The sudden disappearance of George Talboys triggers a frantic investigation that exposes the dark, hidden past of the seemingly angelic Lady Audley. Lady Audley, a woman of humble origins who has ascended to the heights of Victorian society through marriage, must protect her carefully constructed identity against those who threaten to reveal her history. Her primary objective is the preservation of her status and security, which forces her into a series of increasingly desperate and manipulative maneuvers. The narrative, presented through a third-person perspective, highlights the rigid social and legal constraints placed upon women during the mid-19th century. The story unfolds within the claustrophobic confines of Audley Court, where the tension between domestic propriety and hidden criminality drives the plot forward.

Readers and critics frequently analyze the work as a foundational example of the sensation novel, noting its ability to subvert Victorian expectations of femininity. Discussion often centers on the moral ambiguity of Lady Audley, who is frequently debated as either a victim of her circumstances or a calculated villain. The pacing is often praised for its ability to maintain high levels of suspense through the slow unraveling of secrets. Many scholars highlight the text as a significant critique of the era's gender dynamics and the limited agency afforded to women. The atmospheric descriptions of the English countryside and the estate of Audley Court are often cited as essential elements that ground the narrative's more dramatic revelations.