The Middle Temple Murder
'The Middle Temple Murder' Summary
Midnight. A lonely courtyard. The dead body of a stranger—a prosperous looking, well dressed, elderly man is found in Middle Temple Lane, London. This is one of England's ancient Inns of Court where barristers were traditionally apprenticed and carried on their work. Middle Temple is just a few minutes walk away from busy Fleet Street and the Thames Embankment. In the dead man's pocket is a piece of paper with the name and address of a young barrister. One of the first people to reach the crime scene is the investigative reporter, Frank Spargo, who writes for a leading London newspaper, The Watchman. Spargo is puzzled. Why would such a person be wandering about here at this hour? This extraordinary discovery draws Spargo into a labyrinthine web of intrigue, murder and crime in high places.
The Middle Temple Murder by Joseph Smith Fletcher was first published in 1919 and is a great example of the classical English detective story. Joseph Smith Fletcher initially embarked on a career in law but soon switched to journalism. He was also a gifted poet and his first published work was a book of poetry. He went on to write some very notable books of historical fiction and history. This led to his becoming a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
However, he turned to writing mysteries in 1914, the era which is considered the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. He wrote more than 100 detective novels which were extremely well received and gave him good financial returns.
Fletcher's style may seem a little dated, and since it was written more than a century ago, there are elements which may seem politically incorrect to us, but he manages to create a sinister atmosphere and keeps you guessing till the end. Being the work of a writer of history, The Middle Temple Murder is also full of interesting nuggets of information and ambiance that evoke the London of the early 1900s. It is also an early example of the “procedural” crime story, where the facts become available to the reader in a logical sequence yet the identity of the criminal is kept hidden.
If you enjoy the vintage mystery story full of atmosphere and one that presents a nice little puzzle, The Middle Temple Murder is certainly a great choice!
Book Details
Authors
J. S. Fletcher
England
Joseph Smith Fletcher (7 February 1863 – 30 January 1935) was an English journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction, and was...
Books by J. S. FletcherDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
Related books
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
A Study in Scarlet is an 1887 detective novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, w...
The Bartlett Mystery by Louis Tracy
This is a fast-paced mystery, set in New York City, has two or three really interesting ("round") characters, a solid plot, no cheap plot-twists, two...
Unravelled Knots by Baroness Emma Orczy
In Baroness Orczy's 'Unravelled Knots,' the enigmatic Old Man in the Corner returns to the familiar setting of the ABC Tea Shop. Polly, a regular patr...
Romance of the Forest by Ann Radcliffe
Published in 1791, "The Romance of the Forest" is a Gothic novel by Ann Radcliffe, a prominent figure in the genre. The story follows Adeline, a young...
Sheriff Larrabee's Prisoner by Max Brand
Sheriff Larrabee's Prisoner is a classic Western mystery novel by Max Brand, set against the backdrop of a remote ranch in the American West. The stor...
Six Little Ducklings by Katharine Pyle
On a foggy morning in the enchanting woodlands of Willowbrook, an extraordinary tale of bravery and friendship is about to unfold. In this heartwarmi...
Case Of The Registered Letter by Auguste Groner
In "The Case of the Registered Letter," a man is found dead, and the prime suspect maintains his innocence. The story unravels as evidence points to h...
Drums of Jeopardy by Harold MacGrath
The Drums of Jeopardy is a 1920 American novel by Harold MacGrath. The story was serialized by the The Saturday Evening Post beginning in January of 1...
The Man Who Knew Too Much by Gilbert K. Chesterton
Robbery, murder and treason. Strange happenings in quiet English villages. A book critic who happens to find a corpse with its head crushed, an Irish...
Evil Guest by Sheridan Le Fanu
In Sheridan Le Fanu's 'The Evil Guest,' a sense of unease pervades a desolate and remote dwelling. The arrival of an unexpected visitor throws the hou...
Reviews for The Middle Temple Murder
No reviews posted or approved, yet...