The Coward Behind the Curtain

"The Coward Behind the Curtain" by Richard Marsh is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with Dorothy Gilbert, a young girl raised in a convent, who is unexpectedly summoned to meet her new guardian, Mr. Emmett, after her father's death. What follows is a dark tale of manipulation and fear, as Dorothy becomes entangled with Emmett, a boorish man who embodies everything she has been taught to distrust. At the start of the novel, Dorothy is introduced while enjoying the tranquil life of the convent, a stark contrast to the unsettling encounter with Emmett. Upon his arrival, Dorothy’s initial excitement quickly turns to apprehension as Mr. Emmett’s rudeness and brutish demeanor become clear. Throughout the opening chapters, Dorothy grapples with her feelings of terror and confusion, setting up a narrative filled with tension and suspense as she realizes that her new protector may not have her best interests at heart. The reader is drawn into a world of both physical and emotional entrapment, hinting at a thrilling and dark journey ahead. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Marsh was the pseudonym of the English author born Richard Bernard Heldmann. A best-selling and prolific author of the late 19th century and the Edwardian period, Marsh is best known now for his supernatural thriller novel The Beetle, which was published the same year as Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897), and was initially even more popular, outselling Dracula six times over. The Beetle remained in print until 1960. Marsh produced nearly 80 volumes of fiction and numerous short stories, in genres including horror, crime, romance and humour. Many of these have been republished recently, beginning with The Beetle in 2004. Marsh's grandson Robert Aickman was a notable writer of short "strange stories".