The Riddle of the Purple Emperor: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Riddle of the Purple Emperor: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Riddle of the Purple Emperor is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hanshew, Thomas W. (1857–1914); Hanshew, Mary E..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Riddle of the Purple Emperor" by Mary E. and Thomas W. Hanshew is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Hamilton Cleek, a master detective known as "The Man of Forty Faces," who is drawn into a mystery involving a young woman, Lady Margaret Cheyne, and her family’s valuable jewels, particularly the infamous "Purple Emperor," a diamond with a dark history. The narrative is set against the backdrop of intrigue and danger as Cleek uncovers layers of deception surrounding the Cheyne family. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to the bustling atmosphere of Charing Cross Station as Cleek eagerly awaits the return of Ailsa Lorne from Paris. However, he encounters Lady Margaret, who has arrived alone and weary from her journey, having been overlooked at the station. Ailsa persuades Cleek to assist her in driving Lady Margaret to her newly inherited home, Cheyne Court, where dark secrets await. As Cleek drives, he learns of the ominous history tied to the family jewels and the potential dangers that they carry, especially considering the strange figures Margaret encountered on her journey. Through masterful prose, the opening sets a suspenseful tone that hints at a complex riddle and impending tragedy.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Riddle of the Purple Emperor
- Author credits: Hanshew, Thomas W. (1857–1914); Hanshew, Mary E.
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Cleek, Hamilton (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
- Detective and mystery stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


