Birds of Prey

"Birds of Prey" by M. E. Braddon is a story that examines the complexities of relationships, moral questions, and observations about society. The story centers on Philip Sheldon, a surgeon-dentist who moved from a small town to London, and is now struggling with both his business and past heartbreaks. The story explores ideas about fitting in, social class, wanting to get ahead, and the hidden tensions in how people relate to each other, all set against the rules of society at the time, leading to complicated interactions between the characters. As the book begins, we see Mr. Sheldon's carefully kept house which contrasts with the trouble in his life. We find out about his past feelings for Georgina Cradock, now married to his friend Tom Halliday. When Sheldon sees them in London, his old feelings come back, mixing memories with his current unhappiness. The start of the book looks into Mr. Halliday's strange sickness, and through talks with his brother George and the housekeeper Nancy a feeling of coming trouble begins to affect the characters' ordinary lives, pulling the reader into their complicated world.