Subject
Extortion -- Fiction Books
Best books
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 1 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 1" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. Aurora Floyd, the spirited daughter of a wealthy banker, harbors a dark secret from her past that threatens her future happiness. When two suitors seek her hand, she must conceal a mysterious fifteen-month disappearance that broke her father's heart. Her eventual marriage brings unexpected danger when a figure from her hidden past arrives—and is soon found murdered, casting suspicion upon Aurora herself.
Eça de Queirós
Dragon's teeth : $b A novel from the Portuguese
"Dragon's teeth: A novel from the Portuguese by Eça de Queirós" is a novel written in 1878. In nineteenth-century Lisbon, bored housewife Luiza leads a comfortable but unexciting life with her engineer husband Jorge. When her husband travels for work, her former lover Bazilio returns after years abroad, reigniting their romance. But their affair produces love letters that fall into dangerous hands, setting off a chain of blackmail, betrayal, and devastating consequences that will shatter multiple lives in bourgeois Portuguese society.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 2 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 2" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. The second volume follows Aurora's marriage to John Mellish, which becomes threatened when a man from her mysterious past arrives at their estate. After he is found murdered, suspicion falls on Aurora, whose secret history makes her vulnerable to accusations. As rumors spread and evidence mounts against her, Aurora must fight to prove her innocence while protecting both her marriage and reputation from devastating scandal.
William Le Queux
Behind the bronze door
"Behind the Bronze Door" by William Le Queux is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in post-war London, where a series of mysterious tragedies befall high society individuals, including suicides and inexplicable deaths, creating a climate of suspense and curiosity. The central character, Mrs. Cora Hartsilver, grapples with the aftermath of her husband's death by suicide and her complicated emotional ties to a prominent figure involved in the recent societal tragedies. The opening of the novel introduces a tense atmosphere as Cora and her husband, Henry Hartsilver, discuss the latest society tragedy reported in the newspaper—the death of a well-known baronet. Henry exhibits a cold and dismissive attitude towards the tragedies that plague high society, while Cora, who has a personal connection to one of the victims, feels deeply affected. This emotional divergence sets the stage for potential conflict and exploration of themes surrounding love, loss, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters in the midst of a mystery that intertwines their lives with the dark underbelly of their social circle. As the narrative progresses, it hints at evolving relationships and hidden secrets that will likely unravel as the story unfolds.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
Aurora Floyd, Vol. 3 Fifth Edition
"Aurora Floyd, Vol. 3" by M. E. Braddon is a sensation novel published in 1863. The spoiled yet kind-hearted Aurora Floyd harbors a dark secret from her past that threatens her marriage to devoted John Mellish. When a mysterious trainer arrives at their estate and is subsequently murdered, Aurora becomes the prime suspect. As rumors swirl and evidence mounts against her, she must navigate suspicion, shame, and the growing distance between herself and her husband while fighting to prove her innocence.
Nicholas (House name) Carter
The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue
"The Twin Mystery; Or, A Dashing Rescue" by Nicholas Carter is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the famous detective Nick Carter as he takes on a perplexing case involving a notorious blackmailer known only as the Brown Robin, who has been operating in several cities before setting its sights on New York. The narrative establishes a sense of intrigue and tension as Nick Carter navigates the complexities of the mystery, suggesting that he will be challenged both legally and personally by the cunning adversary. The opening of the story introduces Nick Carter and his wife, Edith, as they receive mysterious letters from the Brown Robin. These letters hint at a dark and manipulative game of blackmail in which Carter is pulled into a web of deception. The enigmatic Brown Robin challenges Nick's reputation as a detective, leading him to seek out the identity of this clever antagonist while also interacting with potential victims, such as the wealthy bank president Alpheus Cary. As Nick prepares to uncover the truth, he faces the possibility of being drawn into one of his most dangerous cases yet, setting the stage for a thrilling detective story filled with clever turns and unexpected encounters.
Paul Thorne
The Secret Toll
"The Secret Toll" by Paul Thorne and Mabel Thorne is a crime fiction novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story follows Robert Forrester, a young civil engineer who, after returning from military service, finds himself targeted by a mysterious criminal gang called the "Friends of the Poor," which extorts money from wealthy citizens under the threat of death. The plot thickens as Forrester refuses to comply with their demands, becoming embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. At the start of the tale, Forrester discusses the gang's activities with a friend in an exclusive Chicago club, revealing his disbelief in their power over the police. He receives a chilling letter demanding a large sum of money under threat of death, which brings the case of George Nevins, a recent victim, perilously close to home. The opening chapters set the stage for Forrester's resolve to confront this menace, leading him to involve the police and a private detective while also emphasizing the escalating threat posed by the gang, who have left previous victims dead. Forrester’s determination to act against the shadowy figures behind the extortion promises a gripping conflict as the story unfolds.
J. W. McConaughy
Madame X: a story of mother-love
"Madame X: A Story of Mother-Love" by J. W. McConaughy and Alexandre Bisson is a dramatic novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the poignant themes of love, loss, and betrayal, focusing primarily on the struggles of Louis Floriot, a Deputy Attorney of Paris, and the impact of his estranged wife Jacqueline's actions on their family. The story explores the depths of a father's love for his son and the complexities that arise when the mother of the child returns unexpectedly into their lives after abandoning them. The opening of the novel introduces readers to a tense and emotional scene as Louis watches over his sick son, Raymond, who has been gravely ill. Despite his exhaustion from caring for the boy and his work, Louis appears resolute in his love for Raymond, which serves as a reminder of the emotional void left by Jacqueline's departure. As the narrative unfolds, we glimpse the intertwined fates of these characters, revealing Louis's poignant memories of happiness before the betrayal he suffered. The chapter sets the stage for Jacqueline’s reentry into their lives, hinting at the turmoil and potential for reconciliation that lies ahead.
William Le Queux
If Sinners Entice Thee
"If Sinners Entice Thee" by William Le Queux is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story begins in a quaint English village, focusing on Captain Erle Brooker, his daughter Liane, and their companion Nelly Bridson. The narrative delves into themes of love, social status, and the shadows of a mysterious past that looms over the characters, particularly with the interest of Prince Zertho d'Auzac in Liane. The opening of the book introduces a conversation between Captain Brooker and Zertho, hinting at tensions surrounding Liane’s future and her father's intentions. As the dialogue unfolds, we learn about the father's protective nature towards Liane and the complex dynamics of their lives marked by financial struggles and social ostracism. We also get a glimpse into Liane’s character—beautiful yet seemingly haunted by her past—as well as the ominous curiosity surrounding Zertho, a man from Brooker's past with a dubious reputation. The juxtaposition of the idyllic village setting with the impending sense of turmoil sets the stage for a tale of intrigue and emotional entanglements.
Malcolm Jameson
Stellar Showboat
"Stellar Showboat" by Malcolm Jameson is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. Set against a backdrop of interplanetary crime and intrigue, the story revolves around the character of Special Investigator Billy Neville, who is assigned to unravel a sinister blackmail and extortion ring that has been operating in various parts of the solar system. The narrative unfolds in a unique environment, featuring a space showboat, which serves as a pivotal setting for the unfolding drama. The plot follows Investigator Neville as he is reluctantly drawn into a web of deception, where the line between reality and performance blurs, especially during a show hosted aboard a floating theater ship. Tasked with observing the local magnate, Simeon Carstairs, Neville quickly realizes that there’s more at stake than just a simple case of extortion. As he digs deeper, he discovers that a powerful mastermind behind the blackmail plot is using impersonation and hypnotism to exploit the secrets of influential individuals. With the imminent threat of disappearance looming over the intended victims, Neville must race against time to uncover the truth and thwart the dangerous plan, all while navigating the colorful yet perilous world of a space entertainment spectacle.
Edgar Wallace
The crimson circle
"The Crimson Circle" by Edgar Wallace is a crime novel written in the early 20th century. It centers on a ruthless blackmail-and-murder syndicate that terrorizes the wealthy, drawing in a famed intuitive sleuth, Derrick Yale, the stolid Inspector Parr, and the wealthy Beardmores. As the gang’s threats escalate, young Jack Beardmore seeks justice for his father while Thalia Drummond—an enigmatic secretary with questionable ties—becomes a pivotal figure whose loyalties are unclear. The story promises a cat-and-mouse hunt for a hidden mastermind who manipulates victims and accomplices from the shadows. The opening of The Crimson Circle introduces a shadowy organization that recruits desperate men in secret, then pivots to a wave of extortion notes culminating in the marked targeting of magnate James Beardmore. After a crimson circle appears on a tree near his estate, Beardmore is shot in a nearby wood; Yale and Parr begin probing clues—spent cartridges, pointed boot prints, cigar ash—while suspicion ripples toward onlooker Felix Marl and the cool, self-possessed Thalia, who is soon arrested for pawning her employer’s idol. Thalia is bound over but promptly summoned by the Circle, installed as secretary at Brabazon’s bank, and told to monitor Marl and movements at the bank; meanwhile a sailor confesses to the shooting as a hired killer and is silenced by cyanide with the Circle’s mark left behind. Early threads interweave Marl’s leverage over banker Brabazon, Thalia’s calculated poise and new assignment, and the rivalry-cum-partnership of Yale and Parr as they begin closing on the gang’s elusive core.
Anthony Trollope
Dr. Wortle's School
"Dr. Wortle's School" by Anthony Trollope is a novel published in 1881. Set in Victorian England, the story centers on a respected Christian academy thrown into scandal when it's discovered that two hired teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Peacocke, are living in an invalid marriage. Her first husband, believed dead, has reappeared alive. Dr. Wortle must defend his decision to support the couple while his school's reputation crumbles and the community condemns their unconventional relationship as sinful.
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