In the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)

Edward Cope stands at a crossroads, caught between his father’s relentless ambition and his own half‑formed affections. The elder Cope is determined to bind his son to the wealthy Miss Culpepper, hoping a marriage will cement their place among the county’s elite. Yet Edward’s heart wavers, drawn to the lively Matilda Moggs while the quiet Jane Culpepper offers a different, more fragile promise. As he prepares to board a train for New York, the weight of family expectations and unspoken desires hangs heavy over his brief farewell.

Back in the village, the arrival of a high‑profile trial threatens to expose hidden motives and long‑kept secrets. Rumors swirl around Dr. Drayton’s suspicions, whispered footsteps in locked rooms, and a mysterious bottle of burgundy that may hold the key to untangling loyalties. With each chapter unveiling new layers of intrigue, listeners are invited to navigate the tangled web of love, ambition, and justice that defines this compelling middle act.