Showing results by author "J. S. Fletcher" in All Categories

'The Man in the Fur Coat' is a fast-paced adventure in which a young journalist on the verge of destitution is picked out of the crowd by a well-dressed stranger in a fur coat. The wealthy man has a very strange proposition for the young writer. But first he must perform a bizarre treasure hunt through London collecting clues from mysterious strangers. Eventually he finds the meaning of the whole weird tale...and it is stranger than he could ever have imagined.

Jacob Herapath, a prominent property developer and member of Parliament, is discovered dead in his office, a revolver resting beside him and a bullet wound in his head. As investigators delve into the case, the discovery of a suspiciously forged Will raises the stakes. Who stands to gain from Jacob's untimely demise? This gripping tale weaves through layers of deception, revealing family secrets and hidden motives. With each twist, listeners will find themselves drawn deeper into a web of intrigue, where nothing is as it seems. Experience the thrill of unraveling a complex mystery filled with ...

In the remote moors, a puzzling death sets off a chain of events that leads to hidden secrets and unexpected twists. J. S. Fletcher's 'Exterior to the Evidence' immerses listeners in a captivating mystery where a missing will raises questions about loyalty and greed. As the story unfolds, several suspects emerge, each with their own motives and alibis, keeping you guessing until the very end. The tension builds as the investigator delves deeper into the lives of those connected to the deceased, exposing dark truths and tangled relationships. With rich descriptions and a gripping plot, this ...

A high ranking police official is found dead, and the question lingers: who killed him? As the investigation unfolds, the discovery of a glamorous photo of one of two high-profile sisters in the victim's pocket raises suspicions. J. S. Fletcher masterfully weaves a web of intriguing characters, including a determined lawyer, his resourceful assistant, and a clever police spy. Each character follows their own leads, revealing secrets and motives that intertwine in unexpected ways. The stakes rise as the detectives race against time to uncover the truth and unravel the connections between the ...

In the bustling town of Highmarket, Messrs. Mallalieu and Cotherstone have built their lives on success and respect. As the Mayor and Treasurer, they seem untouchable—until an unexpected arrival shakes the foundations of their carefully crafted reputations. An ex-detective with a murky past moves to town, bringing with him long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked for. As whispers of old crimes resurface, the community finds itself drawn into a web of intrigue, where trust is scarce and danger lurks at every corner. Can the two men protect their hard-earned ...

A mysterious death in the heart of London sets the stage for an enthralling investigation. In 'Middle Temple Murder,' renowned journalist finds himself drawn into a web of intrigue after stumbling upon the lifeless body of an elderly man in a law chamber late at night. What secrets lie behind the victim's identity? Why was he there, and who would commit such a shocking act? As our reporter follows the clues, the journey takes him from the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of Cornwall and Yorkshire. Each twist reveals more about the characters involved and deepens the mystery....

A classic English murder mystery story, set in the legal center of London draws the reluctant attention of a journalist as he makes his way home after a long night on the job. But his newshound instincts kick in. Who is the elderly man? What was he doing at the law chambers in the middle of the night? Why had someone seen fit to strike him on the back of the head? As this convoluted tale weaves its way from London to Cornwall to Yorkshire and back to London, it will keep you guessing until the end.

This classic mystery produces its first dead body during a clandestine midnight meeting. Already nothing is what it seems... (Summary by Gesine)

“Rotten borough” is a term that goes back to the 18th century, and it used to mean a parliamentary constituency in which a few property owners, or sometimes a single one, could choose the local member of parliament. The three Reform Acts of 1832, 1857 and 1884 brought that system to an end and by the time this book begins, a rotten borough has taken on its more modern meaning of a constituency whos rules allow a handful of people to profit secretly from the borough’s finances. In one such borough a new mayor, victor by a margin of single vote, has been working on a reform program and is ...

In the dead of night, Marshall Allerdyke is racing from London to Hull, driven by an urgent telegram from his cousin. As he approaches Hull, a striking woman flags him down, seeking directions to Scotland—an odd request at such a late hour. Distracted by his own pressing concerns, Allerdyke continues on his way. Upon arriving in Hull, he is met with a shocking revelation his cousin is dead in his hotel room, and a valuable shipment of jewels has vanished. The only lead he has is the enigmatic woman who was in such a hurry to leave. What secrets lie in her wake? (Summary by MaryAnn)

On the southern edge of the populous parish of Paddington, England, in a parallelogram bounded by Oxford and Cambridge Terrace on the south, Praed Street on the north, and by Edgware Road on the east and Spring Street on the west, lies an assemblage of mean streets, the drab dullness of which forms a remarkable contrast to the pretentious architectural grandeurs of Sussex Square and Lancaster Gate, close by. In these streets the observant will always find all those evidences of depressing semi-poverty which are more evident in London than in any other English city.

Hathelsborough marketplace lies in the middle of the town—a long, somewhat narrow parallelogram, enclosed on its longer side by old gabled houses; shut in on its western end by the massive bulk of the great parish church of St. Hathelswide, Virgin and Martyr, and at its eastern by the ancient walls and high roofs of its medieval Moot Hall. The inner surface of this space is paved with cobble-stones, worn smooth by centuries of usage.

It seems very unreal but the author is not only top-notch with his plot handling but he never strays from the bounds of reason. It isn’t easy to fool someone like detective sergeant Blick of Scotland Yard, but he does it. Blick is called in by an archeologist named Mr. Fransenmery to help solve the killing of Guy Markenmore, who had been away from the area for seven years and had returned because of the expected death of his father.

When a famous actor goes missing, the search leads playwright Richard Copplestone to the seaside town of Scarhaven. Every clue seems to bring about more questions as the intrigue goes much deeper than anyone suspects. Copplestone uncovers layer after layer of dark secrets, many of them involving the attractive Audrey Greyle and her family. If Copplestone does not discover the truth soon, he risks endangering the lives of the friends he has made in Scarhaven, including Audrey.

In the whole history of the English people there is no period so absolutely heroic, so full of enthralling interest, as that in which the might of England made itself apparent by land and sea—the period which saw good Queen Bess mistress of English hearts and Englishmen and sovereign of the great beginnings which came to such a magnificent fruition under Victoria. That was indeed a golden time—an age of great venture and enterprise—a period wherein men’s hearts were set on personal valor and bravery—the day of great deeds and of courage most marvelous.

Richard Viner is basically an average young man on the street who, more or less accidentally, finds a dead body in a dimly lit alley while he’s taking his usual nightly stroll. He calls police and when they arrive they figure it’s likely a robbery gone wrong because the dead man’s valuables are missing. However, a prime suspect is arrested trying to pawn some jewelry belonging to the victim. He happens to be an old school-mate of Viner. Viner discovers the old chum is down and out and needs the money, so he decides to investigate and try get his pal vindicated.

It was a lonely English courtyard where attorneys received traditional apprenticeship … one of the ancient Inns of Court. The bludgeoned body of a well-dressed elderly man was found there at midnight, an apparent murder victim. Investigative newspaper reporter Frank Spargo was one of the first to arrive at the crime scene and he was puzzled about why such a prosperous looking man had been wandering there at that time of night. The only item found on the body was a small paper with a young barrister’s address.

The main characters are Dr. Mark Ransford, his two wards, Mary and Dick Bewery, and one Dr. Pemberton Bryce - an assistant to Dr. Ransford. Bryce makes unwelcome advances to Mary Bewery and Ransford, after having warned him against these advances, dismisses Bryce. Bryce sets out to make Mary his own while suspecting Ransford and implicate him in the murders. A surprising twist toward the end of the story.

Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1935) was a British journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction. He was one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Victorian golden age of the short story. This collection brings together some of the finest and most diverse examples of Fletcher's genius. 'The Ivory God' is the tale of a failing writer who acquires a strange ivory carving of an Indian god. He becomes convinced that the statue is communicating with him, taking possession of him, even writing through him.

Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863 – 1935) was a British journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction. He was one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Victorian "Golden Age" of the short story. "The Earl, the Warder and the Wayward Heiress" is the story of a ten thousand pound bet between young gentlemen in their club.