The moors and valleys of Miss Bentley's Native Yorkshire and the mill town of Hudley, just a few miles away from the Ire Valley of her novel Inheritance, form the scene of this new book, first published in 1934. A Modern Tragedy is the dramatic story of Walter Haigh, who makes his entrance as an enthusiastic, ambitious, rather innocent young fellow, starting in the textile business with his father's old employers, the Lumbs, at Valley Mill. Early in the story, Walter leaves Valley Mill and takes a position with the wily Leonard Tasker, of Victory Mills. He becomes apparently prosperous, makes his way into the more aristocratic society of the town, and falls in love with beautiful Elaine Crosland. Until the depression pulls down Tasker's business, and everything changes…
