Clifford Browder

Panther Lady Clifford Browder

The famous French actress Mathilde Mesnard comes to New York City in 1880 to tour America by rail. Critics describe her in various roles as a prowling panther, sensual, alternating with an angel.




Narrating the story of her triumphant visit is her guide and lover, the young New York reporter Rob Peterson, who must cope with her moods and caprices. Rob's newspaper articles make her a "hot" news item and advance his career in the process. But even he may not be able to dig out the truth behind Mathilde's imperious, demanding and brazenly self-confident persona.




Mathilde keeps company with a monkey, chameleons, a cheetah, and even a skeleton in her bedroom, and tells wild tales of her visit to the West. When a rival French actress competes with her for the public's favor, Mathilde vows to "squelch the slut," and mayhem results.




Will Rob ever really know this marvelous but baffling woman? Culminating in tragedy and farce, wisdom and renunciation, this period drama will delight fans of historical fiction.
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