The tomb of Ts'in

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76418

Title

The tomb of Ts'in

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edgar Wallace's *The Tomb of Ts'in* blends adventure and mystery in a tale of imperial intrigue. Featuring the talkative Captain Ted Talham, detective Signor Tillizinni, and the enigmatic Soo, the story follows a desperate quest to locate the tomb of China's first emperor. With themes of piracy, colonialism, and moral ambiguity, this thrilling narrative offers a unique glimpse into early 20th-century espionage and exotic locales.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century China and London, Edgar Wallace's *The Tomb of Ts'in* unfolds through the diary entries of Signor Tillizinni, a brilliant but unconventional Italian detective. The narrative ignites when a green mailbag containing rare historical documents is stolen from the China Packet, a ship bound for London. While Scotland Yard suspects Captain Ted Talham, a charismatic adventurer with a history of piracy, the true target is the legendary tomb of the First Emperor of China. Talham, driven by a personal quest and a complex moral code, becomes entangled with the Society of Joyful Intention, a bloodthirsty organization led by the cunning Soo. As Tillizinni investigates, he uncovers Talham's dual nature: a man capable of great violence yet bound by his own strict principles. The plot escalates with daring escapes, confrontations with armed forces, and the protagonists' descent into the tomb itself. Inside, they face ancient traps, deadly creatures, and the overwhelming temptation of immense wealth, including a hoard of pearls. The story climaxes with a dramatic confrontation involving Soo, who, facing capture and humiliation, chooses death over losing his dignity in a final act of defiance. Through Tillizinni's perspective, the novel explores themes of justice, cultural clash, and the thin line between hero and villain. A quintessential Edgar Wallace adventure, it balances fast-paced action with philosophical musings on civilization and barbarism, ultimately resolving with Talham securing the treasures and Yvonne Yale's safety, while Tillizinni reflects on the enduring nature of true villainy.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Mystery