Zastrozzi by Percy Bysshe Shelley

ZASTROZZI is a Gothic novel by Percy Bysshe Shelley, his first published work. Set in Italy, the story follows Zastrozzi, a cruel and evil criminal who kidnaps and torments Verezzi, a wealthy enemy of Zastrozzi. After escaping, Verezzi rescues Matilda, who befriends him and hopes to marry him, but Verezzi is in love with Julia. Zastrozzi spreads a rumor that Julia has died, leading Matilda to become a unwitting partner in crime with the evil Zastrozzi.