Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) is credited with shaping and popularizing the gothic novel. A prolific author, Radcliffe's second novel was greeted with wide praise. "A Sicilian Romance" (1790) takes place on the shore of north Sicily, where the aristocratic house of Mazzini is in turmoil. Julia and Emilia Mazzini reside in a labyrinthine castle bustling with supernatural activity. The quest to discover the source of these troubling haunts reveals a dark past. Weaving terror and romance, Radcliffe creates a vivid tale of family secrets and exotic intrigue. A master of the genre, Radcliffe would go on to pen many novels that would secure her influence in the Gothic and Romantic movements. Her work defines the literary trends of her era and remains enthralling to readers around the globe.