Beyond the City is a light-hearted short novel by Arthur Conan Doyle that trades foggy London for the sunny lawns of a Victorian suburb. Set in a tranquil commuter village outside London, the story follows the intertwined fortunes of three neighboring families. At the center are the outspoken Mrs. Westmacott – a "new woman" feminist who brews stout and advocates women's rights in the 1890s– and the boisterous Admiral Hay Denver, a retired naval officer adjusting to quiet land life. There's also a scholarly doctor with two marriageable daughters. As these characters mix, Doyle spins a gentle domestic plot: romances blossom between youthful neighbors, minor scandals erupt (often comedic, as when Mrs. Westmacott's forthright views shock the conservatives), and everyone learns a lesson in tolerance and friendship. While free of crime or supernatural events, the novel engages with contemporary themes like women's education and financial speculation, all within the microcosm of suburbia. Doyle's affection for the setting shines through in idyllic scenes of tennis on the green and evening musical "choruses." By the story's end, marriages occur and conflicts resolve amiably. Beyond the City offers a pleasant escape and a subtle social commentary, proving Doyle's storytelling could be as comfortable with parlors and garden gates as with foggy alleys and detectives.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish author, physician, and spiritualist best known for creating the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where his storytelling talent began to emerge alongside his scientific education. Though initially practicing as a doctor, Doyle turned to writing to support himself, eventually achieving worldwide fame with the publication of A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Beyond detective fiction, he explored historical novels, science fiction, and supernatural themes, notably in the Professor Challenger series. A passionate advocate for justice, he was involved in several real-life legal investigations. In his later years, Doyle became deeply involved in spiritualism, dedicating much of his time and writings to life after death. His legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in literary history.