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Judicial error -- Fiction Books
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Wilkie Collins
The Dead Alive
"The Dead Alive" by Wilkie Collins is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story revolves around Philip Lefrank, a junior barrister who suffers from overwork and is advised by his doctor to take a rest, prompting him to travel to America to visit a distant relative, Mr. Isaac Meadowcroft, at Morwick Farm. Upon his arrival, Lefrank finds himself embroiled in a complex web of tension and hostility within the household, particularly involving the mysterious disappearance of John Jago, who has been at odds with the Meadowcroft family. The opening of the novel introduces the main character, Philip Lefrank, as he grapples with his health and decision to leave his legal practice behind temporarily. His arrival at Morwick Farm sets the stage for a series of unsettling events, marked by family discord, hidden animosities, and the social dynamics between Lefrank, the Meadowcroft family, and John Jago. As Lefrank learns about the family’s dark secrets and tensions, he is drawn into a conflict that suggests a crisis is looming. The dynamics between the characters, notably Lefrank, Naomi Colebrook—Mr. Meadowcroft's lively American niece—and the enigmatic John Jago raise questions about morality, affection, and the consequences of unchecked grievances, hinting at deeper mysteries and potential dangers ahead.
M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon
The trail of the serpent
"The Trail of the Serpent" by M. E. Braddon is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story appears to center on crime, intrigue, and personal downfall, set in the fictional English town of Slopperton. Early key characters include Jabez North, a school usher with hidden depths, and Richard Marwood, a prodigal son implicated in a heinous crime. The book likely explores themes of deception, mistaken guilt, and the dark complexities of human character. The opening of the novel sets a somber, rain-soaked scene in Slopperton, introducing Jabez North, a seemingly virtuous assistant at a boys' academy who harbors secrets and troubling behaviors. The narrative quickly shifts to the return of Richard Marwood, an outcast son, who reunites briefly with his mother and wealthy uncle, only to find himself entangled in a web of suspicion following his uncle's brutal murder. Parallel subplots introduce other troubled souls, such as a desperate woman and her child, and the movements of a mute detective named Peters. Within these opening chapters, the story lays the groundwork for a mystery, focusing on the wrongful accusation of Richard, the suspicion cast on various townsfolk, and the interplay between outward respectability and inner corruption.
Anna Katharine Green
Dark Hollow
"Dark Hollow" by Anna Katharine Green is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story begins in a small town where the respected Judge Ostrander has maintained an eerie isolation from society following a series of personal tragedies. The narrative centers around the mysterious events surrounding his home and the appearance of a veiled woman who enters his property, stirring up curiosity and concern among the townsfolk. As tensions rise, the community grapples with the implications of her presence and the judge's reclusive nature. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the local gossip surrounding Judge Ostrander's home, which has remained closed off to the public for years. The opening scene highlights a small group of townspeople who notice the judge's gate ajar, an unusual occurrence that prompts speculation about the sudden intrusion. Amidst the commotion, a man named Bela, who serves as the judge's loyal caretaker, is mentioned as a central figure. The townspeople recall the judge's past sorrows, including the loss of his son and a close friend, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. Tension builds as the community decides to intrude upon the judge's sanctuary, ultimately discovering him in a cataleptic state while questions about the mysterious woman linger in the air. The opening chapters effectively set the tone for a story filled with intrigue, emotion, and the complexities of human relationships.
Stewart Edward White
The Call of the North
"The Call of the North" by Stewart Edward White is a dramatized novel set in the late 19th century that portrays a gripping tale of life in the Northern wilderness. The story revolves around Virginia Albret, a young woman navigating her existence within a small settlement dominated by her father, Galen Albret, the powerful Factor of the region, who is feared and respected by all. The theme is steeped in the struggles of survival against nature, the traditions of trade, and the impending consequences of rivalry in this harsh environment. At the start of the novel, Virginia is introduced as she gazes out over the Northern wilderness, poignantly aware of her father's authority and the transient nature of the traders and Indians who pass through their settlement. As spring arrives, she eagerly awaits the return of a brigade from the wild, only to find herself intrigued by a stranger, Ned Trent, a Free Trader marked by his defiance against the monopolistic Company. The opening chapters establish tension as Virginia's sheltered world begins to unravel, revealing sinister undercurrents related to her father's ruthless policies and the dread surrounding the fate of traders like Trent, who are at risk of being condemned to the perilous "Long Traverse." Through vivid imagery and complex character dynamics, the narrative sets the stage for a captivating exploration of love, power, and survival in the North.
Wilkie Collins
John Jagon henki tahi kuollutko vai elävä?
"John Jagon henki tahi kuollutko vai elävä?" by Wilkie Collins is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around a young English lawyer named Filip Lefrank, who, after being instructed by his doctor to rest, travels to America to visit relatives. There, he encounters a tangled web of family dynamics, including the presence of a captivating young woman named Naomi and a mysterious figure named John Jago, hinting at deeper conflicts and tensions that may unfold. At the start of the narrative, the protagonist, Filip Lefrank, is recovering from overwork and receives medical advice to take a break. He decides to visit his relatives in America, where misgivings arise surrounding family members, particularly the enigmatic peasant John Jago, who seems to hold a significant influence over the household. As the plot develops, interpersonal tensions are exacerbated, leading to conflict and the foreshadowing of dark events, suggesting that the seemingly quaint rural setting will soon bear witness to deeper rivalries and perhaps even tragedy.
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