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Uncle Bernac

(1897)
A Memory of Empire
A novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Book DescriptionThis was one of several fictional historical works that Doyle wrote during the last five years of the 19th century, as he tried to find something to replace Sherlock Holmes, whom he had killed off at the end of 1894. Doyle was later to dismiss this book as a failure, though he always liked his lengthy description of Napoleon (which he actually had written before beginning the book) -- ".. I was still unable to determine whether I was dealing with a great hero or with a great scoundrel. Of the adjective only could I be sure."

This murder mystery novel relates the story of a young Frenchman, who, grown up in England, returns to France during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte's "Prise de pouvoir" to offer him his services, and the adventures this causes him to be involved in.

"A strange chance had landed me upon the French coast at the very same time as a murderous conspirator. When I looked back upon my series of adventures, my wanderings in the salt marsh, my entrance into the cottage, my discovery of the papers, my capture by the conspirators, the long period of suspense with Toussac's dreadful thumb upon my chin, and finally the moving scenes which I had witnessed: the killing of the hound, the capture of Lesage, I could not wonder that my nerves were overwrought

Genre: Literary Fiction

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