is a popular 1993 historical thriller by Ken Follett. Set in late Victorian England (specifically beginning in 1866), the novel centers on the powerful Pilaster banking family and a web of intrigue that spans three decades. Core Plot & Premise

: While Hugh is a man of integrity struggling to succeed after his father's bankruptcy, Edward is depicted as incompetent and spoiled by his mother. Key Characters

: The primary antagonist and Edward's mother; a cunning and manipulative woman who ruthlessly protects her son's interests.