Alice Wilde (eBook)

Metta Victoria Fuller Victor (1831-1885), an American author, was a pioneering figure in the development of detective fiction and the dime novel genre. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, she assumed the mantle of a professional writer early in life, a career move both audacious and unusual for a woman of her era. Victor wrote under various pseudonyms, the most notable being 'Seeley Regester,' under which she published one of her most acclaimed works, 'The Dead Letter.' Her literary style often involved intricate plots and suspenseful storytelling, a precursor to the modern mystery novel. One of her titles, 'Alice Wilde: The Raftsman's Daughter,' exemplifies her ability to blend elements of romance with adventure, a frequent hallmark of her storytelling approach. This novel, like many of her works, reveals an adeptness for character development and a deep understanding of the human psyche. Victor's versatility in writing across different genres and her productivity, with over 100 novels to her credit, mark her as a significant, though often overlooked, literary figure of the 19th century. Her work not only entertained a broad readership but also expanded the boundaries for female authors in the American literary landscape.