Showing results by author "William Le Queux" in All Categories

Uncover the tantalizing mystery of wealth, deceit, and danger with bachelors Gilbert Greenwood and Reginald Seton. When Greenwood stumbles upon a man and his daughter after a fox hunt, his life takes an unexpected turn as he delves into their quest for a secret capable of unimaginable wealth. The man, Burton Blair, soon amasses his fortune, but dies under suspicious circumstances. His daughter Mabel, Greenwood, and Seton find themselves caught in a web of mystery involving an unknown executor of Blairs will and a cryptic code. Is this code the key to Blairs sudden prosperity? Is Mabel as ...

Seven strange stories of intriguing optical illusions. The Diamond Lens by Fitz James O'BrienThe Devil's Spectacles by Wilkie CollinsThe Secret of the Smoked Spectacles by William Le QueuxMy Black Mirror by Wilkie CollinsThe Man who was Blind by Edwin PughA Coincidence by A. J. AlanTitbottom’s Spectacles by George William Curtis.

A gripping collection of classic spy stories by some of the great early masters of espionage fiction: 'The Secret of the Black Bag' by William Le Queux, 'How I Became a Secret Agent' by Dr. A. K. Graves, 'The Secret of the Smoked Spectacles' by William Le Queux,'The 39 Steps' by John Buchan, 'Matahari and Some Other Women Spies' by Sir Basil Thomson, 'The Secret of Dr. Vaux’s Intrigue' by William Le Queux.

Dive into a captivating tale of mystery, suspense, and romance that unfolds against the backdrop of Englands bustling streets filled with omnibuses and shop girls. Experience the clash of societal changes as the lives of the gentry intertwine with those of the less fortunate. With a rich tapestry of characters and a nail-biting conclusion, this story promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. - Summary by Sandra Cullum

In the heart of England, Edward Royle, the head of a prestigious chemical manufacturing company, is on the verge of marrying Phrida Shand, the daughter of his fathers former business partner. One fateful night, his friend, the enigmatic Sir Digby Kemsley—a renowned railroad engineer—invites him to his flat for a mysterious discussion. After a brief visit, Royle is summoned back urgently, only to find a stranger in Kemsley’s place. Trusting his friend becomes a dangerous gamble when a young woman is murdered in Kemsley’s flat, and Kemsley mysteriously vanishes. Complicating matters ...

Dive into a gripping whodunit brimming with twists and turns that rival an English country road. When old man Courtenay is discovered murdered in his bed, Dr. Ralph Boyd is called to Courtenay Manor to investigate. There, he uncovers a clue that could crack the case wide open, but for personal reasons, he chooses to keep it to himself. Meanwhile, Scotland Yard is left in the dark, with no suspects and no motive. Confident in his own deductions, Dr. Boyd believes he knows who the killer is—or is it a murderess? His close friend, Ambler Jevons, is also on the trail of the truth, yet Boyd holds...

Step into a haunting tale where a young woman and her blind father inhabit the enigmatic House of Whispers. Legends say that those who hear the whispers meet a swift and sudden end. Written by William Le Queux in 1910, this gripping story weaves elements of thriller, espionage, and mystery, drawing you into a world of suspense and intrigue. (Summary by April6090)

In the heart of London, a young man named Owen Biddulph finds himself captivated by a striking young woman harboring a shadowy past. As her secrets unravel, Owen must confront the chilling possibility that her history could lead to his own peril. Is she the love he has been waiting for, or is she a danger lurking in disguise? A mysterious clergyman cautions him to stay away from her, warning that ignoring his advice could cost him everything. What dark influence does this enchanting woman wield? Discover the thrilling narrative penned by one of the masters of mystery, William Le Queux, with an...

Frank Spalding, a young diplomat, becomes entangled in a web of political intrigue and global espionage while stationed in Italy. As he navigates the treacherous landscape of international politics, he encounters unexpected twists and turns that challenge his resolve and test his cunning. Will he find a way to survive the machinations that threaten not only his career but also the stability of nations?

What if German forces landed on the east coast of England and advanced on London while the British were struggling to mount a counter-attack? That’s premise of William Le Queux’s The Invasion of 1910, one of the most popular "invasion fiction" novels of all time. The novel revolves around Germany’s rising naval power and its threat to a weak Britain, unprepared for war politically, physically and psychologically. As the Germans occupy half of London, a junior Parliamentarian declares "Britain is not defeated." A newly formed Army liberates London, but the war is far from over.

A young man, Owen Biddulph, is drawn to a beautiful young woman with a mysterious past... a past that seems to have returned to cause her disappearance! Is she his new found love or his nemesis? And who is this mysterious clergyman that warns him to avoid this young woman, at risk of his very life! What possible harm could this sweet young woman inflict? Written by one of the Masters of Mystery, William Le Queux.

The blind man was well aware that her reply was but a subterfuge. Little, however, did he dream the cause. Little did he know that a dark shadow had fallen upon the young girl's life - a shadow of evil. "Gabrielle," he said in a low, intense voice, "why aren't you open and frank with me as you once used to be? Remember that you, my daughter, are my only friend!".

How to describe this book? In a word - savage. For those regular LibriVox Le Queux mystery listeners, this book is a step in a different direction by the author. The book starts out like most Le Queux. Our hero, Richard Scarsmere, befriends an individual (Omar) at an English boarding school who turns out to be an African prince from a kingdom called Mo. Omar receives a visit from one of his mother’s trusted advisers. His mother, the Great White Queen, seeks him to return home immediately. Omar convinces Scarsmere to return to Africa with him.

Edward Royle is the head of a well-known chemical manufacturer in England, which he has inherited. He is engaged to the daughter of his father’s former partner, Phrida Shand, who lives with her mother. One night he is asked by his friend, Sir Digby Kemsley - a very famous railroad engineer, to come to his flat to discuss something although Kemsley is quite mysterious on the telephone. Royle visits, then returns home only to be summoned again by Kemsley, this time imploring him to return at once. Royle finds a gentleman in Kemsley’s place who is clearly not Kemsley, or is he?

Le Queux (1864-1927) was an Anglo-French journalist and writer who was also a diplomat, traveller, flying buff and wireless pioneer. His best-known works are the anti-French and anti-Russian invasion fantasy "The Great War in England" (1894) and the anti-German invasion fantasy "The Invasion of 1910" (1906), the latter becoming a phenomenal bestseller. He wrote over 150 novels, many dealing with international intrigue, and a number of non-fiction works. This novel was first published in 1913.

The Earl of Saxham was vastly annoyed when his son, Guy, fell in love with a “penniless nobody,” and announced that he would marry her against all opposition. He determined to separate the lovers; to which end he persuaded an influential friend in the Foreign Office to secure an appointment for Guy in the Embassy at Madrid. He little knew that he was sending his son into the centre of a hotbed of anarchism, that Guy’s footsteps were to be dogged by a vindictive and revengeful woman, that his life was to hold many a thrilling moment and not a few narrow escapes.

To allow so young and delicate a girl to tramp England aimlessly in search of some vague and secret information which seemed to be her erratic father's object, was, we decided, an utter impossibility; therefore, following that night of our first meeting at Helpstone, Burton and his daughter remained our guests for a week, and, after many consultations and some little economies, we were at last successful in placing Mabel at school, a service for which we later received her heartfelt thanks.

William Le Queux was a British novelist and prolific writer of mysteries. Indeed, mystery surrounds the author himself as to whether he was a spy or rather just a self-promoter. Regardless of which is true, Le Queux brings us a story of intrigue and espionage that travels across Europe in the true spirit of a good mystery. There are shootings, burglaries, romances, escapes from prisons, and intricate conspiracies that may surprise and leave you scratching your head as you try to solve this "whodunit”.

Michael Berrington is a bachelor leading a quiet life in London. Overhearing a conversation at his club one day, he becomes interested in a discussion regarding a man named Gastrell. Gastrell is somewhat of a mystery to the club members in spite of his renting a house from one of them. Berrington’s interest in Gastrell intensifies as his fiancé, Dulcie Challoner, befriends a wealthy widow, Mrs. Connie Stapleton who evidently has some type of relationship with Gastrell.

Frank Urwin and Richard Cleugh are two bachelor journalists sharing a flat in London. One evening while chatting, Urwin receives a telegram from a police acquaintance to come to the local police station at once. Urwin visits Inspector Patterson who is greatly agitated. Patterson invites Urwin for a drink and tells him of a strange occurrence at a local house. The two visit the house where they discover a dead young male and attractive young female. For some reason, Patterson is reluctant to report the apparent murders.