The Flaw in the Sapphire

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23752

Title

The Flaw in the Sapphire

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Charles M. Snyder's satirical tale follows Dennis Muldoon, a shrewd but socially awkward young man who abandons his family's clothing business to pursue a career in publishing. After securing a job at a New York firm through his unique dialect and wit, Dennis narrates a fantastical story involving a poisoned dagger, a desperate prince, and a mysterious sapphire. The narrative blends Irish humor with exotic intrigue, culminating in a twist ending that challenges the reader's perception of the story's reality.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in late 19th-century New York, Charles M. Snyder's *The Flaw in the Sapphire* introduces Dennis Muldoon, a spirited young Irishman expelled from his father's clothing store for his unconventional business methods. After moving to New York City, Dennis secures a position at a publishing house, where he meets a widow who reads him a bizarre tale within the tale. This embedded story shifts dramatically from a dramatic escape in India to a tense confrontation between a detective and a cunning Sepoy. Initially appearing as a villain, the Sepoy reveals a complex moral code, leaving the detective bound and gagged before his eventual capture by police. The narrative explores themes of character, morality, and the nature of storytelling itself, characterized by Snyder's playful language and unexpected plot twists. The book's whimsical tone is evident in Dennis's journey from a struggling merchant to a budding writer, as well as in the widow's reading of the story. The tale within the tale features a prince, a poisoned dagger, and a sapphire, with the Sepoy's actions blurring the lines between good and evil. The story's ambiguous conclusion leaves readers debating whether the detective will succumb to temptation or uphold his integrity. Ultimately, the book is a delightful exploration of human nature, with Snyder's unique voice and engaging narrative style making it a memorable read for fans of classic literature and moral fables.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg23752.epub

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2026-07-04 03:41 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Frame stories