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In Jeopardy

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Gutenberg ID
38477
Title
In Jeopardy
Language
en
Book source
Project Gutenberg
Description max 80 words
In Jeopardy by Van Tassel Sutphen is a suspenseful mystery set in post-Civil War Maryland, weaving together family feuds, a deadly optical weapon, and a race against time to solve a murder before a will is read.
Summary up to 500 words
In Van Tassel Sutphen's *In Jeopardy*, Philadelphia lawyer Hugh Hildebrand travels to Maryland to attend the funeral of his distant cousin, Francis Graeme, and claim his inheritance. Upon arrival at the secluded 'Hildebrand Hundred,' Hugh discovers that Graeme has been murdered in his library. The investigation quickly reveals a complex web of Southern family history, rooted in a bitter Civil War-era feud between the Hildebrands and the Thanefords. Hugh and his friend, Chalmers Warriner, begin to unravel the mystery, aided by local servants who provide conflicting accounts. A pivotal clue emerges in the form of a mysterious letter from a lawyer hinting at a secret legacy. The narrative introduces a chilling scientific element: a 'Sigma ray' lens, invented by the elder Thaneford, capable of causing instant death through intensified sunstroke. The killer was likely present in the room during a specific time of day when the sun aligned with this optical trap. The story builds to a climax involving a confrontation with the antagonist, John Thaneford, and the revelation of the optical trap that killed both the victim and the inventor's son. The novel concludes with the resolution of the mystery and the destruction of the dangerous device. The narrative reflects on the enduring nature of family curses and the possibility of redemption, as the Hildebrand family finds peace after exorcising the dark spirit of vengeance that had haunted them for generations.
LLM editorial rating
4.2/5
Download URL
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38477.epub.noimages
Local file path
data/epubs/pg38477.epub
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People

Authors

  • Van Tassel Sutphen
Classification

Categories

  • Romance
  • Mystery