The Quincunx by Charles Palliser

The Inheritance of John Huffam

Set in 19th-century England, the novel follows the life of John Huffam, a young boy who becomes embroiled in a complex web of family secrets, inheritance disputes, and social intrigue. As John and his mother struggle to claim their rightful inheritance, they encounter a host of characters, each with their own hidden motives and connections to the mysterious quincunx pattern that underlies the family's history. The story is a richly detailed exploration of Victorian society, filled with twists and turns that reveal the dark underbelly of ambition and betrayal.