In the fourth of the Palliser stories, Trollope follows Phineas Finn's return to the dangerous world of Westminster politics after the death of his wife, Mary. His career takes a turn for the worse when his political rival is murdered. With all the circumstantial evidence pointing at Phineas, he is thrown under suspicion...
and eventually finds himself standing trial at the Old Bailey. The situation is complicated by the presence of two women in his life: his old flame Lady Laura, whose estranged husband is determined to destroy Phineas' reputation, and the wealthy and enigmatic widow, Madame Max.
Trollope's ideas of political rivalries, bribery, injunctions, romantic entanglements and a scandal-mongering popular press seem as relevant today as they were in the 1870s.
A story full of drama that echoes our modern day political world. Trollope's work is regarded by some as among the greatest of 19th-century fiction and with his powerful political storytelling it's unsurprising that fans of Trollope's work have included former British Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Sir John Major.
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