The Hand in the Dark

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20546

Title

The Hand in the Dark

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the atmospheric moat-house of the Heredith family, this 1920 mystery explores themes of jealousy, revenge, and the enduring weight of history. When Violet Heredith is found dead, suspicion falls on the housekeeper's daughter, Hazel, but the truth reveals a darker, more complex web of passion and deception involving a returning soldier and a family haunted by its bloody past.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the autumn of 1918 at the ancient Heredith moat-house, Arthur J. Rees's *The Hand in the Dark* unfolds as a gothic mystery steeped in history and superstition. The house, founded by a Norman ancestor who killed a Saxon knight, carries a prophecy that it would end in horror. The narrative centers on the sudden death of Violet Heredith, the young wife of the protagonist, Philip. Upon her discovery, the family and Detective Caldew suspect Hazel Rath, the housekeeper's daughter, of murder driven by jealousy. Physical evidence, including a revolver and a brooch, seemingly implicates Hazel. However, Philip remains convinced of Hazel's innocence. As the investigation deepens, Philip's own secret begins to unravel. Through a series of flashbacks and a final confession, the truth emerges: Philip himself killed Violet earlier that night. Driven by a twisted sense of honor and a desire to destroy what he perceived as a 'living lie' in his wife's life, he staged the crime. He intended to burn the body and frame the situation to ruin her reputation, believing she had been unfaithful. The plan went awry when Hazel entered the room, screamed, and accidentally picked up the weapon, leading to her arrest. Philip's confession reveals his madness and the tragic irony of his actions; his attempt to save Hazel from a false accusation ultimately led to his own downfall. He dies shortly after revealing the truth, leaving his aunt, Miss Heredith, and the detective to grapple with the moral complexities of the case. The story concludes with the realization that the house, founded in horror, ends in horror, fulfilling an ancient prophecy. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of obsession, the thin line between justice and vengeance, and the capacity for human beings to commit terrible acts under the guise of moral righteousness.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Mystery