The story is based on a real crime which was something of a sensation at the time. It follows the fortunes of the two Collegians, Hardness Cregan and his old college friend Kyle Daly. Kyle is the steady sensible one who is a little unfortunate in love. Hardness is the Lovable rogue he secretly marries the beautiful but poor Eily without thinking of the consequences. He then deserts Eily for the equally beautiful but much richer Ann. Unfortunately his plan to dispose of Eily ends in tragedy and for the rest of the novel Hardness in a full Macbethian style guilt trip gradually self destructs.
In this novel Griffin guides you through the beautiful landscapes of Killarney, Ireland which is peopled with the drunken and debauched upper classes and their comical servants.
If you have an Interest in Ireland and enjoy reading 19th century literature you should enjoy this novel because it really is a very good read.