The Honor of the Name

The Honor of the Name is a detective novel by Emile Gaboriau, published in the 19th century during the post-Napoleonic period in France. Set in the village of Sairmeuse, it follows M. Lacheneur, a former ploughboy who becomes a lord after purchasing the estate of the Duc de Sairmeuse, only to face turmoil with the duke's unexpected return. The narrative explores themes of honor, social status, and ambition, highlighting the conflicts between the new social order and the remnants of the old nobility, making it a significant work in the development of modern detective fiction.