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

When the proud Squire Culpepper finds himself forced to ask a long‑standing friend for a loan, his dignity and the fragile veneer of his genteel world begin to crack. He arrives at the imposing bank on Duxley High Street, humbled by the prospect of mortgaging the grand mansion he once boasted about, and is met with the cold, procedural stare of Mr. Cope. The tense exchange over a modest‑looking IOU versus proper security sets the stage for a struggle between old‑fashioned honor and the harsh realities of Victorian finance.

Against this backdrop, a colorful cast of characters—Miss Culpepper, the outspoken lady of the house; the enigmatic Knockley Holt; and the bustling Three Crowns Hotel—will swirl into the squire’s desperate quest. As debts mount and pride wavers, Culpepper must decide whether to cling to his reputation or to navigate a maze of social expectations, secrets, and unexpected alliances. The novel weaves wit, social commentary, and a touch of suspense, offering listeners a vivid portrait of a man teetering on the brink of ruin in a world that values appearance above all.