Kate plus 10

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76212

Title

Kate plus 10

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling Edgar Wallace adventure, a wealthy Earl's priceless pearl necklace vanishes, leading to a complex web of suspicion involving his daughter, a mysterious secretary, and a rogue police inspector. When a daring train robbery plot is uncovered, the inspector must confront a criminal mastermind and his own dark past, resulting in a dramatic showdown that challenges the boundaries between law and crime.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edgar Wallace's *Kate plus 10*, the narrative intertwines a domestic mystery with a high-stakes criminal conspiracy. The story begins with Lord Flanborough, a wealthy but disgruntled Earl, discovering that his daughter, Lady Moya, has lost a valuable string of eighty-three pearls. Suspecting her maid, Martin, the Earl summons Inspector Michael Pretherston, a former anarchist turned detective. Michael's investigation quickly uncovers a deeper plot involving Moya's secret romance with him and the suspicious activities of the household staff. The plot expands to introduce Kate Westhanger, a brilliant but morally ambiguous young woman working for a ruthless criminal syndicate led by Colonel Westhanger and the cunning Gregori. Kate is tasked with executing a massive train robbery involving stolen gold and a specially rigged locomotive. As Michael infiltrates the criminal ring, he discovers that Kate is not merely an accomplice but a key figure whose loyalty is wavering. Tensions rise as Michael confronts Colonel Westhanger, who admits to manipulating Kate for his own profit. The climax occurs during the execution of the train heist. As the criminals board the train, a violent struggle erupts in the engine room. Colonel Westhanger is killed in a sudden burst of violence, and the train, carrying the stolen goods, crashes spectacularly. In the aftermath, Michael and Kate share a poignant moment, acknowledging their shared criminal past and the toll it has taken on their souls. Kate reveals she has betrayed the syndicate, leading to the destruction of the criminal organization. The story concludes with Michael resigning from the police force, admitting that his work with criminals has sapped his moral qualities, leaving him torn between his duty and his growing sympathy for the outcasts of society. The novel explores themes of class, morality, and the thin line between law enforcement and criminality, questioning whether the line between the 'good' and 'bad' is as distinct as society claims.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76212.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg76212.epub

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Categories

• Mystery
• Crime Fiction