R.S. Maxwell

A 21st Century author obssesed with the 20th Century

am not young

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am old, but I am certainly not young. I blunder forward.

Write, write, write.

One novel done, 20,000 copies sold, many more novels complete on paper, still more clanging around in my brain - and hopefully eventually…eventually (Oh my stars) my next manuscript is given that elusive green light. Opus number two. But for now, THROUGH A DARKENING GLASS is all I have. It is a novel with many nods to Jane Eyre. There is a crass (but I think generally succcessful) attempt at an A.S. Byatt-esque intellectual-banter-slow-burn romance. My writing reveals a Canadian obsessesed with their English relatives (full disclosure, despite endless edits by an absolute army of proofers, we still let a few North Americanisms slip into this very English story - I am still haunted by my mismatch of bangs and fringe and deeply scarred by an errant mention of pants slipping through all our defenses). Nevertheless, I am proud of this work. I present you with ghosts, lime kilns, dud bombs, massive moths, rationing books, hidden Smiths lyrics, an homage to George Eliot’s Mill on the Floss, Dante’s Inferno and probably far too much information about Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss, but there it is.

To find out more about what is forthcoming from me (as per the the whims of the publishing industry) have a look at my s cribbles and thoughts.

Through a Darkening Glass

by R.S. Maxwell

England, 1940. Literature student Ruth Gladstone evacuates Cambridge University for Martynsborough, a tiny English village with a shadowy history. For Ruth, retreating to a forgotten corner of the country is more than a safety maneuver; it’s an opportunity to end an undesirable engagement and begin writing her first novel.

But upon her arrival, Ruth learns of a ghostly wraith haunting the villagers after decades of silence. Although Ruth is enthralled by the legend, the locals are less charmed by the wraith’s return. They blame the evacuees—and among them, Ruth—for stirring up restless spirits. Undeterred, Ruth joins forces with Malcolm, an injured soldier, to unravel the mystery of the wraith. As Ruth and Malcolm draw closer to the truth, they’ll unearth long-buried secrets that could threaten them both . . . even as they craft a forbidden love story of their own. (Author note: I did not write this blurb - it was penned by a professional blurber employed by the publisher)

Buy at Barnes and Noble

ON SALE JANUARY 1, 2023

“This intriguing historical with mystery, romance, and gothic overtones will keep readers thoroughly engaged while putting a surprising spin on the English village story.”

— Booklist

“Maxwell’s debut novel is definitely not your traditional ‘murder in a quaint village’ historical mystery.”

— Library Journal

~ Instant Amazon # 1 Best Seller and Kindle Global Top 50 Ranker ~

“A deftly crafted novel…World War II era themed literary fiction at its best…especially and unreservedly recommended.”

— Midwest Book Review

About R.S. Maxwell

Having earned an arts degree from York University many moons ago, R. S. Maxwell continues to read and study voraciously across multiple subjects that include cookery, gardening, English literature, music, art, and art history. Maxwell, who resides in Toronto, can typically be found working on another novel.

For rights or other business inquiries, please contact April Eberhardt Literary: april@aprileberhardt.com