Subject
Forgers -- Fiction Books
Best books
Charles Reade
Foul Play
"Foul Play" by Charles Reade and Dion Boucicault is a dramatic novel written during the mid-19th century. The book centers around the lives of two families, the Wardlaws and the Penfolds, as it delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of a single mistake. The narrative begins with the relationship between father and son, John and Arthur Wardlaw, and hints at impending turmoil involving characters from both families. The opening portion introduces us to Mr. Wardlaw's formal dining room, where a tense silence between father and son foreshadows matters of great importance that they are unable to discuss due to the watchful presence of their servants. Arthur, who has recently passed his university examination, is on the cusp of entering a partnership in his father's business. However, the plot quickly thickens when Mr. Christopher Adams appears, revealing that a forged note linked to Robert Penfold, the son of the Wardlaws' loyal cashier, threatens to unravel the ties between both families. As Arthur struggles with the implications of his friend’s potential wrongdoing, it becomes clear that loyalty and justice will be pivotal themes as the story unfolds.
Louisa May Alcott
The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas Story
"The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas Story" by Alcott is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around Maurice Treherne, a once-spirited man who has become a cripple after a misfortune at sea while saving his wealthy cousin, Jasper. The unfolding drama explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of human desires amidst the backdrop of a Christmas setting. The opening of the book establishes a rich tapestry of relationships and intrigue among the characters, primarily focusing on Maurice, who is now confined to a wheelchair but maintains a dignified strength and spirit despite his challenges. As he converses with relatives and friends, we learn of the complex dynamics between him, his beloved cousin Octavia, and the newcomer Mrs. Snowdon, whose return ignites past feelings and presents potential conflicts. The chapter effectively sets the emotional tone, hinting at unresolved tensions and potential romance, especially concerning the feelings between Maurice and Octavia, while foreshadowing further complications introduced by Mrs. Snowdon’s lingering connections to Maurice’s past.
Anthony Trollope
Orley Farm
"Orley Farm" by Anthony Trollope is a novel written between 1860-1861. Twenty years after Lady Mason successfully defended her inheritance of Orley Farm for her young son, new evidence surfaces that threatens to expose a devastating secret. A vengeful stepson and a vindictive tenant lawyer resurrect the controversy surrounding a disputed codicil to her late husband's will. As Lady Mason faces a second trial for perjury, she must lean on loyal neighbors who believe in her innocence—while the truth remains dangerously concealed.
George Manville Fenn
The Queen's Scarlet The Adventures and Misadventures of Sir Richard Frayne
"The Queen's Scarlet" by George Manville Fenn is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the character of Sir Richard Frayne, a 17-year-old baronet and aspiring army officer. As the plot unfolds, Richard encounters a series of misadventures, including a violent confrontation with his cousin Mark Frayne, which leads to tragic consequences that profoundly impact both their lives. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to Richard Frayne, who is preparing for the army exam alongside his cousin Mark, who is embroiled in financial troubles. Tensions escalate when Richard confronts Mark about borrowing money without his consent, leading to a physical altercation that results in Mark sustaining a grave injury. As Richard grapples with the fallout of their conflict, he is faced with accusations of manslaughter and potential public disgrace. Meanwhile, whispers of the family's secrets and the consequences of Mark's actions loom over them, setting the stage for a gripping tale of honor, betrayal, and the struggle for redemption.
Alexandre Dumas
Gabriel Lambert
"Gabriel Lambert" by Alexandre Dumas is a novel published in 1844 as a newspaper serial. A poor young man with a talent for forgery fabricates a new identity to climb into Parisian high society. When his counterfeiting scheme is exposed, he faces execution, but his sentence is commuted to hard labor in the penal colony. The story explores themes of social ambition, identity, and capital punishment through a frame narrative that begins with a mysterious encounter in Toulon and unfolds through discovered documents.
James H. Schmitz
Watch the Sky
"Watch the Sky" by James H. Schmitz is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book explores themes surrounding the complexities of colonial life on a distant planet named Roye, where the main character, Phil Boles, grapples with the implications of a long-cherished family artifact—a Geest War gun. The narrative dives into the societal and political dynamics on Roye, particularly how they are impacted by broader conflicts with alien races. The story follows Phil Boles as he uncovers a scheme that could reshape the fate of his planet. As he navigates his relationships with his aging aunt Beulah and other local figures, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving a hoax centered around the discovery of a weapon from a previous war. With the intent to secure a military base for Earth on Roye, Phil and his associates invent a narrative around the Geest gun, which leads to unexpected consequences. As tension builds regarding the alien threat, the characters must confront the moral implications of their actions while striving to protect their home and shape its destiny in a precarious political landscape. The novel presents a thought-provoking examination of human ambition, ethics, and survival amidst the backdrop of intergalactic war.
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