The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel
"The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel" is a novel written by A.E.W. Mason in 1902. The story takes place at a hotel in Paris, where a group of strangers gather for a weekend, only to find themselves embroiled in a mysterious and deadly affair. As the guests begin to die one by one, they realize that they are trapped in the hotel with a killer, and must work together to uncover the truth behind the murders. The novel is known for its intricate plotting, suspenseful atmosphere, and memorable characters, which make it a classic of the detective genre.
By A.E.W. Mason · First published 1917 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller · 4 chapters · 20,919 words
First lines
Mr. Ricardo, when the excitements of the Villa Rose were done with, returned to Grosvenor Square and resumed the busy, unnecessary life of an amateur. But the studios had lost their savour, artists their attractiveness, and even the Russian opera seemed a trifle flat. Life was altogether a disappointment; Fate, like an actress at a restaurant, had taken the wooden pestle in her hand and stirred all the sparkle out of the champagne; Mr. Ricardo languished -- until one unforgettable morning.
What this Textopian page supports
The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel is listed on Textopian as a novel by A.E.W. Mason, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: A.E.W. Mason
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Drama
- Length: 20,919 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 552 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel by A.E.W. Mason
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel?
- How does this novel by A.E.W. Mason fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- At The Villa Rose by A. E. W. Mason
- The Four Corners Of The World by A. E. W. Mason
- The Turnstile by A. E. W. Mason
- Running Water by A. E. W. Mason
- The Witness For The Defence by A. E. W. Mason
- Miranda Of The Balcony by A. E. W. Mason
Genres
- Mystery — The novel follows an investigation around mysterious happenings at Semiramis Hotel. There are elements of suspense and unexpected twists, common traits found in mystery books.
- Detective Fiction — The main protagonist, Inspector Hanaud, is a detective who resolves crime cases in the plot. The way these crimes are solved tends to follow a systematic detective method.
- Thriller — Thriller elements are prevalent throughout the novel with its tension-filled plot, a sense of looming danger, and elements of excitement and suspense.
- Drama — The book also introduces dramatic elements in the challenges and emotional upheavals faced by the characters, adding to the depth and complexity of the story.
Tags
asked · back · calladine · came · carew · could · cried · detective and mystery stories · door · eyes · face · fiction