The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins, Fiction, Classics, Mystery & Detective

The intriguing parentage of Rosamund Treverton drives the narrative, revealing her true identity as the illegitimate child of a servant, rather than the daughter of a wealthy actress. The secret, documented by Sarah Leeson, unfolds against the backdrop of Porthgenna Tower. The author reflects on the success of this sustained work of fiction, highlighting the complex characters of Rosamund and Uncle Joseph, while expressing a particular fondness for the nuanced portrayal of Sarah, whose timid nature is shaped by her heavy responsibilities.