The Witness for the Defence
"The Witness for the Defence" is a legal thriller novel written by A.E.W. Mason, first published in 1908. The story follows the trial of a young man named Philip Essex, who is accused of murdering his father-in-law. With the help of his loyal friend and lawyer, Richard Marrable, Philip must prove his innocence and uncover the truth behind the crime. As the trial progresses, Marrable discovers that there are more sinister forces at play, including a corrupt police officer and a mysterious woman from Philip's past. With their lives on the line, Marrable and Philip must race against time to uncover the truth and secure their freedom. The novel is known for its intricate plotting, clever twists, and suspenseful atmosphere, making it a classic of the legal thriller genre.
By A.E.W. Mason · First published 1913 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Legal thriller · 27 chapters · 88,868 words
First lines
The beginning of all this difficult business was a little speech which Mrs. Thresk fell into a habit of making to her son. She spoke it the first time on the spur of the moment without thought or intention. But she saw that it hurt. So she used it again -- to keep Henry in his proper place.
"You have no right to talk, Henry," she would say in the hard practical voice which so completed her self-sufficiency. "You are not earning your living. You are still dependent upon us;" and she would add with a note of triumph: "Remember, if anything were to happen to your dear father you would have to shift for yourself, for everything has been left to me."
What this Textopian page supports
The Witness for the Defence is listed on Textopian as a novel by A.E.W. Mason, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Legal thriller, Suspense, Drama
- Length: 88,868 words
- Structure: 27 chapters, 2,158 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Witness for the Defence 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 Witness for the Defence?
- 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
- The Four Corners Of The World by A. E. W. Mason
- The Truants by A. E. W. Mason
- The Turnstile by A. E. W. Mason
- Running Water by A. E. W. Mason
- The Affair At The Semiramis Hotel by A. E. W. Mason
- The Summons by A. E. W. Mason
Genres
- Mystery — The main plot revolves around solving a crime and deciphering the truth.
- Crime — The story involves a murder case and the subsequent legal proceedings.
- Legal thriller — Central theme includes courtroom drama and the defense of a woman accused of murder.
- Suspense — Many sequences are intended to maintain suspense about the outcome of events.
Tags
asked · back · ballantyne · came · come · could · dick · eyes · face · great · hazlewood · historical fiction
Contents
- HENRY THRESK
- ON BIGNOR HILL
- IN BOMBAY
- JANE REPTON
- THE QUEST
- IN THE TENT AT CHITIPTUR
- THE PHOTOGRAPH
- AND THE RIFLE
- AN EPISODE IN BALLANTYNE'S LIFE
- NEWS FROM CHITIPUR
- THRESK INTERVENES
- THRESK GIVES EVIDENCE
- LITTLE BEEDING AGAIN
- THE HAZLEWOODS
- THE GREAT CRUSADE
- CONSEQUENCES
- TROUBLE FOR MR. HAZLEWOOD
- MR. HAZLEWOOD SEEKS ADVICE
- PETTIFER'S PLAN
- ON THE DOWNS
- THE LETTER IS WRITTEN
- A WAY OUT OF THE TRAP
- METHODS FROM FRANCE
- THE WITNESS
- IN THE LIBRARY
- TWO STRANGERS
- THE VERDICT