Phineas Redux

When Phineas Finn returns from Ireland to the parliamentary fray, his political advancement is complicated by his romantic relations with three powerful women; his very life is at stake when he is accused of murder. The fourth of Trollope's Palliser novels, Phineas Redux is a spellbinding achievement, and the first modern 'media' novel.

Anthony Trollope (1815 – 1882) was an English novelist of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. “Phineas Redux” is the fourth of six novels in another famous series, “The Palliser Novels,” also known as the Parliamentary Novels. After the death of his Irish wife, Phineas Finn returns to London and to the House of Commons.

Phineas Redux is a novel Anthony Trollope, first published in 1873 as a serial in The Graphic. It is the fourth of the "Palliser" series of novels and the sequel to the second book of the series, Phineas Finn. Wikipedia

Phineas Redux Anthony Trollope - When Phineas's wife dies, he becomes discontented with his life as a minor government functionary and longs to return to his exciting former career of politics in London. His luck is as strong as ever; his party is seeking to return to power with fresh blood, and with its support, he is once again elected to Parliament. However, he makes a bitter enemy within his own party, Mr. Bonteen. When Bonteen is murdered, there are two strong suspects: Phineas and the Reverend Mr Emilius (a disreputable major character in the third Palliser novel, The Eustace Diamonds). Bonteen had helped Lady Eustace get her marriage to Emilius annulled (he found out that Emilius already had a wife). The circumstantial evidence all points to Phineas. In addition, Emilius has an airtight alibi: he was in his lodgings, and the door was locked by his landlady, who had the only key. As a result, Phineas is charged and brought to trial. The entire nation is thrilled by the prospect of a Member of Parliament being convicted of murder. Madame Max Goestler, still strongly in love with Phineas (as detailed in the novel Phineas Finn), travels to the Continent on his behalf. She finds and brings back a locksmith who copied a key for Emilius, destroying his alibi. Phineas is acquitted, though the evidence isn't strong enough to bring Emilius to justice. Worn out by the ordeal, Phineas resigns his seat and marries the overjoyed Madame Max. (Both Phineas and Madame Max resurface in later Palliser novels.)