The Firing Line

The Firing Line by Robert W. Chambers is a romance novel set against the backdrop of high society in New York and the subtropical setting of Florida. The story follows the complex relationships between its main characters-particularly the wealthy heroine, Sylvia Landis, and the men who pursue her. Blending themes of love, jealousy, and social expectations, Chambers explores the emotional and societal pressures faced by individuals in their pursuit of happiness. While primarily known for his earlier weird fiction, this novel reflects Chambers' later shift toward writing more mainstream romances.

Robert William Chambers was an American artist and writer who was born May 26, 1865, and died December 16, 1933. He is best known for his 1895 collection of short stories called The King in Yellow. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Chambers was the son of William P. Chambers (1827-1911), a business and bankruptcy lawyer, and Caroline Smith Boughton. When his mom was twelve, William P. was an intern with her famous business lawyer father, Joseph Boughton. This is how his parents met. In the end, they joined forces to start the law firm of Chambers and Boughton. It did well even after Joseph's death in 1861. The great-grandfather of Robert Chambers was a sailor in the British Royal Navy named William Chambers. He married Amelia Saunders (1765-1822), who was the great-granddaughter of Tobias Saunders of Westerly, Rhode Island. First, they moved from Westerly to Greenfield, Massachusetts. Then they moved to Galway, New York, where they had their son, also named William Chambers (1798-1874). The second William finished from Union College when he was 18. He then went to a college in Boston to study medicine.