The Man with a Shadow

** "The Man with a Shadow" by George Manville Fenn is a tale set in the late 1800s that plunges into the lives of the Salis family, mainly focusing on Leo Salis and her connections with those around her, like her brother, Hartley, Dally Watlock, who works at the Rectory, and Tom Candlish, a young man she has a difficult relationship with. Familial duties, romantic relationships, and the rules of society are hinted at as themes in the book. The story opens as Dally Watlock is in trouble because Tom Candlish kissed her, which makes Leo Salis suspicious. Leo, irritated by what happened and her brother trying to protect her, shows she is ready to face Candlish to talk about what he did. Set in a peaceful country area, brother Hartley tries to keep things proper at home while coping with the expectations of their family and the problems that come with their social standing. These opening chapters paint a picture of conflict, jealousy, and personal battles, setting the scene for what's to come. **