The subject matter of this book - Edgar Allan Poe, his child bride and the passionate Fanny Osgood provide great potential for an exciting and fascinating read; however, it just never comes together. There is none of the mystery, darkness, or passion that one would expect in a fictional look of Poe and his wife and supposed lover. The author takes a very detached view of Poe and those around him; I was never really able to "connect" with any of the characters especially the many and confusing editors, magazine publishers, other writers, and business partners of Poe. The book is a good "overview" of the world of publishing in New York during the middle 1800's and Poe's place or lack of place in it. Another strange note: Poe's poem "The Raven" is a focus of the book and seems to be Poe's only real claim to fame during his life time; it is referred to many times. In the back of the book a section entitled "The Poems" contains many of the poems written by Poe, Fanny Osgood, and others in the story. "The Raven", however, is missing. It seems that would have definitely been included. That lack seems to sum up the overall feeling I got from this book -- the peripheral is there, but the core is missing. ( )