The Great Impersonation. A Tale of Identity and Intrigue in Colonial Africa and Edwardian England

"The Great Impersonation" by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a gripping narrative that intertwines themes of identity, deception, and international intrigue. The story begins with Everard Dominey, an Englishman who has been living in Africa for over a decade, returning to England. Dominey, who has been presumed dead, surprises his solicitor, Mr. Mangan, with his unexpected return and newfound wealth. Dominey reveals that he has been successful in various ventures in Africa, amassing a fortune that allows him to consider paying off the mortgages on his family estate.
However, his return is shadowed by a mysterious past involving the disappearance of Roger Unthank, a man with whom Dominey had a violent altercation before leaving England. The local community, including Dominey's wife, Lady Dominey, believes that Dominey is responsible for Unthank's disappearance, and Lady Dominey harbors a deep-seated animosity towards him. In a parallel narrative, Dominey encounters Leopold Von Ragastein, a German officer who bears a striking resemblance to him.
Von Ragastein, who is on a secret mission in Africa, proposes a daring plan to assume Dominey's identity in England, leveraging their uncanny likeness. This plan is driven by Von Ragastein's desire to infiltrate English society for purposes that are hinted to be of national significance. The novel explores the complexities of identity as Dominey grapples with his past and the implications of Von Ragastein's scheme.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of pre-World War I tensions, adding a layer of geopolitical intrigue to the personal drama.