Subject
Police -- England -- Fiction Books
Best books
Agatha Christie
The Secret of Chimneys
"The Secret of Chimneys" by Agatha Christie is a suspenseful detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces the charming Anthony Cade, who finds himself embroiled in a web of intrigue involving royal secrets and political machinations in a fictional Balkan nation known as Herzoslovakia. As he sets off on a journey to deliver a manuscript of memoirs, he stumbles into a world of blackmail, missing persons, and a potential restoration of a monarchy. At the start of the novel, we meet Anthony Cade while he is working as a tour guide in Africa, where he encounters an old friend, Jimmy McGrath. After a light-hearted exchange, McGrath reveals a plan that involves the delivery of Count Stylptitch's memoirs to a publisher in London, which promises a reward of a thousand pounds. Intrigued, Anthony agrees to take on the task, unaware of the dangerous implications, including confrontation with various factions, including a mysterious former royal and potential assassins. The opening sets the stage for a captivating interplay of romance, adventure, and the classic whodunit elements that Agatha Christie is known for.
Wilkie Collins
The Moonstone
"The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins is a novel published in 1868. A cursed Indian diamond, stolen during a colonial siege, arrives as an inheritance for young Rachel Verinder on her eighteenth birthday. That night, the precious stone vanishes from her bedroom, launching a complex investigation involving suspicious servants, mysterious Indian priests, and shocking betrayals. This pioneering detective story unfolds through multiple narrators, each revealing new layers of deception as they race to solve the theft and recover the legendary gem.
Agatha Christie
The Seven Dials mystery
"The Seven Dials Mystery" by Agatha Christie is a detective novel published in 1929. When a house party guest is found dead surrounded by alarm clocks, with one mysteriously missing, it appears to be a tragic accident. But when another death follows with the cryptic words "Seven Dials," Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent finds herself drawn into a dangerous world of secret meetings, masked conspirators, and stolen government formulas. With the help of Superintendent Battle, she must uncover which seemingly innocent guest is actually a cunning international criminal.
Freeman Wills Crofts
The Cask
"The Cask" by Freeman Wills Crofts is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The book revolves around a mysterious murder tied to a cask that contains both money and a severed hand, suggesting a deeper crime. The narrative introduces Mr. Broughton, a young clerk at the Insular and Continental Steam Navigation Company, who discovers the cask during an inspection and becomes embroiled in the unraveling mystery. The opening of the story sets the stage with Broughton at the docks, where he oversees the unloading of a consignment from the ship "Bullfinch." While inspecting the casks, he stumbles upon an unusual barrel that, despite its wine label, holds a disturbing secret: the visible fingers of a woman's hand. Shocked and intrigued, Broughton shares his findings with his foreman, Harkness, and together, they uncover a cache of gold coins within the cask, leading to their initial suspicions that something sinister has occurred. As they resolve to investigate further, they encounter Mr. Léon Felix, a man claiming ownership of the cask. This encounter sets in motion a sequence of events that blur the lines between innocence and guilt, compelling Broughton to report his findings and triggering the involvement of Scotland Yard.
Freeman Wills Crofts
The Pit-Prop Syndicate
"The Pit-Prop Syndicate" by Freeman Wills Crofts is a mystery novel likely written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around Seymour Merriman, a junior partner in a wine merchants' firm, who encounters an intriguing situation while on a business trip in France. The narrative begins with Merriman's journey to Bordeaux, where a peculiar incident concerning a motor lorry and its changing number plate sparks his curiosity, hinting at a deeper mystery related to the operations of a sawmill. At the start of the novel, Merriman, feeling weary and disillusioned after a long ride, encounters a girl named Madeleine Coburn in a remote part of the forest. She helps him with his motorcycle troubles and invites him to the mill, which her father manages. However, Merriman becomes intrigued by the lorry he had seen earlier, marked with different numbers at different times. As he contemplates the implications of this change and the mysterious aura surrounding the Coburns, he decides to investigate further. The opening chapters set the stage for a mix of mystery and adventure as Merriman and his friend, Hilliard, plan to uncover potential secrets behind the mill's operations and the enigmatic number plates, while also exploring their burgeoning interests in the Coburns.
Freeman Wills Crofts
The Ponson case
"The Ponson Case" by Freeman Wills Crofts is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance and subsequent demise of Sir William Ponson, a country squire living at Luce Manor, and follows the investigation led by Inspector Tanner. As the plot unfolds, the reader is introduced to various characters including Sir William's son, Austin Ponson, and the household staff, all of whom may hold clues to the truth behind the tragic incident. The opening of the novel sets the stage with the serene backdrop of Luce Manor, contrasting sharply with the tension brewing beneath the surface. On a seemingly normal evening, Sir William dines alone, and upon the realization of his absence later that night, the household begins a search that escalates into a full investigation. Inspector Tanner soon discovers not only Sir William's body but also the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, leading to the unsettling conclusion that it may have been murder rather than an accident. This initial portion hints at themes of family dynamics, social expectations, and the secrets that can lie hidden behind a placid facade, drawing readers into a compelling mystery.
J. J. Connington
Tragedy at Ravensthorpe
"Tragedy at Ravensthorpe" by J. J. Connington is a detective novel published in 1927. During a fancy dress party at a country estate, thieves attempt to steal valuable medallions from the house's museum room. Chief Constable Sir Clinton Driffield, a guest and old family friend, takes charge of the investigation. When two mysterious deaths follow the failed robbery, he must uncover their connection to the targeted collection in this Golden Age mystery.
Annie Haynes
The Crow's Inn tragedy
"The Crow's Inn Tragedy" by Annie Haynes is a suspenseful murder mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the unsettling events surrounding the death of a respected solicitor, Mr. Luke Bechcombe, whose mysterious demise draws in various characters connected through law, family, and personal struggles. Key figures include the clergyman, Rev. James Collyer, who seeks assistance for his troubled son Tony, and Bechcombe's secretary, Cecily Hoyle, whose interactions with other characters hint at deeper connections and hidden motives. The opening of the novel introduces the somber atmosphere of Messrs. Bechcombe and Turner's law offices, setting the stage for the tension to unfold. Rev. Collyer visits the office to discuss his son’s difficulties after the war, which establishes personal stakes amid the legal framework. Their conversation touches on family dynamics and financial troubles, which are further complicated by a shocking revelation: Bechcombe’s death is discovered to be a murder rather than a natural event. As the narrative progresses, we see a tangled web of relationships, secrets, and motives, which foreshadows the intricate investigation that will follow.
Ronald Gorell Barnes Gorell
In the night
"In the Night" by R. Gorell Barnes is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a quaint English village, bringing into focus the tragic murder of Sir Roger Penterton, a figure cloaked in unpopularity and abruptness. The plot engages a cast of characters including Inspector Humblethorne, who is tasked with unraveling the circumstances surrounding the crime, and Philip Castle, the disturbed secretary whose complex relationship with his employer becomes pivotal to the investigation. At the start of the novel, the setting is established in the quiet village near Salting Towers, where the unexpected murder sets the stage for intrigue and suspicion. The narrative introduces Inspector Humblethorne as he begins his holiday only to be drawn into the investigation of Sir Roger's violent death. Another central character, Philip Castle, is revealed to have had a contentious relationship with Sir Roger, hinting at underlying tensions that may provide motive for the crime. As villagers react to the shocking news, the opening builds suspense and lays the groundwork for the detective story to unfold, inviting readers to delve into the relationships and mysteries that will be explored throughout the unfolding tale.
Victor L. (Victor Lorenzo) Whitechurch
The Templeton case
"The Templeton Case" by Victor L. Whitechurch is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story opens in the quaint seaside village of Marsh Quay, where the characters and setting lay the foundation for a mystery involving murder, intrigue, and clues that weave together the lives of various individuals, particularly revolving around the enigmatic Reginald Templeton. Readers can expect to delve into a web of relationships and secrets as Detective-Sergeant Colson pursues the truth behind the crime. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Tom Gale, a laid-back crewman of a small schooner, and the arrival of Reginald Templeton on a yacht. Templeton's engagement in boating and a mysterious visit across the estuary hint at deeper connections and potential motives. As Templeton's fate takes a grim turn with his murder discovered soon after by his crew member, Jim Webb, the tension escalates. Characters like Mrs. Yates, the landlady of the "Mariner’s Arms," and Mr. Proctor, a local gentleman, become entwined in the unfolding investigation. The narrative expertly sets the stage for a classic whodunit, promising misdirection and evolving clues as Detective-Sergeant Colson works diligently to untangle the mystery surrounding Templeton's death.
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