Monday, April 6, 2026

The Mystery of Mr. Bernard Brown by E. Phillips Oppenheim, 1896

 


AbeBooks

This title is available from this page at FadedPage.com


About the author: Edward Phillips Oppenheim (1866 – 1946) was an English novelist, a prolific writer of best-selling genre fiction, featuring glamorous characters, international intrigue and fast action. Notably easy to read, they were viewed as popular entertainments. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1927. (wikipedia)


Major characters:

  • Guy D. Thurwell, Esq., master of Thurwell Court
  • Helen Thurwell, his daughter
  • Mr. Bernard Brown, a.k.a. Bernard Maddison, their literary tenant
  • Sir Geoffrey Kyniston, Helen's fiancĂ©
  • Rachel Kyniston, Sir Geoffrey's sister
  • Benjamin Levy, Sr. private detective
  • Benjamin Jr., his son
  • Sir Allan Beaumerville, a "dilettante" physician

Locale:


Synopsis: Helen Thurwell is enjoying breakfast al fresco at Thurwell Court manse with her father, attorney Guy D. Thurwell. They discuss renting out a cottage, Falcon's Nest, on their property. They decide to rent it to a Mr. Bernard Brown, who applied by letter.  


Helen is engaged to Sir Geoffrey Kyniston; recently returned from a trip to the continent. Their engagement was a spur of the moment, and Helen has since cooled on him and now regrets it. She is friends with his sisterRachel Kyniston. 

 

Guy Thurwell, returning from a bird hunt with his friends, discovers Sir Geoffrey is missing from the group. They backtrack to find him dead of a dagger wound. This is confirmed by Sir Allan Beaumerville, a "dilettante" ladies' physician. Rachel, although shocked, is somewhat relieved to be thus released from her engagement.


Rachel meets Bernard Brown and is attracted to his literary tastes, and mystified by his monastic life. She learns he also goes by Bernard Maddison, and has had several trips to the continent. She engages private detectives Benjamin Levy Sr. and his son Benjamin Jr. to probe into his past. 


Review:


 


Apr 6 2026: Reading now, please check back again for more. RM

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