The Trail of the Serpent follows Richard Marwood, a reformed gambler unjustly accused of his uncle's murder. Declared insane and confined to an asylum, Richard's only hope lies in the hands of a mute yet astute detective determined to unravel the real killer's path. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian England, the novel weaves together mistaken identities, chilling secrets, and the double lives of sinister figures like the enigmatic Jabez North. With gothic tension and a labyrinthine plot, this pioneering detective story blends psychological insight with sharp social critique.