Subject
Missing persons -- Fiction Books
Best books
James Malcolm Rymer
The String of Pearls; Or, The Barber of Fleet Street. A Domestic Romance.
"The String of Pearls; Or, The Barber of Fleet Street. A Domestic Romance." by Rymer et al. is a penny dreadful serial published from 1846 to 1847. This tale introduces Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber of Fleet Street who kills his customers and delivers their corpses to Mrs. Lovett, who bakes the flesh into meat pies. When a sailor mysteriously disappears after visiting Todd's shop, friends and loved ones investigate, uncovering a horrifying secret beneath St. Dunstan's church that reveals the true scale of Todd's crimes.
Agatha Christie
The Secret Adversary
"The Secret Adversary" by Agatha Christie is a detective novel published in January 1922. Two unemployed young friends, Tommy and Tuppence, form a business seeking adventure and quickly find themselves entangled in a dangerous conspiracy involving a missing woman, a secret treaty from the Lusitania, and a mysterious criminal mastermind known only as "Mr. Brown." Their investigation leads them through deception, kidnapping, and betrayal as they race to recover the treaty before it destabilizes the British government.
Charles Dickens
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens is a novel published in 1870. Dickens's final and unfinished work centers on John Jasper, a cathedral choirmaster and opium addict who desires his pupil Rosa Bud—the fiancée of his nephew Edwin Drood. When Edwin vanishes mysteriously after a tense reconciliation dinner with his rival Neville Landless, suspicion falls on Neville while Jasper's dark obsessions deepen. Set in the cathedral town of Cloisterham, this mystery remains unsolved, as Dickens died before revealing its conclusion.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
King Solomon's Mines
"King Solomon's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard is a novel published in 1885. It follows adventurer Allan Quatermain as he leads an expedition into unexplored Africa to find a missing aristocrat's brother and locate the legendary treasure of King Solomon. The journey takes them across deadly deserts and into a hidden kingdom ruled by a ruthless king. There, they become entangled in ancient prophecies, witch hunts, and a brewing rebellion. Considered the genesis of the lost world literary genre, it captivates with perilous adventure and mystery.
B. M. (Bithia Mary) Croker
In Old Madras
"In Old Madras" by B. M. Croker is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in the tropical setting of Madras (now Chennai), focusing on Captain Geoffrey Mallender as he embarks on a quest to uncover the mystery of his uncle's thirty-year-old disappearance. The tale hints at intrigue, family secrets, and a clash between past and present, woven into the fabric of British India during a time of colonial complexity. The opening of the novel sets a vivid and atmospheric scene, where the oppressive heat of Madras contrasts with the bustling lives of its residents. Captain Mallender, a new arrival to the region, is introduced as a determined young man pacing anxiously in the offices of Brown and Brown & Co., waiting to discuss his uncle’s mysterious fate with the firm that managed his finances. As he reveals his intent to trace his long-lost uncle, the narrative delves into the initial resistance of the firm’s representatives, who harbor their own suspicions. Through Mallender’s encounter, the reader is drawn into a web of family intrigue, potential danger, and the alluring backdrop of colonial India, establishing a rich foundation for the events to come.
Edgar Wallace
The avenger
"The Avenger" by Edgar Wallace is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Captain Mike Brixan, an intelligence officer who is reluctantly drawn into a murder investigation involving a series of grisly decapitations attributed to a notorious figure known as the Head-Hunter. His quest for answers leads him to intrigue, suspense, and a cast of eccentric characters in the world of film production. The opening portion of the novel introduces Captain Brixan as he is summoned back from an important assignment in Berlin to investigate a murder case related to a missing clerk named Francis Elmer, whose head has been discovered by police. As Brixan engages with his superiors at the Foreign Office, he learns more about the gruesome nature of the crime and the unusual circumstances surrounding Elmer's disappearance. The chapter sets a tone of tension and foreshadowing, hinting at a deeper mystery as Brixan encounters various characters, including a film actress named Adele Leamington and the curious figure of Sir Gregory Penne. As he navigates the complexities of the case, it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems, and the danger is far more ominous than he initially anticipated.
Anna Katharine Green
A Strange Disappearance
"A Strange Disappearance" by Anna Katharine Green is a detective novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows the astute detective, Mr. Gryce, as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a young girl named Emily from the house of her employer, Mr. Blake. The novel delves into themes of abduction, secretive relationships, and the quest for truth. The opening of the story introduces readers to a detective's precinct where a woman, distressed and anxious, seeks help after Emily vanishes under suspicious circumstances. The woman, identified as Mrs. Daniels, the housekeeper, reveals that Emily was taken from her room in a manner that suggests foul play. As the detective and his colleague begin their investigation, they uncover several intriguing details that raise questions about Emily's character and her connection to Mr. Blake, all while hints of a potential romantic subplot between Mr. Blake and a mysterious figure who once was his cousin begin to surface. The narrative sets the stage for a tangled web of secrets, driving the plot forward as the search for Emily unfolds.
Justus Miles Forman
The Quest: A Romance
"The Quest: A Romance" by Justus Miles Forman is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds primarily around the central character, Ste. Marie, an enchanting yet complex figure navigating his feelings for the beautiful Helen Benham while grappling with a mysterious family crisis involving her missing brother. The narrative is set against the backdrop of Paris, where themes of love, ambition, and identity intermingle. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Ste. Marie, who is in the company of his friend Hartley as they make their way to a dinner party. There’s a palpable tension in Ste. Marie’s demeanor, hinting at an emotional burden that connects to a sense of calamity he feels in the air. As they journey through the vibrant streets of Paris, the quiet yet haunting presence of a mysterious young woman draws Ste. Marie's attention, igniting a sense of intrigue and longing in him. Additionally, the opening chapters set the stage for the larger plot involving the disappearance of Helen's brother, Arthur Benham, which weighs heavily on the family and intertwines with Ste. Marie's aspirations and romantic pursuits, particularly in relation to Helen, who is grappling with her own conflicts between love and ambition.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Highways in Hiding
"Highways in Hiding" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel published in 1956. When a mysterious spaceborne illness called Mekstrom's Disease begins turning victims into stone, a secret society establishes hidden highways and safe houses to shelter the infected. Against this backdrop, espers and telepaths navigate a world where extraordinary abilities collide with a deadly plague. A cure exists, but those who possess it remain in the shadows, creating an underground network invisible to ordinary society.
S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould
The Pennycomequicks, Volume 3 (of 3)
"The Pennycomequicks, Volume 3 (of 3)" by S. Baring-Gould is a novel written in the late 19th century. This volume continues the story of the Pennycomequick family, particularly focusing on Philip, who is struggling with the absence of his wife, Salome, as well as navigating familial tensions and a complicated past that threatens his future. The novel explores themes of regret, the complexity of relationships, and the challenges of societal expectations, while introducing intriguing new characters and unfolding adventures. The opening of the final volume introduces Philip Pennycomequick as he grapples with his worries over his wife, Salome, who has just departed on a long journey to Switzerland. His restless thoughts reveal deep feelings of longing, anxiety about her well-being, and self-reflection on his treatment of her following the revelation of her parentage. As he prepares for dinner alone, Philip's internal struggle is accentuated by his interactions with the staff, particularly his discomfort at being watched. Through his evening reflections and encounters, the narrative sets the stage for the evolving dynamics and challenges he will face in the wake of family secrets, emotional estrangement, and the return of relatives who complicate matters further. The chapter deftly blends light humor with poignant reflections, hinting at the tumultuous events and character developments to come.
Leigh Brackett
Enchantress of Venus
"Enchantress of Venus" by Leigh Brackett is a science fiction short story published in 1949. Eric John Stark ventures into the mysterious depths of Inner Venus, seeking his missing friend Helvi in the enigmatic town of Shuruun. After plunging into the legendary Red Sea, Stark discovers a world ruled by god-like beings called the Lhari, who command legions of slaves beneath shrouding veils of mist. Betrayed, enslaved, and fighting for survival, Stark must ignite a rebellion to escape this hidden city of secrets.
Mary Frances Outram
Tarnished Silver
"Tarnished Silver" by Mary Frances Outram is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the lives of Mr. Thomas Algernon Field, a wealthy landowner, and his discontented young son, Julius, as they navigate their complicated relationships and aspirations amidst the backdrop of a seaside community. The narrative hints at class struggles and personal conflicts, particularly concerning the mischievous intentions of the local villagers and the persistent obstinacy of an old fisherman, Timothy. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Mr. Field and Julius during a breakfast scene in their lavish home overlooking the sea. Julius expresses disdain for their estate, Farncourt, particularly due to the presence of Timothy Green's cottage, which obstructs their view and is a constant source of irritation for Mr. Field. The complex dynamics between father and son unfold as Mr. Field dismisses Julius's desire for companionship, especially with children outside their societal class. Little does Mr. Field know that this desire will lead Julius to seek friendship with Robin, the son of the widow who lives in the obstructive cottage, setting the stage for coming conflicts and moral explorations.
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