The House by the Church-Yard

The House by the Church-Yard veers away from Le Fanus usual dark gothic tales as it brings with it more murder mystery than horror. First published in 1863, it is set in 18th century Ireland, in a village near Dublin called Chapelizod. It is a tale of historical murder, deceit, and discovery. The main characters are Lord Castlemallard, his agent Charles Nutter, and his estate manager Mr Dangerfield; Doctor Sturk, the military doctor; General Chattesworth, and his daughter Gertrude; and the mysterious Mr Mervyn, who becomes a rival with Dangerfield in their attentions for Gertrude. With sharply observed characters, and comic sub-plots, The House by the Church-Yard was apparently a source for James Joyces Finnegans Wake. The village where the story takes place, Chapelizod, is where Sheridan Le Fanu lived when he was young.