The Woman in White was first published as a series in All the Year Round and Harper's Magazine beginning in late 1859. The serial form further heightened the novel's tension and suspense. The book is often considered one of the first mystery novels. It was also an early sensation novel, a hugely popular genre in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. Sensation novels generally involve a secret, especially one regarding anything deemed inappropriate by society's moral standards, such as adultery, bigamy, or illegitimacy.
The Woman in White was incredibly popular when first published, driving up sales of the magazines and selling well as a three-volume book as well. Over time, the novel...
