The Crooked House

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22820

Title

The Crooked House

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A psychological thriller set in London's high society, *The Crooked House* follows Inspector Fay and Monsieur Dupont as they unravel a web of murder, madness, and deception centered on the eccentric George Copplestone and his bizarre mansion. With a tone of gothic mystery and intellectual suspense, the novel explores themes of sanity, obsession, and the hidden secrets that distort human nature.

Summary up to 500 words

In Brandon Fleming's *The Crooked House*, the narrative unfolds in London around the eccentric millionaire George Copplestone, whose residence is a physical labyrinth of crooked angles and endless corridors. The story is set in motion when Monsieur Dupont, a former French Secret Service agent, visits the Right-Honorable John Tranter to solve a riddle involving a series of murders. Dupont invites Tranter to a dinner at Copplestone's bizarre home, where the gathering is interrupted by the death of Miss Christine Manderson in the garden. Inspector Fay initially suspects Tranter, a Privy Councillor with a dark past in America, but the investigation reveals a deeper conspiracy. Dupont, tracking Tranter to expose his madness, orchestrates a trap. The truth emerges that Copplestone is not the wealthy heir he appears to be, but the illegitimate son of Oscar Winslowe, a criminal driven insane by the delusion that he was his father's heir. Copplestone himself suffers from a similar madness, believing he is Winslowe's son and destined to inherit his father's curse. Tranter, suffering from a comparable insanity, is revealed to be the true killer. He had previously murdered two women and killed Manderson in a fit of passion triggered by his fading love for her. Dupont uses his knowledge of Tranter's psychological state to manipulate him, leading to a confession. Meanwhile, the wrongly accused Michael Cranbourne (who was in love with Manderson) is cleared of the charges. The novel concludes with Copplestone's redemption; freed from his delusions, he finds happiness with Mrs. Astley-Rolfe. The story blends a gothic atmosphere with a gripping detective narrative, exploring themes of madness, identity, and the power of love to restrain or fail against insanity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Mystery