Mirk Abbey, Volume 1 (of 3)

"Mirk Abbey, Volume 1 (of 3)" by James Payn is a historical fiction set in the 1800s that explores themes of grief, family bonds, and social status through the eyes of Lady Lisgard, a widow residing at Mirk Abbey. The story begins on a snowy Christmas Eve, where Lady Lisgard reflects on her late husband, Sir Robert, and the varying relationships she shares with her three children: Sir Richard, Walter, and Letty; the arrival of a mysterious stranger, Mr. Derrick, threatens to unsettle the family's delicate balance, hinting at potential conflicts and changes within the Abbey's household and setting the stage for an exploration of the Lisgard family's personal and socio-economic lives.