The Adventure of the Copper Beeches by Arthur Conan Doyle

A governess takes a suspiciously well-paid job at a country estate, where she’s forced to perform strange acts and is warned not to explore certain areas of the house. Sensing something wrong, she calls upon Holmes, who discovers a scheme involving false imprisonment and inheritance. The plot is tense and atmospheric, with a strong female protagonist and a clever resolution. Doyle plays with Gothic tropes and feminist undertones. It’s a haunting tale about control, courage, and justice.