The Mark of Cain

"The Mark of Cain" by Andrew Lang is a novel set in late 19th-century London that explores themes of social duty and tangled relationships, tinged with mystery. The tale opens with Maitland, a tavern owner, experiencing alienation as he hosts a dinner party for a diverse group of guests, including the enigmatic Cranley, who possesses a cloudy history. The conversations during the dinner party imply concealed pasts, hinting at moral conflicts and hidden secrets. A dramatic event occurs when it's revealed that Dicky Shields, someone Maitland once knew, has been found dead, launching the story into a state of uncertainty. Class differences and societal expectations are at the forefront, creating a complex story with a deeper look at motives and their consequences.