The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab

A new edition of the classic work of nineteenth century mystery fiction, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, by Fergus Hume (1859-1932). Originally published in 1886, and set in Victorian-era Melbourne, Australia, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is the story of a mysterious body discovered in a hansom cab. The ensuing homicide investigation, led by our protagonist Detective Gorby, draws us into the long buried secrets of the rich and influential Frettlby family and the class struggles that divide the rich and poor in Victorian-era Melbourne, Australia. A lively and engaging novel, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is still a sensational read for lovers of mysteries stories, and is also a must-read for fans of the genre as a pivotal example of the evolution of the genre from sensationalist crime literature to complex detective thrillers. The Mystery of a Hansom Cab was Australia's first international bestselling novel and remains one of the bestselling detective novels of the 19th century. Published one year prior to Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study In Scarlet, it was ground-breaking and genre-defining, and in fact old-sold this first of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels.

This early work by Fergus Hume was originally published in 1888 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Madame Midas' is a tale of Australian mining life. Fergusson Wright Hume was born on 8th July 1859 in England, the second son of Dr. James Hume. The family migrated to New Zealand where Fergus was enrolled at Otago Boys' High School, and later continued his legal and literary studies at the University of Otago. Hume returned to England in 1888 where he resided in London for a few years until moving to the Essex countryside. There he published over 100 novels, mainly in the mystery fiction genre, though none had the success of his début work.

Edwards skillfully weaves the strands together [in] this twisty whodunit.'''' -Publishers Weekly ''''Edwards, ever the professional, plots densely but lucidly and includes a surprisingly logical killer.'''' -Kirkus Reviews A notice announcing that Harry Devlin died suddenly on Midsummer's Eve arrives at the office of his law firm one June day. Harry isn't happy to read it: Midsummer's Eve is less than a week away. His partner Jim Crusoe treats the message as a joke, but Harry isn't so sure. Meanwhile, young women are being murdered in Harry's home city of Liverpool. When a friend who has asked to meet him becomes the latest victim, Harry becomes a suspect. He's soon fighting for survival on two fronts. Even as he unravels the shocking secret behind the murders, Harry must discover and confront the enemy who wants him dead if he is to live to see Midsummer's Day. This atmospheric, fast-moving and intricate thriller features Harry Devlin, one of modern crime fiction's most memorable amateur detectives, in the deadliest case of his life. Martin Edwards has published 12 novels: eight featuring Harry Devlin and three Lake District Mysteries. He has twice been short-listed for a CWA Dagger and The Coffin Trail was short-listed for the Theakston's prize for best crime novel of 2006.

Before there was Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, there was Fergus Hume’s The Mystery of a Hansom Cab—the biggest- and fastest-selling detective novel of the 1800s, and Australia’s first literary blockbuster. Fergus Hume was an aspiring playwright when he moved from Dunedin to Melbourne in 1885. He wrote The Mystery of a Hansom Cab with the humble hope of bringing his name to the attention of theatre managers. The book sold out its first run almost instantly and it became a runaway word-of-mouth phenomenon—but its author sold the copyright for a mere fifty pounds, missing out on a potential fortune. Blockbuster! is the engrossing story of a book that would help define the genre of crime fiction, and a portrait of a great city in full bloom. Rigorously researched and full of arresting detail, this captivating book is a must-read for all fans of true crime, history and crime fiction alike.

This carefully crafted ebook: "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB (Thriller Classic)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a mystery novel, which takes place in Melbourne, Australia. It focuses on the investigation of a homicide involving a body discovered in a hansom cab, as well as an exploration into the social class divide in the city. The city of Melbourne plays a significant role in the plot and, as the author describes: "Over all the great city hung a cloud of smoke like a pall." Fergus Hume (1859-1932) was a prolific English novelist. His self-published novel, "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab", became a great success. It eventually became the best selling mystery novel of the Victorian era, author John Sutherland terming it the "most sensationally popular crime and detective novel of the century".

Reproduction of the original.

A self-absorbed and greedy gentleman, falling into debt, pressures his sister to marry a loveless rich man so that the gentleman can suck as much money as possible out of his spouse. The sister then does so, and with honour she represses the love she feels for her cousin, who is poor and heir to the title. And the cousin also has an honorable way about her, staying away from her and painting a beautiful gypsy girl in a little house in the woods, near the gypsy camp.