On the very day Leilah Ogsten marries Gulian Verplank, her world is shattered by a letter from her father. Mere hours after their wedding, she vanishes without a trace. Desperate to find her, Gulian embarks on a frantic journey across the globe—in the wrong direction. When he finally discovers her whereabouts, he’s shocked to learn she’s engaged to a Polish count. Determined to uncover the truth, Gulian rushes to Paris, only to find the marriage has already taken place.

The Monster offers all the signature elements of an Edgar Saltus novel: high society, decadence, and a deeply pessimistic view of humanity, but this time with a touch of eastern mysticism.