The Vicar's People

Book excerpt: 'The Vicar's People' by George Manville Fenn, is a novel set in the rugged landscape of West Cornwall, where Rhoda Penwynn lives with her father, a banker of Carnac. Rhoda is a compassionate young woman who feels deeply for the hardships faced by the people of her community, and often wishes she could do more to help them. Her father, however, is a shrewd businessman who cares more about his position and the success of his investments than the plight of the less fortunate. When a young engineer named Geoffrey Trethick arrives in town with hopes of finding success in the mining industry, Rhoda becomes drawn to him, despite her father's warnings. As their paths cross, secrets are revealed and the tension between father and daughter grows, leading to a dramatic conclusion that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.