Jezebel's Daughter

Jezebel's Daughter ,by Wilkie Collins, is a novel published in 1880 ,based on the 1858 play, The Red Vial. The novel is notable for the way it handles the treatment of lunatics and the mentally retarded; and for the creation of a female character who is effective both in business and as a philanthropist The plot centres around the firm of Wagner, Keller and Engelman, which has offices in London and Frankurt. After the death of her husband, Mrs Wagner becomes senior partner Ager to continue her late husband’s philanthropic activities, she befriends Jack Straw, an inmate of Bedlam, and takes him to live with her in order to prove that ‘lunatics’ are not beyond redemption. . The plot revolves around the use of poisons and includes forensic details applicable to detective fiction.