[1] The novel takes place in the Napoleonic era on the Anglo-Scottish border city called West Inch.

The story follows Jack Colder, who claims his only notable childhood experience was when he accidentally prevented a burglary during an attempt to escape a boarding school.

Once Jim goes off to medical school, Jack reunites with his cousin Edie, who inherited a lot of money when her father died.

The boys quickly realize Lapp is very rich and has many battle scares that are only outmatched by his endless war stories that charm everyone, including Edie.

The French are described as having significant arms and were trained soldiers as opposed to the regiment Jack and Jim were a part of.

After a long reign as the French emperor, in which he conquered many regions, Napoleon Bonaparte was banished, and ultimately returned in 1815.

Other writings by Conan Doyle involving the Napoleonic Era include Adventures of Gerard and Uncle Bernac.

He says in his biography that,""In my early childhood, as far as I can remember anything at all, the vivid stories she would tell me stand out so clearly that they obscure the real facts of my life.

"[3] The book begins with Jack Colder recounting his life in a Jesuit boarding school, where he ends up meeting his best friend Jim.

The novel has a pretty grim outlook on the boarding school with most of the attendees featuring almost and endless supply of money as well as a sense of entitlement.

[4] In the year Conan Doyle published The Great Shadow, his wife, Louisa, gave birth to a son named Kingsley.

Jack explains his really only significant memory as a child was when he accidentally stopped robbers from stealing money from the boarding school in which he attended, and was trying to leave that night.

Edie was a very good childhood friend, and she recently received large inheritance after her parents died, and was sent to live with Jack's family.

Jack is again betrayed when Lapp leaves with Edie, and in this case is not willing to patch things up, but rather joins Jim immediately upon his announcement of enlisting.

However, it is clear from the beginning that Edie is going to infuse herself into the friendship, when she makes it glaringly obvious she is interested in Jim more than Jack.

Ultimately their friendship is put to the test when Jim decides to enlist in the army, which Jack immediately joins him in doing.

Jim is the ideal candidate when it comes to heroism because he has a strong body and displays a certain amount of power, and this is reflected by Edie’s attraction.

Finally this idea of heroism is shone in a different light during the Battle of Waterloo when it appears the French are initially the heroes with their grand experience and armor.

However they were the defeated by the bravery and craftiness of the Duke of Wellington Lapp is yet another example of a theme considering his wealth goes a long way in West Inch.

His deep pockets get the attention of Jack’s father who lets him stay in one of the rooms in exchange for a hefty rent.

A review published by The Anthneum acknowledges The Great Shadow as a “new vein” for Conan Doyle, but the specifics regarding parts of the Battle of Waterloo are questioned by the review, namely the specifics of Clinton’s 71st division and the questioning of how Jack and his comrades would be able to see some of the action considering they were half a mile away.