The mystery of Angelina Frood

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76072

Title

The mystery of Angelina Frood

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this witty and ingenious mystery by R. Austin Freeman, Dr. John Thorndyke investigates the baffling death of actress Angelina Frood. As the narrative unfolds, a surprising twist reveals that the victim was actually a man, Mr. Bundy, who had been living a double life. Through forensic science and clever deduction, Thorndyke exposes the elaborate deception, blending humor with intellectual suspense in a classic detective story.

Summary up to 500 words

The story begins with Dr. John Thorndyke, a young medical practitioner in London, summoned at midnight to the home of Mrs. Johnson, who has suffered a severe shock. Upon arrival, he finds a terrified man and a pale woman, Mrs. Johnson, who claims a tight gold collar caused her distress. However, Thorndyke notices a fresh, livid bruise on her neck, suggesting strangulation rather than a simple accident. The atmosphere is thick with secrecy; the man is hysterical, and the woman's demeanor is strangely composed despite her injuries. Thorndyke suspects foul play but is hindered by the victims' refusal to speak. He administers a sedative and prepares to leave, noting the presence of cocaine and the strange behavior of the occupants. The narrative then shifts to the investigation of the 'Angelina Frood' case. Angelina, a popular actress, is found dead in the Thames, and her husband, Mr. Nicholas Frood, has vanished. Dr. Thorndyke and his friend, Mr. Bundy, begin to investigate. Bundy, initially appearing as a cheerful, somewhat shallow acquaintance, becomes a central figure in the mystery. Thorndyke suspects Bundy of involvement, perhaps due to his close friendship with Angelina and his own troubled state of mind following her death. The investigation leads them to explore the possibility that Angelina was not who she seemed. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Angelina Frood was actually Mr. Nicholas Frood in disguise. The 'Angelina' found in the river was a skeleton, not a body, indicating that the actress had staged her own death to escape her husband's control. Mr. Bundy, who had been living in Angelina's house, was actually Angelina herself, having undergone a radical transformation by cutting her hair, wearing a suit, and using a mole on her nose to complete the disguise. The 'Mr. Johnson' from the opening scene was also part of this elaborate ruse. Thorndyke uses his scientific expertise to uncover the truth. He examines fingerprints, noting that the prints found on Angelina's belongings match those of Mr. Bundy. He also discovers that the two houses occupied by the couple were connected, allowing for easy switching of identities. The climax of the story involves the revelation of the full extent of Angelina's deception. She had been living as Mr. Bundy to escape her husband's tyranny and to protect herself from his potential violence. The 'death' of Angelina was a calculated act to free herself from her oppressive marriage. The resolution comes when Thorndyke confronts the truth. Angelina confesses her story, explaining that she had been forced into a life of fear and oppression by her husband. Her transformation into Mr. Bundy was a desperate measure to survive. The mystery is solved not just by forensic evidence but by the psychological insight of Thorndyke and the courage of Angelina. The story ends with Angelina free from her husband's control, having successfully outwitted him and the authorities who were initially suspicious of her. The narrative is a blend of suspense, humor, and social commentary, highlighting the plight of women...

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery