The death of a millionaire

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79206

Title

The death of a millionaire

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A witty, satirical mystery where a millionaire's death is a elaborate con. G. D. H. Cole and Margaret Cole blend social commentary with detective intrigue, exploring class, law, and morality through a cast of charming rogues and bewildered officials.

Summary up to 500 words

In G. D. H. Cole and Margaret Cole's *The Death of a Millionaire*, a chaotic mystery unfolds at London's exclusive Sugden's Hotel. The Earl of Ealing arrives early to find his American friend, Hugh Restington, missing. Upon discovering a ransacked room and a bloodstained sheet, the staff assumes murder has occurred. Inspector Blaikie and Superintendent Wilson investigate, uncovering a complex web involving escaped prisoners, forged wills, and identity swaps. The plot thickens with revelations about a Russian accomplice, a body that was not the millionaire's, and a daring escape from a Siberian prison. As the case unravels, the wealthy Earl manipulates the situation to protect his commercial interests, while the protagonist, John Pasquett, admits to the elaborate deception. Pasquett reveals he acted to challenge rigid property rights and the law itself, claiming he had a moral right to Hugh Restington's fortune since the millionaire was about to die anyway. The narrative concludes with the criminals prospering, the case dropped, and a cynical reflection on morality. The story serves as a sharp critique of British society, the legal system, and the hypocrisy of the upper class, wrapped in a fast-paced, humorous adventure. Ultimately, the 'wicked' flourish while the 'righteous' suffer, suggesting that the law is often an 'ass' and that true morality lies in judging for oneself rather than adhering to societal conventions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79206.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg79206.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-13 09:55 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery