Gripping novels often create suspense by making the stakes very high lifeordeath struggles violence or destruction on a global scale. _<strong>The Channings</st... » 

Gripping novels often create suspense by making the stakes very high lifeordeath struggles violence or destruction on a global scale. _The Channings_generates similar tension from much smaller stakes someone has spilled ink ona choirboys gown 20 pounds are missing and a young man burns a candle in hisroom half the night for reasons he refuses to reveal. In the English cathedraltown of Helstonleigh such enigmas loom large and Mrs. Henry Wood shows howsuch seemingly small mysteries can change the fates of entire families andhow the suspense of such mysteries can keep the reader turning the pages. _TheChannings_ follows the fortunes of one Helstonleigh family the Channings astheir doings are intertwined with those of other townsfolk and of the boys atthe local cathedral school. Such communities with their successes jealousiesdisappointments secrets romances sacrifices and rogues were Woods forte... «