J. S. Fletcher

The London police have a baffling murder on their hands. An unidentified man has been bludgeoned to death in the Middle Temple Lane, but there is no weapon at the scene and practically nothing to go on. Frank Spargo, a young reporter covering the story, is almost ready to go home when he decides, almost on a whim, to follow the body to the morgue. One small clue has already surfaced--a gray cap which appears to have been newly purchased at a fashionable shop in the West End--and his intuition tells him something may turn up.

In Joseph Smith Fletcher's (1863-1935) "Golden Age" detective novel, John Horbury, manager of Chestermarke's bank in the village of Scarnham, vanishes overnight and one of Scotland Yard's best takes on the challenge of finding him.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

In the heart of London's prestigious Harley Street stands a foreboding mansion, shrouded in mystery and whispered tales of dark secrets. "The Black-House" is a place where shadows linger, and the echoes of its past reverberate through its halls. Renowned author J. S. Fletcher invites readers on a gripping journey into the depths of this enigmatic residence. Richard Goulbourn, a humble clerk, comes into a fortune that enables him to start courting the beautiful and rich Moira. He and his sister move into the house next to the black house in Harley Street where Moira lives with her uncle, Dr. van Mildert, her uncle's assistant, Miss Lamotte, and some very sinister servants. But there are undercurrents of evil. Soon the young people find themselves embroiled with an evil mastermind. Kidnappings, ransoms, stolen diamonds, a booby-trapped house, hypnotism, escapees . . . all the elements for a ripping Victorian mystery are present. As they delve deeper into the secrets of The Black-House, they unearth a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and long-buried sins. From hidden passages to whispered confessions, each revelation brings them closer to the heart of the mystery, but also places them squarely in the sights of a shadowy figure who will stop at nothing to protect the secrets that lie within." The Black-House in Harley Street" is a masterful blend of gothic atmosphere, intricate plotting, and spine-tingling suspense. With its richly drawn characters and meticulously crafted narrative, this gripping tale will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final, chilling revelation.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

It was early one morning when going down to bathe that Roland Lawson came suddenly upon a grim spectacle-the body of Monsieur Auberge, stabbed to death. Why had this Frenchman been murdered just after his arrival in England? A murder in Paris makes the case more baffling, more mysterious. Detective-Sergeant Perivale collaborates with Pelabos, the French detective, to unravel a singular situation. This detective story is intriguing and exciting, and the thrill of deep mystery is well sustained. Beginning with what appears to be an ordinary murder with robbery as the motive, the story develops new angles in each succeeding chapter. Mystery is piled on mystery, with English and French detectives working together to find the criminals and the motives for the crime. They are no superman, these detectives of Mr. Fletcher's. Time after time they are baffled, and in the end they do solve the mystery." The Passenger to Folkestone" by J. S. Fletcher is a captivating mystery novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the picturesque landscapes of early 20th-century England. J. S. Fletcher masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers guessing at every turn. The characters, each with their own motives and secrets, add depth to the plot, making it impossible to predict the outcome. With its richly developed characters, evocative setting, and a plot full of unexpected twists, this novel is a must-read for fans of classic mysteries and historical fiction. When J. S. Fletcher sets out to write a mystery story, as he frequently does, he usually makes a workmanlike job of it. "The Passenger to Folkestone" is no exception; indeed, it is one of Fletcher's best. -New York Times Review, September 19, 1927