Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle was a renowned Scottish writer and physician best known for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. In the novel, he is portrayed as a man grappling with grief over his wife's illness and death, as well as guilt over his decade-long platonic affair with another woman. Driven by his strong sense of justice, Doyle takes up the case of George Edalji after receiving a letter pleading for his help .

George Edalji
George Edalji was a solicitor from a Parsi Indian family living in the English village of Great Wyrley. In 1903, he was wrongfully convicted of mutilating horses and cattle and sentenced to seven years in prison. Despite maintaining his innocence, Edalji\s case highlighted the racial prejudices of the time. After his release, he wrote to Doyle seeking his assistance in clearing his name.

It is a historical novel that tells the intersecting stories of two real-life figures - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and George Edalji, a half-Indian solicitor wrongfully accused of a crime.
The book alternates between tracing the early lives and backgrounds of Arthur and George, who grew up in very different circumstances in late 19th century Britain.
George, the son of a vicar, is falsely convicted in the "Great Wyrley Outrages" case involving a series of animal mutilations and other crimes.
Arthur, initially skeptical of George's innocence, eventually takes up his cause after scrutinizing the flawed evidence and realizing the role of racial prejudice in the case.
A significant portion also covers Arthur's personal life - his relationship with his first wife Louisa who suffered from tuberculosis, his platonic love for Jean Leckie, and his deep interest in spiritualism.

The Nature of Truth and Storytelling
Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, represents the power of narrative and imagination, while George Edalji, the wrongfully accused solicitor, is grounded in facts and reality. The novel examines the tension between these two perspectives.

Racial Prejudice and Injustice
George Edalji, being of mixed race, faces discrimination and is wrongfully convicted due to racial bias, despite a lack of evidence. The novel highlights the injustices faced by minorities in Victorian England.

Honor and Morality
Arthur struggles with his sense of honor and morality, particularly regarding his feelings for Jean Leckie while still married to his wife Touie. The novel explores the complexities of human relationships and personal ethics.

The Legal System
The novel critiques the flaws in the legal system, as George is convicted on circumstantial evidence and denied proper appeals. It also touches on the introduction of an appeals court in England, inspired by cases like George's.

Spiritualism and Belief
Arthur's interest in spiritualism and the supernatural contrasts with George's rational, fact-based worldview, raising questions about the nature of belief and knowledge.

Overall, "Arthur & George" talks about themes of truth, prejudice, morality, and the human capacity for both injustice and redemption.