The Riddle of the Purple Emperor by Mary E. Hanshew and Thomas W. Hanshew

"The Riddle of the Purple Emperor" by Mary E. and Thomas W. Hanshew is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Hamilton Cleek, a master detective known as "The Man of Forty Faces," who is drawn into a mystery involving a young woman, Lady Margaret Cheyne, and her family’s valuable jewels, particularly the infamous "Purple Emperor," a diamond with a dark history. The narrative is set against the backdrop of intrigue and danger as Cleek uncovers layers of deception surrounding the Cheyne family. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to the bustling atmosphere of Charing Cross Station as Cleek eagerly awaits the return of Ailsa Lorne from Paris. However, he encounters Lady Margaret, who has arrived alone and weary from her journey, having been overlooked at the station. Ailsa persuades Cleek to assist her in driving Lady Margaret to her newly inherited home, Cheyne Court, where dark secrets await. As Cleek drives, he learns of the ominous history tied to the family jewels and the potential dangers that they carry, especially considering the strange figures Margaret encountered on her journey. Through masterful prose, the opening sets a suspenseful tone that hints at a complex riddle and impending tragedy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Hanshew, Mary E.
Author Hanshew, Thomas W., 1857-1914
Title The Riddle of the Purple Emperor
Credits E-text prepared by Annie R. McGuire from page images generously made available by the Google Books Library Project (books.google.com)
Reading Level Reading ease score: 80.0 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Detective and mystery stories
Subject Cleek, Hamilton (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 43135
Release Date
Last Update Oct 23, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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