The Spider and the Fly: Or, an Undesired Love

A novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows the intricate lives of two main characters, Captain Howard Murpoint and Mr. Jem, who are convicts attempting to escape from a notorious prison. In this tale of deception and longing, the central theme revolves around the desires and struggles of individuals constrained by their past actions and societal expectations. At the start of the story, the setting is established at sunset near a grim convict station on the rocky shore, where a weary and sullen group of convicts toils under the watchful eyes of warders. The narrative then introduces the plan of Captain Murpoint as he communicates with Jem, hinting at a daring escape under the cover of night. The tension builds as they prepare for their audacious bid for freedom, driven by desperation and the hope of reclaiming lives lost to their circumstances. Simultaneously, the juxtaposition of Murpoint's longing for the life and wealth of John Mildmay’s daughter, Violet, begins to surface, hinting at deeper emotional entanglements in the tale yet to unfold.