Swedish Mysteries tells the story of young Gustavus Ericson, who, after his father is murdered and his mother and sister imprisoned by the tyrant King Christian, leads a revolution against Christian's oppression. Against this historical backdrop, Anna Maria Mackenzie weaves a Gothic tale of intrigue, treachery, and murder, complete with all the trappings of the Gothic novel: secret tribunals, ruined monasteries, and orphans of unknown parentage.
One of the prolific Mackenzie's most thrilling tales, Swedish Mysteries has remained out of print and forgotten since its initial publication in 1801. This new edition includes the unabridged text of the three volume first edition, a reproduction of the first edition's title page, along with a new introduction and explanatory notes by Janina Nordius. In her introduction, Professor Nordius discusses the historical background of the novel and addresses its importance within a body of 18th and 19th century English literature dealing with Gustavus Ericson.