Claire to fairly likeable; Byron and Shelley a good deal less so. But it was the ending of the book that really lost me. While I realize that this is the first of a trilogy, the cliffhanger ending was so abrupt it felt like slamming into a wall. I’m not sure my interest in the story is strong enough to survive the wait for book two.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for a review.

The book sounded really promising, but I didn't really enjoy it that much. I am not a huge fan of Byron and Shelley, but I do admire Mary. However, the story didn't quite keep my interest and at times it got boring...and some parts were quite unnecessary.

I began reading this with such high hopes, I am a huge fan of Shelley, Byron etc and Claire is a central and oft misunderstood part of their story. Sadly I couldn’t get into this, the duels points of view were in my opinion unnecessary and I didn’t buy the mystery element of the story. It all seemed very rushed and modern in the way the story was told. I thought the characterisation was weak and there weren’t any characters I really found myself caring about. There are some stronger passages however and the beginning was very promising.
Sadly this one just wasn’t for me.
I was given a ARC by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Anytime Lord Byron or Mary Shelley mentioned it is a given I Will be reading . . This is a mystery with the central Claire Claremont ,Mary Shelley’s stepsister. She is last survivor of haunted summer where Shelley wrote her infamous Frankenstein .. Living out her days in poverty with her niece she is approached to sell her letters from the famous poet . When she receives a note about her daughter she conceived With Byron it sets events in motion . Told in alternate timelines this is riveting story .