The Big Bow Mystery
'The Big Bow Mystery' Summary
Regarded as the first full-length locked room mystery, the novel focuses on a murder that has occurred inside a locked room, with no clear indication as to the weapon used, the perpetrator of the horrendous crime, or a possible escape route. Needless to say, The Big Bow Mystery has all the elements necessary to engage its audience and encourage them to look between the lines in an attempt to unravel the complex murder.
Set in Bow, east London, the novel opens when Mrs. Drabdump, a widow who rents out rooms, panics when one of her lodgers does not respond to her fervent attempts to wake him. In a moment of distress, she seeks the help of her neighbor George Grodman, incidentally a former detective, who eventually forces his way inside the room. Consequently, they witness a gruesome sight, as they find Arthur Constant dead, his throat slashed. Astounded by the strange circumstances under which the murder has occurred, bearing in mind that the door and windows were locked and secured from the inside with no apparent way of leaving the crime scene, the case is truly baffling. Moreover, the motive for the murder is also a mystery, as Constant was a likeable man, known for his efforts to help the working class. The perplexing case is taken up by Grodman and Inspector Edward Wimp, who share a mutual detest, yet amusingly play along with an act of cordiality. Nevertheless, they go out of their way to unravel the mystery that has left everyone awestruck.
Zangwill efficiently combines an absorbing plot, a witty selection of characters, a list of Dickensian names, humor, and a puzzling murder waiting to be solved, to create a piece renowned for its sardonic style and satirical portrayal of Victorian London. Certain to keep one guessing to the very end, the novel offers many clues, however, only to meticulous observers.
Book Details
Author
Israel Zangwill
United Kingdom
Israel Zangwill was a British author at the forefront of cultural Zionism during the 19th century, and was a close associate of Theodor Herzl. He later rejected the search for a Jewish homeland in Pal...
More on Israel ZangwillDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Dead Men Tell Tales by Harry Rimmer
It explores the dark world of pirates and buried treasures. The book, written in the mid-20th century, is a gripping tale of adventure and mystery tha...
The Sandman: His Farm Stories by William John Hopkins
This is a delightful collection of heartwarming tales set against the backdrop of a charming farm. Written with a touch of whimsy and a deep understan...
The Masquerader by Katherine Cecil Thurston
The Masquerader is a novel by the Irish writer Katherine Cecil Thurston which was first published in 1904. It was the third most popular book in the U...
Dead Men's Money by Joseph Smith Fletcher
A naïve but sincere young lawyer's assistant who only dreams of marrying his childhood sweetheart and yearns to have a home and family with her. His s...
Unravelled Knots by Emma Orczy
Unravelled Knots is the third and final installment of the Old Man in the Corner stories by Baroness Orczy. After a break of several years, Polly retu...
The Isle of Dead Ships by Crittenden Marriott
It tells the story of an American journalist named Jerry Delaney, who is sent to the island of Malta to investigate a series of mysterious disappearan...
Nan Sherwood at Lakeview Hall by Annie Roe Carr
Nan Sherwood is about to embark on the summer of a lifetime. Nan Sherwood is a curious and adventurous young girl who loves to explore. When she is i...
The Smoking Leg and Other Stories by John Metcalfe
It is a captivating collection of short stories that will transport young readers into a world of mystery, imagination, and adventure. Written by the...
The Day Will Come by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
In the heart of Victorian England, where social conventions and hidden desires intertwine, Mary Elizabeth Braddon's captivating novel, "The Day Will C...
The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar by Maurice Leblanc
Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar is the first collection of stories by Maurice Leblanc recounting the adventures of Arsène Lupin, released on 10 June 1...
Reviews for The Big Bow Mystery
No reviews posted or approved, yet...