Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope [Palliser Series #4]

In the fourth of the Palliser series Phineas Finn is working as a Poorhouse Inspector in Ireland. His wife having died in childbirth, he finds his existence dull and unsatisfying after the excitement of his former career as a Member of Parliament. Back in England, the Whigs are determined to overturn the Tory majority in Parliament. As Finn had been considered the most promising of the younger set, he is invited to run for office again.