Dickens"s final novel, left unfinished at his death in 1870, is a mystery story much influenced by the‘Sensation Novel" as written by his friend Wilkie Collins. The action takes place in an ancientcathedral city and in some of the darkest places in Victorian London. Drugs, disappearances, sexual obsession, disguise and a possible murder are among the themes and motifs.

Dickens"s final novel, left unfinished at his death in 1870, is a mystery story much influenced by the‘Sensation Novel" as written by his friend Wilkie Collins. The action takes place in an ancientcathedral city and in some of the darkest places in Victorian London. Drugs, disappearances, sexual obsession, disguise and a possible murder are among the themes and motifs.

A sombre and menacing atmosphere, a fascinating range of characters and Dickens"s usual superb command of language combine to make this an exciting and tantalising story.

Also included in this volume are a number of uniustly neglected stories and sketches, with subiects as different as murder and guilt and childhood romance. This unusual selection illustrates Dickens"s immense creativity and versatility.

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

1 The Dawn

2 A Dean and a ChapterAlso

3 The Nun's House

4 Mr Sapsea

5 Mr Durdles and Friend

6 Philanthropy in Minor Canon Corner

7 More Confidences than One

8 Daggers Drawn

9 Birds in the Bush

10 Smoothing the Way

11 A Picture and a Ring

12 A Night with Durdles

13 Both at Their Best

14 When Shall These Three Meet Again?

15 Impeached

I6 Devoted

17  Philanthropy, Professional and Unprofessional

18 A Settler in Cloisterham

19 Shadow on the Sundial

20 A Flight

21 A Recognition

22 A Gritty State of Things Comes On

23 The Dawn Again

MASTER HUMPHREY'S CLOCK

1 Master Humphrey, from his Clockside in the

Chimney-Corner

2 Master Humphrey, from his Clockside in the

Chimney-Corner

3 Master Humphrey's Visitor

4 The Clock

5 Mr Weller's Watch

6 Master Humphrey, from his Clockside in the

Chimney-Corner

HUNTED DOWN

page 351

HOLIDAY ROMANCE

ONE Introductory Romance from the Pen of

William Tinkling Esq - Aged Eight

TWO Romance from the Pen of

Miss Alice Rainbird - Aged Seven

THREE Romance from the Pen of

Lieutenant-Colond Robin Redforth - Aged Nine

FOVR Romance from the Pen of

Miss Nettle Ashford - Aged Half-Past Six

GEORGE SILVERMAN'S EXPLANATION

page 409

NOTES

Notes to The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Notes to Master Humphrey's Clock

Notes to Hunted Down

Notes to Holiday Romance

Notes to George Silverman's Explanation