The Spider: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Spider: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Spider is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hume, Fergus (1859–1932).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Spider" by Fergus Hume is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of London society, focusing on characters entangled in a world of deception and intrigue, where a cunning blackmailer known as The Spider threatens to expose their secrets. The narrative introduces Arthur Vernon, a private inquiry agent, who finds himself facing moral dilemmas as he navigates his complex relationships, particularly with the charming but unscrupulous Constantine Maunders, who is also vying for the affections of one of Vernon's love interests, Lucy Corsoon. At the start of the book, the reader is introduced to the opulent Athenian Club in London, where Arthur Vernon and Constantine Maunders engage in a conversation filled with tension and underlying motives. Maunders proposes a partnership to Vernon, revealing his intent to join the detective business while simultaneously embodying a narcissistic persona. The discussion soon turns to the issue of Maunders' adoptive lineage, hinting at familial complexities tied to a figure called The Spider, a blackmailer exploiting sensitive information for financial gain. Set against a backdrop of manipulation and hidden agendas, the opening chapters establish a suspenseful tone as characters prepare for the social gathering that may culminate in significant consequences. The stage is set for conflict as Vernon must decide whether to confront his rival and ally himself with a rogue in order to navigate the treacherous waters of love and loyalty.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Spider
- Author credits: Hume, Fergus (1859–1932)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Detective and mystery stories
- England -- Fiction
- Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
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.
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