One Line Summary

In post-war Oxford, C.S. Lewis steps beyond academia when a missing student exposes exploitation hidden behind charity and respectability.

Opening Impression

The Mystery at Rake Hall opens amid rationing and moral fatigue, drawing Lewis into a case that pits reason and conscience against cruelty.

Synopsis

When Susan Temple vanishes from a refuge for unmarried mothers, Lewis pursues rumours of illicit adoptions ignored by the authorities.

Assisted by family and press allies, he uncovers how post-war rebuilding conceals injustice behind benevolence.

Analysis

Characters: Lewis is humane, observant, and quietly determined.

Atmosphere: A restrained, morally weighted post-war Oxford.

Style: Elegant, literary prose with investigative momentum.

Themes: Faith, hypocrisy, and detection as an ethical act.

Verdict

The Mystery at Rake Hall is a thoughtful, empathetic literary mystery that rewards readers seeking depth and historical texture.