Physical description

292p. ; green cover with title and author embossed in black on the front cover and in gold on the spine

Publication type

fiction

Inscriptions & markings

Sticker on front cover (partially removed) "Mullen's Library Melbourne'

Summary

The narrative unfolds around the secrets and intrigues surrounding the murder of a man in Great Porter Square. The main character, Becky, and her ally, a young girl named Fanny, take on the roles of amateur detectives as they gather clues and attempt to unveil the truth behind the murder and its implications for their own lives. The beginning of the novel introduces Becky’s cunning plan involving Fanny, whom she has tasked with spying on Richard Manx, a mysterious lodger in their shared house. As events unfold, Becky learns that Richard is not only elusive but possesses details about past events that deeply concern her. Their interactions reveal a web of deceit associated with Mrs. Lydia Holdfast, a widow tied to the victim, and connections to a hidden will that could dramatically alter familial fortunes.