Showing results by author "J. Fletcher" in All Categories

When wealthy industrialist and land owner John Mallathorpe passes away in an unfortunate accident without a known will, his estate falls into the hands of his wife and children. They live a lavish lifestyle until a humble bookseller uncovers Mallathorpes hidden will inside a book from the estate. The will reveals a shocking truth - the entire estate, save for a small sum for the family, has been left to the city authorities. The bookseller, seeking legal advice, dies unexpectedly in a solicitors office. A keen-eyed clerk spots an opportunity to exploit this newfound knowledge for personal gain...

Fighting her way from humble beginnings in a foster home to CEO of her own highly respected international company hasn't been easy for Hilary Brand. Even after she seems to have reached the top, troubles abound: her business in China, always fraught with problems, is in peril; and her archnemesis, Haskins Gould - once her closest business associate but now her greatest enemy - is gaining traction in his unceasing determination to destroy all she has created.

1826, Van Diemen's Land. When her father dies in a duel, 17-year-old Emma Tregellas is left with limited funds and at the mercy of her odious guardian. Faced with the prospect of being forced into marriage with a man she detests, she enlists the help of her true love, Ephraim Dark, who assists her to escape to faraway Van Diemen's Land. Here she seeks sanctuary with her wealthy uncle, Barnsley Tregellas.

Born in poverty, transported for theft, and in love with a charismatic but dangerous man - for Cat Haggard the Tasmanian Governor’s House is not merely a beautiful building but a symbol of all she hopes to obtain in life. From convict, bushranger, and accused pirate, Cat transforms herself into an entrepreneur and pillar of colonial Tasmanian society. But how is she connected to a missing ship?

No-one thought barmaid Shannon Harcourt stood a chance with Hal Maitland, heir to the vast Maitland fortune. Yet their unlikely relationship flourishes until, one summer's day on the white sands of Charles Green Island, they realise their true feelings for each other - feelings that must motivate them to survive the coming war. Forty years on, Shannon, a successful businesswoman, and younger sister Jess, an accomplished chef, have left their days of poverty far behind. Shannon now has her sights set on purchasing the island where her young love began.

Dive into this riveting classic mystery where a covert midnight rendezvous results in the startling discovery of the first dead body. Unravel the enigma where nothing is as it seems.

The new compelling saga from Australia's master storyteller. Journalist Thea Anderson’s adventurous life has been one of endless danger. Even her childhood, where she and her mother were forced to flee Malaya in the fish-stinking hold of a junk in the dying days of colonialism, was fraught with peril. For a time it seemed she would find safe harbour in Tasmania in the arms of winemaker Peter Torrance, but her restless spirit cannot be contained....

This is the story of four remarkable women. Dorrie, who in the dying years of the 19th century, dares to defy the conventions of her time by running away with an artist. The ambitious Roberta, who rides roughshod over all opposition in her single-minded desire to reach her goals. The gentle Louise, who defies her own nature to find the strength to pursue her personal happiness. And finally Ruth, who survived the terrors of the Second World War only to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

'Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea' is the tale of two enemies abandoned on a deserted island. Pierre Rochelle, a convict escaped from a French penal colony, has been living alone on a remote Pacific island for the past three years, with no means of escape. Then one day he finds a man asleep on the beach on the far side of the island. The new arrival has just been marooned by his mutineering shipmates. Even as he still sleeps, Rochelle recognizes him as Gaston Charette - his own mortal enemy, the man whose false testimony had sent him to the penal colony in the first place.

There was only one way she could guarantee her future ... and she knew that she would take it. Bella Tucker has come a long way. Born illegitimate and banished to the London slums by her vindictive stepmother, at six Bella is rescued by her grandfather and brought up as a member of the aristocratic Richmond family. Her future seems assured when she falls passionately in love with Charles Hardy, heir to the wealthy Hardy estate – until her grandfather’s death changes everything...

Nestled in the tranquility of a cathedral town in England, a web of gossip, secrets, and deception unravels around characters who are not all they appear to be. This captivating murder mystery unfolds in a setting as intriguing as the people who inhabit it. (Summary by Gesine)

The unassuming Leonard Middlebrook, a young lawyer with a penchant for bibliographical pursuits, finds himself embroiled in a thrilling mystery that spans from the British Isles to the Far East. His journey begins when he is invited to the secluded Ravensdene Court on the Northumbrian coast, where Francis Raven, a retired Indian careerist, requires assistance in sorting through a vast collection of books and artifacts. As Leonard delves deeper into the task, he becomes the epicenter of a chilling enigma that threatens not just him, but also the lively Miss Raven, Franciss niece. Join Leonard ...

Embark on a gripping journey with investigative journalist Richard Brixey as he delves into the heart of ancient Silchester, England, in a desperate search for his vanished uncle, Mr. Linthwaite. From the haunting ruins of the Priory to unyielding potential witnesses, every turn holds a new mystery. Encounter the enigmatic Mrs. Byfield and uncover her deeply hidden ties to Mr. Linthwaite. What clandestine plot did Mr. Linthwaite unwittingly discover, leading to his sudden disappearance? Is he still among the living or has he met a grim fate? Amidst the intrigue, will the charismatic Brixey ...

Journey into the heart of a “rotten borough” and uncover its secrets. This term, rooted in the 18th century, represents a parliamentary constituency where few property owners had the power to elect a local member of parliament. But what happens when this system is replaced by a new one that still allows a select few to secretly profit from the boroughs finances? Following a narrow victory, a newly elected mayor, committed to reforming this corrupt system, is found mysteriously murdered in the Mayors Parlour. His young nephew, visiting from London, takes it upon himself to unravel ...

Dive into an intricate English murder mystery set within the heart of Londons legal district. A weary journalist, returning home after a demanding night at work, stumbles upon the puzzling scene of a crime. An elderly man lays dead in the law chambers, struck from behind. As his investigative instincts take over, our protagonist is drawn into a labyrinth of secrets and lies stretching from London to Cornwall to Yorkshire. Will the truth remain buried or will justice prevail? Stay tuned to unravel the twisted tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last moment.

After a lengthy seven-year absence, Guy Markenmore makes a dramatic return to his ancestral home, Markenmore Court, just as his father Sir Anthony draws his last breaths. Keen to put his younger siblings at ease, he promises not to stake a claim on the family fortune, even as he stands to inherit the family title. However, the night Sir Anthony passes, a shocking twist ensues - Guy is brutally killed on the downs. The inheritance is no longer the focus; the spotlight now falls on Detective Blick, entrusted with the daunting task of unveiling the truth behind the mysterious deaths at Markenmore...

Embark on a thrilling journey with Viner as his routine late-night walk in Markendale Square unexpectedly entangles him in a web of mysteries. With a murder, secret papers, and an imposter stirring the plot, even the police are left baffled. As the question of Hydes innocence hangs in the balance, Viner is faced with peculiar clues - a veiled woman, a diamond ring, and a growing suspicion that things are not as they appear to be. Can Viner unravel the truth and prove Hydes innocence?

Dive into the enthralling mystery surrounding the sudden death of Jacob Herapath, a prominent property tycoon and Member of Parliament. Found lifeless in his office with a revolver and a bullet wound to his head, the enigma only deepens with the discovery of a suspiciously forged will. This captivating puzzle is filled with unexpected twists and unpredictable turns, all narrated engagingly by Richard Kilmer.

Dive into the thrilling mystery world of J. S. Fletchers Exterior to the Evidence. First published in the April 1922 edition of The Black Mask, a renowned detective and mystery magazine, this engrossing novel unravels a chilling death on the moors, an elusive missing will, and a myriad of potential culprits. As the story unfolds, the suspense will hold you captive until the very end. This gripping narration is brought to life by the talented J. M. Smallheer.

The mysterious disappearance of bank manager John Hornbury, along with valuable securities and jewels from the banks vault, leaves everyone in a state of shock. Unexpectedly, Gabriel Chestermarke and his nephew Joseph decline to involve the police. Just as a detective from Scotland Yard steps in, the plot thickens when Betty Fosdyke, Johns niece, refuses to believe her uncles apparent betrayal. Unwilling to be a mere spectator, Betty teams up with the chief clerk from Chestermarkes bank, plunging headfirst into the midst of the enigma. Dive into this riveting tale of mystery and intrigue, ...