The Angel of Terror

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21530

Title

The Angel of Terror

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edgar Wallace's *The Angel of Terror* delivers a gripping courtroom drama and noir thriller centered on James Meredith, a wealthy man convicted of murder but spared death due to his fortune. The narrative shifts to Lydia Beale, a spirited illustrator who inherits her father's debts and finds herself entangled in a web of crime, gambling, and murder in Monte Carlo. With a tone of suspense and moral ambiguity, the novel explores themes of class, justice, and redemption, offering a fast-paced...

Summary up to 500 words

Edgar Wallace's *The Angel of Terror* opens with the conclusion of the Berkeley Street Murder Trial, where James Meredith is convicted of killing Ferdinand Bulford out of jealous rage. Despite the jury's recommendation for mercy, public opinion initially leans toward hanging the wealthy defendant. However, the testimony of his fiancée, Jean Briggerland, and his financial status secure a commutation of his sentence to life imprisonment. Lawyers Jack Glover and Mr. Rennett discuss the case; while Glover is cynical, Rennett expresses a deep desire to help Meredith, motivated by a family connection to the victim's father. The narrative then shifts to Lydia Beale, an illustrator and former model who inherits her father's substantial debts. After assuming responsibility for these obligations, she works at the *Daily Megaphone*. Her life becomes entangled with Marcus Stepney, a charming but dubious gambler, and Jean Briggerland, a beautiful woman with a troubled past. Lydia is drawn into Stepney's world of high-stakes gambling in Cap Martin. Tensions escalate when Lydia and Jean are targeted by an unseen shooter during a seaside outing. Lydia's father, Mr. Briggerland, is injured while investigating the shooter, and Lydia is nearly killed. Stepney helps her escape, revealing his own criminal past and his complex connection to Jean. Lydia discovers that Jean is involved in a scheme involving a large sum of money and a hidden past. The plot thickens as Lydia and Marcus flee Europe on a small boat, pursued by police and international authorities. They navigate the dangerous Mediterranean, evading capture and encountering various characters, including a Moroccan leader who offers them refuge. The story builds to a climax as Lydia and Marcus decide to marry, leaving behind their past lives and the crimes that have haunted them. The novel concludes with a sense of resolution, as the characters find a new beginning, though the full extent of the crimes and the fate of some characters remains ambiguous. The story explores themes of class, morality, and redemption, questioning whether wealth can truly shield one from the law and whether love can redeem a life stained by crime.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21530.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg21530.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-08 17:25 UTC

Categories

• Mystery