Forever Past

Set in 1873, Ambrose’s moving third and final Claire Clairmont mystery (after 2020’s A Shadowed Fate) finds Claire—the “almost famous member of the Byron/Shelley quartet,” which included George Gordon, Lord Byron; Percy Bysshe Shelley; and Mary Shelley, Claire’s stepsister—living in Italy in her 70s, still damaged by Byron’s rejection and his cruel refusal to allow her to raise their illegitimate child, Allegra. But Claire has learned that the daughter she thought died of typhus in an Italian convent may have survived. Her search for the truth from those who cared for Allegra is blocked by mysterious opponents, leading to cryptic threats and outbreaks of violence. Claire’s courage and persistence lead to revelations of what motivated key betrayals of her, both long ago and recent. But even more than the atmosphere-rich suspense, the novel’s strength is in its dealing with the question that tormented Claire her whole long life: Was her reckless, passionate pursuit of Lord Byron ultimately worth it? Only a conclusion that’s a bit underwhelming disappoints. Fans of this romantic trilogy will be sorry to see it end. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (May)