Our Mutual Friend

The story revolves around the lives of two young people John Harmon and Bella Wilfer who are meant to be married but their union is threatened by the murder of John Harmon which occurs before the novel begins. The story explores themes such as wealth class love and social responsibility. The novel is set in London and features a large and diverse cast of characters including Eugene Wrayburn a young barrister who falls in love with Lizzie Hexam the daughter of a river scavenger; Bradley Headstone a schoolteacher who becomes obsessed with Lizzie; and Silas Wegg a cunning and deceitful street vendor.