Countess Vera; or, The oath of vengeance

by Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller

Reproduction of the Countess Vera by Miller Mrs. Alex. McVeigh

Genres: Fiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 1888

About the author

"Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller" was the pen name for Mittie Frances Clark Point, taken from the name of her second husband. She wrote around 80 "dime novels" from 1881 to 1915 and was one of the best-known authors of her time.

Reviews

[Rhys-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect example of why dime novels were such a popular form of entertainment in their day. Countess Vera is packed with the most unrealistic but thrilling plot elements and twists that the reader knows but the characters don't. A hasty marriage, a failed suicide, a deceived father (titled, of course)--this is just a sampling of what the first few chapters contain.

The writing style is good, and I found Vera to be an at least somewhat likable character, despite the frequent mentions of her extraordinary beauty. I also felt that this book had a few important lessons, meant to be instilled subconsciously into the careless Victorian reader--the inability of wealth to truly satisfy, for one, and the comeuppance received by the evil characters, while the heroine, hero, and their friends live happily ever after.

[Laura Bang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Miller in fine form! I actually liked both the heroine AND the hero (for the most part) and this one had such a great finale!

[ChrisBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for sheer entertainment value. I can see why dime novels were so popular.