The Secret of Sarek

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Secret of Sarek

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In post-WWI Brittany, Véronique d'Hergemont investigates the mysterious death of her husband, Alexis Vorski, and the disappearance of her son, François. Guided by a mysterious agent, she uncovers a dark legacy involving occult legends, a radioactive "God-Stone," and a monstrous enemy hiding in a Breton priory, blending adventure with supernatural intrigue.

Summary up to 500 words

Fourteen years after the traumatic kidnapping of Véronique d'Hergemont by her lover Alexis Vorski, and the subsequent deaths of her father and son, Véronique lives in obscurity as a dressmaker in Besançon. Her quiet existence is shattered when she discovers initials matching her maiden name carved on a deserted cabin in Brittany. Seeking answers, she contacts M. Dutreillis, who reveals that Vorski has been killed and that a sinister figure connected to her past is hunting her. Véronique and her young son, François, flee to the isolated island of Sarek, where they are pursued by a madman obsessed with ancient Druidic prophecies. This antagonist, a creature of the heath, seeks a legendary "God-Stone" believed to possess miraculous powers. As the war complicates their situation, Véronique must navigate a web of deceit involving her father's will and the true nature of her husband's death. With the help of a mysterious rescuer and her son's cleverness, they confront the villain in his underground sanctuary. The narrative resolves with the defeat of the antagonist and the safe departure from the island. Véronique decides to live a life of work rather than wealth, honoring her father's memory while securing a future for her son. A central theme of the novel is the intersection of science and superstition. The "miraculous" God-Stone is revealed to be a block of pitchblende rich in radium, a substance capable of both healing and causing horrific burns. This scientific explanation demystifies the supernatural events attributed to magic, such as the burning of hands and the growth of plants. The story explores how the chaos of war allows a monster to execute crimes that would be impossible in peacetime. Ultimately, Véronique rejects the wealth of the past, choosing instead to dedicate herself to work and the well-being of her son, finding redemption through her own agency and the support of those who love her.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/maurice-leblanc_secret-of-sarek.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-c957aec76ac2150c.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-06-30 03:28 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery