Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope

Phineas Redux, #4 in Trollope's Palliser series, continues the story of the young Irish politician Phineas Finn, began in the #2 book in the series. At the end of that book, Phineas had taken a stand in Parliament in opposition to his Party, and had subsequently resigned and retired from political life, returning to Ireland and marrying the sweetheart of his younger days, leaving behind three separate unsuccessful love affairs. As this installment of the story begins, Phineas's wife has died and he has once again been elected as a Member of Parliament.

The first half of the book concerns itself somewhat with Phineas's efforts to regain his previous social footing, as he interacts as a very good "friend" with his previous sweethearts, but mainly it's about politics. Some of the political maneuvering became tedious to this American reader, but I did find it interesting and timely that the members of the Liberal Party all vote against a bill that they actually support in principle, just because it is introduced by members of the Conservative Party. Doesn't that sound just a little too familiar?

The second half of the book takes a turn unusual for Trollope and concerns a murder. The victim happens to be Phineas's chief political enemy with whom he has publicly quarreled, and that and other circumstances point to his guilt. He is thus arrested and tried for murder. But Trollope doesn't make this a mystery at all, because he reveals right away that someone else did it. The suspense then becomes the "how and if" Phineas will be acquitted, and, of course, which of his former sweethearts will he choose as the next Mrs. Finn.

As always, Trollope's strength lies his portrayal of characters, who are believable and sympathetic. Although his plots are generally predictable, he is still great fun to read.