This is another gem of a little known short novel by Conan Doyle, centring on the relationships between three neighbouring families in a London suburb, observed ruefully by two aged spinsters whose father used to own the land on which all these houses all now stand. It is very funny, and there are some interesting discussions on female emancipation, with which Conan Doyle appears to have a basic philosophical sympathy while satirising, though quite affectionately, the "fanatic" excesses to which they tend to go. Despite initial tensions between the households, the financial ruin of the young man in the one of the households due to embezzling of funds by his business partner brings the families together as they try to help him, and the story ends with a double marriage. A nice, upbeat read to distract me on a blisteringly hot day. ( )

It's hard to believe that Arthur Conan Doyle was even paying attention to this book as he was writing it. One of the protagonists is profoundly dissatisfied with the occupation of stockbroker, and Conan Doyle spends pages emphasizing how unsuited he is for an indoor, money-grubbing life... and then never refers to it again. Apparently, marrying a woman whom he admires somehow changes his essential nature. In addition, the subplot in which women's rights is played for laughs is extremely dated. I might keep this book because the cover is red. ( )