The Black Patch

Name: The Black Patch
Author: Fergus Hume

By Fergus Hume

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Crime, Thrillers & Mystery

About This Book

A reclusive, avaricious man is found murdered with his throat cut, prompting a rural police inquiry and a coroner's inquest. Central figures include a young woman who withholds information for family reasons, a journalist, the victim's hostile stepfather, and neighbors whose conflicting accounts emerge. Examination of wills, past histories, and chance coincidences links financial motives, concealed relationships, and long‑standing grievances to the crime. The investigation unfolds through testimony and revelations that gradually expose culpability and bring a decisive disclosure resolving the mystery and confronting the moral consequences of the victim's conduct.

About the Author

Fergus Hume

Fergus Hume was a prolific British author known for his contributions to detective fiction and the occult romance genre. He gained significant popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with his works often exploring themes of mystery and the supernatural. One of his most notable novels, "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," became a bestseller and established him as a key figure in the development of the detective story. Hume's writing is characterized by intricate plots and a keen understanding of human psychology, making his stories engaging and thought-provoking. His diverse body of work includes titles such as "A Coin of Edward VII: A Detective Story" and "A Son of Perdition: An Occult Romance."