When her father commits suicide, Helena Elmsdale and her aunt, Miss Blake, are left to live off the earnings from River Hall, Helena's childhood home. They are the unprofitable clients that bring an uninhabited house into the hands of lawyer, Mr Craven. Craven's clerk, Patterson, takes on the challenge of solving the mystery of River Hall in an attempt at winning Helena's love, despite her higher social standing. In his short residence, Patterson unravels the secrets of the house - at the cost of a life.
This special edition celebrates Charlotte Riddells' life and work. It includes an author biography and the first chapter of one of her most popular novels, Mortomley's Estate.