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1Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

By David Hume

The Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is a shortened and simplified version of Hume's masterpiece A Treatise of Human Nature. It sought to reach a wider audience, and to dispel some of the virulent criticism addressed toward the former book. In it, Hume explains his theory of epistemology, and argues against other current theories, including those of John Locke, George Berkeley, and Nicolas Malebranche. (Summary by Kirsten Ferreri)

2Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

By David Hume

In Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, philosopher David Hume examines whether belief in God can be rational. The work takes the form of a debate between three characters: Cleanthes, who argues that the existence and nature of God can be empirically verified; Demea, who argues that God is completely beyond human knowledge; and Philo, a philosophical skeptic widely thought to represent Hume's own beliefs.<br><br> Much of the debate centers around Cleanthes' presentation of the analogical argument from design. According to this argument, the complexity and beauty of the universe can only be explained by inferring an intelligent designer, in the same way that one would infer a designer if one came across an intricately complicated machine. Philo presents several objections to this argument, with rejoinders by Cleanthes and occasional interjections by Demea. (Summary by Leon Mire)

3Secret Passage

By Fergus Hume

Excellent murder mystery. On September 9, 1905, the NY Times Saturday Review of Books described this book as follows: "That painstakingly ingenious person, Fergus Hume, has devised another of his hide-and-seek, jack-o'-lantern murder mysteries. It begins with a queer and rich old woman found stabbed to death in her chair and not a clue to the murderer. Then so many clues turn up that even the story-book detective is bewildered. Then nearly everybody turns out to be somebody else under an alias, and all the clues lead nowhere..." (summary by Dawn Larsen and J.M. Smallheer)

4Mystery of a Hansom Cab

By Fergus Hume

“The following report appeared in the Argus newspaper of Saturday, the 28th July, 18-- <br><br> “Truth is said to be stranger than fiction, and certainly the extraordinary murder which took place in Melbourne on Thursday night, or rather Friday morning, goes a long way towards verifying this saying. A crime has been committed by an unknown assassin, within a short distance of the principal streets of this great city, and is surrounded by an impenetrable mystery. … <br><br> “On the twenty-seventh day of July, at the hour of twenty minutes to two o'clock in the morning, a hansom cab drove up to the police station in Grey Street, St. Kilda, and the driver made the startling statement that his cab contained the body of a man who he had reason to believe had been murdered….” (Excerpt from the first chapter.)

5Treatise Of Human Nature, Volume 1

By David Hume

This book, published in two volumes called "books" by the author, is a treatment of everything from the origin of our ideas to how they are to be divided. It includes important statements of Scepticism and Hume's experimental method. Part 1 deals with the nature of ideas. Part 2 deals with the ideas of space and time. Part 3 deals with knowledge and probability. Part 4 deals with skeptical and other systems of philosophy, including a discussion of the soul and personal identity. (Summary by Wikipedia)<BR><BR>This is a recording of Volume I (or Book 1). Volume II (which contains Books 2 and 3) is <a href="http://librivox.org/a-treatise-of-human-nature-volume-2-by-david-hume/">also available as a Librivox audiobook</a>.

6Madame Midas

By Fergus Hume

Hume was born in England, the second son of Dr James Hume. At the age of three his father emigrated with his family to Dunedin, New Zealand. He was admitted to the New Zealand bar in 1885. Shortly after graduation he left for Melbourne, Australia where he obtained a post as a barristers' clerk. He began writing plays, but found it impossible to persuade the managers of the Melbourne theatres to accept or even read them. Hume was a capable writer of mystery stories, and may be looked upon as one of the precursors of the many writers of detective stories whose work was so popular in the twentieth century. (Summary Wikipedia)

7Treatise Of Human Nature, Volume 2

By David Hume

This book, published in two volumes called "books" by the author, is a treatment of everything from the origin of our ideas to how they are to be divided. It includes important statements of Scepticism and Hume's experimental method. Part 1 deals with the nature of ideas. Part 2 deals with the ideas of space and time. Part 3 deals with knowledge and probability. Part 4 deals with skeptical and other systems of philosophy, including a discussion of the soul and personal identity. (Summary by Wikipedia)<BR><BR> This volume contains Books 2 and 3. Volume 1 (or Book 1) is <a href="http://librivox.org/treatise-of-human-nature-vol-1-by-david-hume/">also available as a Librivox audiobook</a>. <BR><BR> Additional proof-listening was done by linty_pupik.

8Silent House

By Fergus Hume

A mystery about a "locked door" murder committed in a house that has a reputation for being haunted. In the first half of the book, the murderer appears to be easy to figure out. The second half of the book, however, is filled with plot twists and mistaken identities and thus complicates the mystery much more. (Summary by cherly)

A mysterious woman is found murdered in a yellow boudoir. Who is she and where does she come from? Detective Absalom Gebb is on the case. (Introduction by MaryAnn)

10History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1A

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

11History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1B

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off. <br /><br /> This is Volume 1B which covers the reigns of Henry III to Richard III. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

12History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1C

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off.<br><br> This is Volume 1C which covers the reigns of Henry VII to Mary I. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

13History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1D

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off. <br><br> This is Volume 1D which covers the reigns of Elizabeth I to James I. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

14History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1E

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off.<br><br>This is Volume 1E which covers the reign of Charles I and the Commonwealth. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

15History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, Volume 1F

By David Hume

David Hume is one of the great philosophers of the Western intellectual tradition. His philosophical writings earned him lasting fame and renown; his historical writing earned his bread and butter. His "The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688", published between 1754 and 1764, was immensely popular and Hume wrote that "the copy-money given me by the booksellers much exceeded any thing formerly known in England; I was become not only independent, but opulent." The six volume work has had numerous editions and is still in print today. David Hume and Thomas Babington Macaulay have frequently been compared as the premier English historians but we don't have to choose because Macaulay begins where Hume leaves off.<br><br> This is Volume 1F which covers the reign of Charles II and James II. (Summary by Richard Carpenter)

16Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

By David Hume

David Hume, an eminent Scottish philosopher, historian, and essayist, explores the nature and foundation of Morals in this book, which was written as a popular summary of Book III in A Treatise of Human Nature. Hume states: “There has been a controversy started of late, much better worth examination, concerning the general foundation of Morals; whether they be derived from Reason, or from Sentiment; whether we attain the knowledge of them by a chain of argument and induction, or by an immediate feeling and finer internal sense; whether, like all sound judgement of truth and falsehood, they should be the same to every rational intelligent being; or whether, like the perception of beauty and deformity, they be founded entirely on the particular fabric and constitution of the human species.” (Excerpted from Section I – Of the General Principles of Morals) (Summary from the text and adapted from Wikipedia by lubee930)

17Bishop's Secret

By Fergus Hume

Bishop Pendle is the Church of England bishop in a small fictitious English cathedral town. Several years into his work, he receives a visit from a disreputable-looking visitor. The bishop is much upset. What transpired between them that has so upset the good churchman? And then there is the murder. Fergus Hume was one of the most prolific and most popular of 19th century novelists. "Mr. Hume won a reputation second to none for plot of the stirring, ingenious, misleading, and finally surprising kind, and for working out his plot in vigorous and picturesque English. In "The Bishop's Secret," while there is no falling off in plot and style, there is a welcome and marvelous broadening out as to the cast of characters, representing an unusually wide range of typical men and women. These are not laboriously described by the author, but are made to reveal themselves in action and speech in a way that has, for the reader, all the charm of personal intercourse with living people...." (Book Preface and david wales)

18Red Window

By Fergus Hume

Two former school friends, now both military men, meet again and discover both are trying to lose themselves to public gaze. Dick West has inherited the family estate, but is out of favor. "The Red Window" was used during periods of civil unrest to warn cavaliers of danger. Now, West awaits a message in the red window from his cousin, to say his grandfather has relented and forgiven him - but a handkerchief around the old man's neck complicates matters. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

Hagar Stanley, a beautiful young Gypsy, is driven by sexual harassment to leave her tribe and seek refuge with her uncle Jacob, a miserly London pawnbroker. He dies after teaching Hagar the business, and she takes over running the popshop till the legitimate heir can be traced. In the odd assortment of objects that pass across her counter, Hagar uncovers one mystery after another. Some items are linked to actual crimes, others to iniquitous acts of human deceit and betrayal. Whether investigating independently or alongside the police, Hagar combines her native shrewdness with woman's intuition to help untangle the webs of wickedness she encounters, that justice might prevail in the end. Though the individual mysteries in Hagar of the Pawn-shop may be read separately, they are so arranged by Fergus Hume as to form a linked set, with characters from earlier stories popping up again later on, one as Hagar's love interest and another as her nemesis. - Summary by Grant Hurlock

Short Stories by Fergus Hume, a prolific English novelist. - Summary by Wikipedia

21Red Money

By Fergus Hume

Greed and lost love collide to create dark secrets. Through twists and turns, corrupt aristocrats let family and honor overshadow love and true happiness. In the end, evil passes and good endures. (Summary by Sharon Kilmer)

22Opal Serpent

By Fergus Hume

An old pawnbroker is found strangled with his lips pinned together with an opal serpent broach. He has a beautiful daughter who is apparently the heir of his large estate. But another claimant has made herself known as the actual daughter of the pawnbroker. Follow detective Hurd as he unravels the convoluted mystery of the old man’s death and attempts to determine who is the rightful heir. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)

23Lady Jim of Curzon Street

By Fergus Hume

Faced with bankruptcy and trapped in an unhappy marriage, Lady Jim Kaims has to solve her problems alone. After every decent way fails her, and with no friend to assist, she resorts to committing crimes. Fergus Hume delves into the mind of an extremely clever criminal with humor, understanding and even compassion. This book is a roller coaster ride which would keep you guessing from start to finish. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

24Coin Of Edward VII

By Fergus Hume

A family celebrates Christmas and its flaws are gently exposed by the house guest Mrs. Parry. Giles is engaged to the wealthy Daisy, yet is clearly in love with the governess Anne Denham. Things come to a head when Daisy is murdered. Who would murder her? Perhaps the governess who told her she would kill her and made it clear she wanted to exchange places with her? After all the governess ran away with a mysterious man right after the murder and was not seen again. Or did someone frame the governess? Perhaps it is Mr. Morley, Daisy's guardian, who wanted her money? Or perhaps someone else? After all, Daisy was not popular in the village. Giles, bent on saving the woman he loves, and the detective Mr. Steel go to investigate. This is a detective story in the traditional sense, but it is a host of other things. It is a very strong love story, a story about class and how it influences people's choices, a story about greed, and much more. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

25Silver Bullet

By Fergus Hume

Dr. Jim Herrick and his friend Robin are on a walking tour in the English countryside when they come across a large house where all the lights in the house are on and all of the doors are open. While trying to find someone at home, they discover the body of Colonel Carr, dead from a gunshot wound. After reporting their discovery to the authorities, Dr. Jim decides he would investigate the murder. Suspects abound as the Colonel was an intensely disliked person. A classic “who done it” written by a well respected British mystery writer will hold the attention of a listener throughout the tale. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)

26Spider

By Fergus Hume

Arthur Vernon, member of the Athenian club and member of “society,” has a secret. His father has died and left him destitute, so he has begun a private investigation agency under the name “Nemo.” It would be disastrous if this were known among his associates at the club, and especially if his intended in-laws found out. But he is quite sure no one else knows, that is until his old college classmate, Constantine Maunders, visits him with a proposition he can’t refuse. Maunders knows all, and he wants to be made a partner in the agency, providing “Nemo” with black-mail worthy information on other people in society in return for a share of the financial rewards for their silence. Vernon is appalled, particularly as “Nemo” is engaged in solving a high profile blackmail case. These are the beginning of Vernons conundrums as the clues unfold. - Summary by Don W. Jenkins

27Mikado Jewel

By Fergus Hume

A widow has been murdered in the home of a relative on a foggy night in London town when all residents were off on to the theatre, and one to run an errand involving the title bauble. Who done it? Old dark house mystery full of period cliches is pulp fun for the new year. - Summary by Matt Pierard

28Pink Shop

By Fergus Hume

The Pink Shop operates outside the limits of the law by a mysterious woman concealed under a black veil. Follow the twists and turns as you unravel the secrets hidden behind the closed doors of The Pink Shop. Ask yourself: what would you give to retain eternal beauty?

29Crimson Cryptogram

By Fergus Hume

Young Dr Ellis, a struggling new physician, is enjoying a quiet evening smoking and enjoying conversation with his journalist friend Cass, when their mysterious neighbour, Mrs Moxton, bursts in upon them with startling news - her husband has been murdered! Rushing to the scene, the two men discover Mr Moxton, stabbed in the back. They investigate the body thoroughly, but find no real clues to his assailant except for a mysterious series of markings, scrawled in blood on the dead man's sleeve. - Summary by Don W. Jenkins

30Tracked by a Tattoo

By Fergus Hume

Mysteries abound in this crime novel by Fergus Hume. Mr. Fanks, detective of Scotland Yard, is not all he seems, for when off-duty, he assumes his real identity of Octavius Rixton, well-to-do idler. When the scent of a murder reaches him, he is instantly Mr. Fanks and on the pursuit. A guilty looking innkeeper nicknamed Queen Beelzebub and a suspicious doctor named Renshaw further complicate his beginning investigation, and he finds the body is a man with a tattoo on his arm that has been partially obliterated by a knife. Where no one is as he seems the mystery can only deepen before its solution. - Summary by Don W. Jenkins

31Clock Struck One

By Fergus Hume

Fergus Hume was a prolific writer of Victorian murder mysteries and The Clock Struck One is another great example of his inventive plots. Julian Edermont living in near seclusion for the last 20 years fearful of an unknown assailant is beaten to death in his study following an argument with his ward's fiance Dr. Allen Scott. The secret revealed to Allen during this argument is such that he breaks off his engagement to Dora refusing to reveal the cause. Since those around her seem unwilling to share what they know it is up to Dora to discover the truth and unmask the murderer of her guardian. - Summary by Celine Major

32Turnpike House

By Fergus Hume

A prolific writer of crime and detective stories Fergus Hume is known for his clever plots. The Turnpike House is another wonderful example of his many intriguing mysteries. EXCERPT: "Suddenly there was the cry of a human being in pain. The light was extinguished, and the mists closed thicker round the ruined building; it might be to hide the sight within the room. Could the walls only have spoken they would have shouted "Murder!" with most miraculous voice. But the age of miracles being past, the walls were dumb, and there was no clamour to greet the horror of this deed done in darkness." - Summary by Celine Major

33Sacred Herb

By Fergus Hume

A rich playboy comes home from travels abroad and is bully-ragged by his eccentric aunt into finding meaning for his life. This he does by helping a school chum save his fiancée from the gallows and the playboy falls head over heels in love with the fiancée. A web of deception and lies is revealed and also a long list of who loves who filled with how much each is willing to accept. The colorful cast includes a south sea captain, a fortuneteller, and a colorful doctor who is an authority on the inhabitants and customs of Easter Island. Then, of course, there is the sacred herb!—Enjoy!! (Summary by Sharon Kilmer)

34Lost Parchment

By Fergus Hume

Murder and mayhem turn a quiet English village on its head. Complete with twists and turns that will keep you entertained til the very end. Fergus Hume never fails. (Summary by Sharon Kilmer)

35Sealed Message

By Fergus Hume

A mysterious message on a record is found sealed in a cylinder. A heroine straight out of a fairy-tale is kept secluded by a guardian with questionable motives. Add a murder, a gallant and fearless hero to the rescue and you have all the ingredients necessary to make this a very entertaining little mystery by acclaimed British author Fergus Hume! - Summary by Celine Major

36Amethyst Cross

By Fergus Hume

Things look bleak for Lesbia Hales. Her father does not let her marry the man she loves. Her mother is dead. She has to keep secrets in order to promote what she wants for herself. One day, her lover, George Walker, is injured in her home and someone stole the expensive amethyst cross. Who could have done that and why? - Summary by Stav Nisser.

37Third Volume

By Fergus Hume

A widely publicized and unsolved murder of five and twenty years is brought to the forefront in a best-selling novel entitled “A Whim of Fate". While Spencer Tait is looking forward to reading it, his best friend Claude Larcher, learns of the tragic death of his father which mirrors every detail of the new book. Not believing it to be a coincidence the two friends resolve to discover what truly happened so many years ago and who committed the vile act. As they delve deeper into the past, the motives, the evidence, and the list of potential suspects becomes so confusing that a solution to the mystery seems impossible. Will they ever know WHO killed Georges Larcher???? - Summary by Celine Major

38Mystery of a Hansom Cab (Version 2 Dramatic Reading)

By Fergus Hume

Who killed the man in the hansom cab? -- Who is Sal Rawlins? -- What will happen to Madge and Brian? -- Murder and family secrets create the intrigue in this excellent Australian mystery. Fergus Hume's novel, originally published in 1886, rapidly became a best-seller. It was very soon published in England and the United States, and over a hundred years later, Geoffrey Haines credited "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab" as doing "more than any book to give the outside world a picture of Melbourne of the late 1880's" (in "A History of Victoria," 2006). This is one of those old-time gems that continues to entertain, both in print form and on the air and screens. (Summary by Lynette Caulkins)<br><br> <b>NOTE: The preface of this work mentions the culprit of the "whodunit" - which may spoil the project for some listeners. Be advised to skip the preface or listen to it at the end if you'd like to be surprised by the outcome of the story.</b><br><br> <b>Cast List</b><br> Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15664">Peter Dann</a><br> Man in a Light Coat and Mr. Roger Moreland: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15178">Andrew Latheron</a><br> Oliver White, Crown Prosecutor, and Valpy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16205">Jim Hedrick</a><br> Malcolm Royston: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">Todd</a><br> Due Coroner and Mrs. Grundy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15942">Tally Tiger</a><br> Dr. Robert Chinston: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15357">Tad Davis</a><br> Clement Rankin: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16252">Derek Benison</a><br> Mr. Gorby, Sebastian Brown, and Peterson: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8011">Greg Giordano</a><br> Mrs. Rubina Hableton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15373">WendyKatzHiller</a><br> Barber of Midas: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13706">Scott Caulkins</a><br> Duncan Calton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13577">Adrian Stephens</a><br> Felix Rolleston and Demetrius: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15580">Joanna Michal Hoyt</a><br> Madge Frettlby: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7026">Michele Eaton</a><br> Brian Fitzgerald: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14309">Caveat</a><br> Mark Frettlby: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14361">Andrew Kennedy</a><br> Dora Featherweight: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15771">Eliza</a><br> Julia Featherweight: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> Cabman, Other, Gaoler, Jury Foreperson, Doctor, and Legal Clerk: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10542">David Purdy</a><br> Mrs. Sampson: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16373">Susan Essary</a><br> Herald Newsperson, Traveler, Talleyrand, Sancho Panza, and Writer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16463">Jake Malizia</a><br> Mr. Kilsip: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4705">Algy Pug</a><br> Newspaper Woman, Old Woman, Court Crier, and Scotch Nurse: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15446">D Geier</a><br> Lizer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16409">Mira williams</a><br> Mother Guttersnipe and Albert Dendy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/3157">TriciaG</a><br> Sick Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15629">Margaret Lange</a><br> Sal Rawlins: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13661">Lynette Caulkins</a><br> Colonist, Moore, Footman, and Cynic: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16484">Therese Lindhom</a><br> Isaac Disraeli and Shakespeare: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9835">Elijah Fisher</a><br> French Proverb: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16791">Belinda Loveday</a><br><br> Book Coordinators: Lynette Caulkins and Annie Mars

39Girl From Malta

By Fergus Hume

One evening as the P. and O.'s vessel "Neptune" steams away from Australia to Britain, Ronald Monteith, a young, wealthy Australian is taken into the confidence of a fellow-passenger Lionel Ventin who relates the story of his rather tragic life. When Ventin is found stabbed to death in his cabin the next morning Monteith vows to find the murderer, thinking it must surely be the vengeful wife of whom he spoke who is responsible. When arriving in London he immediately seeks the help of a barrister and a detective. However, as he delves deeper into the mystery, he is mortified to find the evidence begins to point to the girl he has fallen in love with - the girl from Malta... - Summary by Celine Major

40Wives of Henry the Eighth and the Parts They Played in History

By Martin A. S. Hume

King Henry VIII is so often depicted as a far-seeing statesman, pressing forward through a lifetime with his eyes firmly fixed upon the goal of England’s religious freedom. Similarly, the lives of each of Henry’s six wives are often described as isolated phenomenon that had by chance attracted the desire of a lascivious despot, and in her turn had been deposed when his eye had fallen, equally fortuitously, upon another woman who pleased his errant fancy better. In this book the author regards Henry as a weak, vain, boastful man, the plaything of his passions, which were artfully made use of by rival parties to forward religious and political ends that ended in the Reformation. The author shows how each of Henry’s wives, in turn, was an instrument of politicians, intended to sway the King on one side or the other. As such, the lives of these six Queens assume an importance in England’s national history which cannot be accorded to them if they are considered in the usual light as the victims of a strong, lustful tyrant. This wider aspect in which the public and political significance of Henry’s wives is presented will provide a clearer understanding of the tortuous process by which the Reformation in England was effected. (Summary by Warren Kati paraphrasing the Preface)

A quiet seaside village with an old church and older family and its tyrannical head who tries to mould her adopted son to her whims, the vicar and his beautiful daughter and stranger looking for acceptance among the natives and the invisible bind among them forms the background for this English Mystery - Summary by Yoganandh T

Fergus Hume, one of the most prolific authors of the 19th century serves up a spellbinding mystery quite equal to that of his most famous book “The Mystery of the Hansom Cab”. George, in order to get the consent of the frivolous and avaricious Mrs. Ward to marry her daughter Dorothy, searches for proof of his father's marriage which would then entitle him to his rightful place as heir to both the fortune and the title of Lord Derrington. Are the murders both past and present linked? There seem to be more questions than answers in this intricate plot so skillfully written and imaginative that the reader will be conjuring up various conclusions until the very end. - Summary by Celine Major

43Millionaire Mystery

By Fergus Hume

A racy tale of a disappearing corpse, an eloquent tramp, a beautiful heiress and the intricacies of a shady millionaire's life - Summary by Yoganandh T

44Green Mummy

By Fergus Hume

An eccentric Professor's quest for a green mummy leads him and his acquaintances to a murder and a bizarre adventure - Summary by Yoganandh T

Following the death of her beloved fiancé Roderick, Miss Danby is hounded relentlessly by Dr. Slanton who wants to marry her to access her inheritance. Then one morning, Aileen, the sister of the deceased who lives with her, discovers the doctor's body in the woods near the cottage, and Miss Danby becomes the prime suspect. Although she claims innocence, she refuses to give the details which could prevent her from going the gallows. Aileen and her lover as well as Inspector Trant, who knew Aileen's father years ago, join forces to clear her name. The only clue they have is the word "whispering" uttered by the victim before he died!! - Summary by Celine Major