Written back in the 1860's, I'm sure this was shocking stuff; bigamy, murder, etc, etc. Sadly, today, the social foundations that made this story shocking no longer exist and so the story descends into a mere murder mystery. I feel so jaded on society's behalf.
However, the thing that overshadowed everything, and kind of ruined it for me, was Robert, the nephew. He was supposed to be this complete lay-a-about, the bachelor of rich lazy bachelors, the epitome of smoking a pipe and doing nothing. And HE is the one to get all up in arms and investigate the disappearance of his friend? It just didn't track.
However, the thing that overshadowed everything, and kind of ruined it for me, was Robert, the nephew. He was supposed to be this complete lay-a-about, the bachelor of rich lazy bachelors, the epitome of smoking a pipe and doing nothing. And HE is the one to get all up in arms and investigate the disappearance of his friend? It just didn't track.
