The author of How to Be Good and High Fidelity contributes an
introduction to this classic--a sophisticated mystery, a love story, and
a tale of the corruptive power of wealth John Harmon returns to
England after years in exile to claim his inheritance: a great fortune
and a beautiful young woman to whom he is betrothed, but has never met.
When Harmon's body is pulled out of the Thames, all of London is
fascinated by the mystery of the murdered man and his unclaimed riches.
Scavengers, social-climbers, lawyers, teachers, a money-lender, a
dolls-dressmaker, and men and women both honest and villainous will all
become embroiled in this tale of love and obsession, death and rebirth.