
The Hand in the Dark
The story follows the investigation of a series of mysterious deaths in a small English village. The victims are all found with their hands clasped in prayer, and the only clue is a mysterious handprint found at the scene of each crime. The local police are baffled, and the case is taken up by a Scotland Yard detective, Inspector French. He soon discovers that the deaths are linked to a sinister cult, and that the handprint is the mark of its leader. French must unravel the cult's secrets and unmask the murderer before more innocent lives are taken. Along the way, he must confront his own inner demons and confront the darkness that lurks in the shadows. The Hand in the Dark is a classic mystery novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
By Arthur J. Rees · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction · 28 chapters · 107,200 words
First lines
Seen in the sad glamour of an English twilight, the old moat-house, emerging from the thin mists which veiled the green flats in which it stood, conveyed the impression of a habitation falling into senility, tired with centuries of existence. Houses grow old like the race of men; the process is not less inevitable, though slower; in both, decay is hastened by events as well as by the passage of Time.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hand in the Dark is listed on Textopian as a novel by Arthur J. Rees, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Arthur J. Rees
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 107,200 words
- Structure: 28 chapters, 3,750 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hand in the Dark by Arthur J. Rees
- 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 Hand in the Dark?
- How does this novel by Arthur J. Rees fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Mystery — The Hand in the Dark is a mystery novel by Arthur J. Rees, which follows the story of a young man who is trying to solve a mysterious disappearance. The novel is full of suspense and intrigue, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth.
- Thriller — The Hand in the Dark is a thrilling novel by Arthur J. Rees, which follows the story of a young man who is trying to solve a mysterious disappearance. The novel is full of suspense and danger, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth.
- Crime Fiction — The Hand in the Dark is a crime fiction novel by Arthur J. Rees, which follows the story of a young man who is trying to solve a mysterious disappearance. The novel is full of suspense and danger, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth and bring justice to the case.
- Detective Fiction — The Hand in the Dark is a detective fiction novel by Arthur J. Rees, which follows the story of a young man who is trying to solve a mysterious disappearance. The novel is full of suspense and danger, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth and bring justice to the case.
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · detective · crime · investigation · dark · secrets · intrigue · plot twists · psychological · noir
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII
- CHAPTER XIX
- CHAPTER XX
- CHAPTER XXI
- CHAPTER XXII
- CHAPTER XXIII
- CHAPTER XXIV
- CHAPTER XXV
- CHAPTER XXVI
- CHAPTER XXVII
- CHAPTER XXVIII
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