First published in 1854, this was Wilkie Collin’s third novel.

The artist, Valentine Blyth and his disabled wife have adopted the beautiful deaf and dumb Mary – an abused foundling. They try to hide her from her abusers. But who is the mysterious man who is trying to find her? And who were Mary’s parents? Will she get to marry young Zack, who eventually falls for her?
Whilst less sensational than his later novels, this novel has a small sting in the tail.