Lord Lister No. 0026: Inspecteur Baxter in het krankzinnigengesticht

by Theo von Blankensee

"Lord Lister No. 0026: Inspecteur Baxter in het krankzinnigengesticht" by Blankensee et al. is a fictional detective novel likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around two main characters, Raffles and his friend Charly Brand, who are amateur criminals evading the law while infiltrating a mental institution to uncover sinister practices. The story explores themes of justice, deception, and the dark side of mental health institutions, as Raffles devises cunning plans to confront a corrupt doctor. The opening of the story introduces Raffles and Charly Brand as they casually discuss troubling news regarding a millionaire, John Gulden, who has been involuntarily committed to a mental institution by his son. Raffles expresses his concerns about the institution's hidden dangers, hinting at the prevalence of wrongful commitments to eliminate unwanted individuals. He then reveals his plan to send Inspector Baxter, disguised as a patient, into the institution to gather information on its dark secrets. This sets the stage for a tense exploration of madness and corruption, stirring anticipation for the challenges Raffles and his allies will face as they navigate the dangerous world of the insane asylum.