The Opal Serpent

Name: The Opal Serpent
Author: Fergus Hume

By Fergus Hume

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British Literature Crime, Thrillers & Mystery

About This Book

A young country heir rebels against his domineering father and goes to the city to pursue a literary life, where a romance with a young woman is disrupted when a treasured opal serpent brooch disappears after his street accident. The incident triggers scandal, accusation and a criminal trial, while a persistent investigator pieces together conflicting testimony, secret motives, and hidden identities. Subplots of genteel hypocrisy, familial control and social pretence weave through scenes of domestic quarrel, parties, and travels, leading to a final explanation that resolves betrayals and uncovers the brooch's fate.

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."