A search on Beatrice Rappaccini brought this novel to my attention. It checked all the boxes of something I look for in a horror fantasy: collection of distinctive characters, strong women, and monsters. The fact that some of the monsters were strong women made me want to buy it immediately. Instead, I waited for the spooky season.
Theodora Goss’ novel brings together both Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde’s daughters; Hawthorne’s Beatrice Rappaccini, a girl who emits poison; a Wellsian Dr. Moreau creation, and one more character who I won’t reveal. Throw in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, a prostitute-killing Jack-the-Ripper type, a secret society, and you have The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter.
The alchemist’s daughter is Mary Jekyll who is the novel’s protagonist. Though the book’s faux author is a different character in the novel, most of the point-of-view is from Mary. Mary’s dead mother has left behind a mysterious amount of money allocated to one “Hyde” at the Magdalene House. Mary hires Sherlock, hoping Hyde is the infamous Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde was her father’s associate, a man suspected of murder. Mary’s goal is to capture Hyde and collect the reward money. And this is where the novel takes its first “strange” turn.
Ms. Goss takes a popular theme in this time period—humankind messing around with biology—and uses it as a foundation to create a world of monsters. The general populace is unaware that “good” monsters are among them. Most of the plot describes how Mary discovers and gathers together the cavalcade of creatures that eventually becomes the Athena Club. This is all done in the context of investigating the murderer of four women in turn-of-the-century London. The ideas, settings, and characters are all well done. Most authentically callback to their literary origins, which is why the novel is so much fun.
Mary acts accordingly like Henry Jekyll. She’s a straight-laced den mother type. She takes on the mantle of responsibility. Mary is accompanied by a loyal housemaid and later, another servant. Dr. Watson is his usual stolid self. The rest of the Athena Club also act appropriately, including the one character I won’t mention (my personal favorite). Even minor characters from other novels seem to step out of their stories. Only slightly off was Holmes. He seemed a kinder Holmes than I remember, and the idea that he might be attracted to Mary never quite gelled.
One note on the writing that I’ve read in the reviews. A gimmick in the book inserts commentary asides that either engage or enrage readers—there seems to be no middle ground. At first, it’s hard to follow as you’re not sure of the identity of these narrative interlopers. As the novel progresses, the reader starts to learn who everyone is. I enjoyed the interruptions and thought the device was quite clever.
The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter has fantasy, mystery, humor, and horror. An enjoyable romp of a read that gripped my attention while I read it.