The Return of Sherlock Holmes  (Paperback, Arthur Conan Doyle)

The story follows the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a young and innocent country girl from a poor family in rural England. The Durbeyfields are informed by a local parson that they are descendants of the noble d'Urberville family, a claim that later turns out to be more of a misrepresentation than actual nobility. Tess's family sends her to the d'Urberville estate, where she meets Alec d'Urberville, the supposed heir of the family. Alec seduces and ultimately abuses Tess, leading to her tragic downfall. After this traumatic experience, Tess returns home, and a series of unfortunate events unfold, including the birth and death of her child and her subsequent attempt to find work as a milkmaid. During her struggles, Tess meets Angel Clare, a kind and idealistic gentleman who falls in love with her. They eventually marry, but Tess struggles with guilt over her past and doesn't reveal her history to Angel. However, when he eventually learns the truth, he reacts with disappointment and leaves her to seek a new life in Brazil. The latter part of the novel revolves around Tess's further misfortunes as she grapples with her past and the societal judgment she faces. The story examines themes of social class, morality, fate, and the challenges faced by women in Victorian society. Tess's tragic fate is seen as a result of the hypocrisy and double standards of her society.