It's been a while since I read the previous three Palliser novels, and I wasn't sure how easily I'd be able to slip back into the series. This turned out not to be a problem, perhaps partially aided by the fact that Phineas Redux is a great book, even viewed independently of the other Palliser novels.

I found Phineas Finn to be a little too political for my tastes, and for me Phineas Redux was more enjoyable since politics takes a backseat compared to the other events in Phineas' life. I was hooked throughout the trial, and desperately hoping that justice would prevail.

For me, this has been the best book in the Palliser series so far and I am looking forward to reading the final two with renewed enthusiasm. ( )

Phineas Finn returns to London and politics in this novel, the fourth in Trollope's Palliser series. The previous books (as well as most of the Barsetshire novels) can probably be read out of sequence with not much confusion. This one, however, should probably be read following at least Phineas Finn. Trollope picks up the story sometime after the events of Phineas Finn, but all the old relationships and conflicts are present. Having lost his wife, Phineas returns to Parliament. However, the election is not without some controversy, which later comes back to haunt him. He also reconnects with old friends and enemies.

His relationship with Lady Laura Kennedy is developed further. Separated from her husband, Laura has become increasingly isolated and, after Phineas returns, increasingly dependent on him. There's a sharp contrast to the first Phineas book, where Laura was his superior in status, political influence and self-possession. He confessed his love and she calmly let him down, but remained his friend. Now Laura is unable to contain her emotions and admits she loves Phineas. For the whole book, Phineas remains loyal to Laura, even when it costs him politically, but never returns her love. Laura's husband Mr. Kennedy also suffers in isolation. On one hand, Trollope shows the destruction caused by a marriage that, to Laura at least, was mostly mercenary. Laura's marriage is also a contrast to the happy outcome of a 'sensible' match such as the one between Lady Glencora and Plantagenet Palliser. Glencora's marriage was decided for her. She didn't love her husband, but he was a steady, ambitious, well-off politician. At one point, Glencora even wanted to leave him for another man, but they worked things out and their marriage was a success. The Kennedy marriage was arranged under similar circumstances, but it ruins both Kennedy and Laura.

Glencora and her husband are dealing with the Duke of Omnium, Palliser's uncle, who is near death. The thought of inheriting his uncle's title and vast wealth does not appeal to the stolid Palliser, who only wants to be Chancellor of the Exchequer. Glencora also tries to bring about the match between her friend, Madame Max Goesler and Phineas, much to Laura's chagrin. In politics, there's an intense debate over church disestablishment. Trollope's requisite love subplot is less interesting than some - Adelaide Palliser and the man she can't quite make up her mind to love and marry, Gerard Maule. Lizzie Eustace from the third Palliser novel shows up, unsurpringly unhappy in her second marriage. The main plot deals with Phineas being accused of the murder of a political rival. ( )