The Lisson Grove Mystery
"The Lisson Grove Mystery" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a detective story featuring the enigmatic "man in the corner," who unravels a complex murder case. The narrative begins with the discovery of dismembered human remains in Wembley Park, which are later identified as belonging to James Arthur Dyke, a crippled old man living in Lisson Grove Crescent. His daughter, Amelia Dyke, returns from a trip to Edinburgh to find her father missing, prompting a police investigation. The case takes a turn when Amelia and her fiancé, Alfred Wyatt, are arrested for the murder. The prosecution presents evidence suggesting Wyatt killed Dyke to gain access to a £4,000 inheritance. Witnesses testify about suspicious activities, including a quarrel overheard between Amelia and her father, and Wyatt's movements on the day of the murder. Wyatt's defense hinges on proving Dyke was alive after the alleged time of death. Witnesses confirm seeing or hearing Dyke late into the evening, creating doubt about Wyatt's involvement. The court ultimately discharges Wyatt and Amelia due to insufficient evidence. The "man in the corner" concludes that Wyatt and Amelia orchestrated an elaborate scheme to murder Dyke and secure the inheritance. He suggests the murder occurred earlier than believed, with Wyatt impersonating Dyke to mislead witnesses. The story ends with the "man in the corner" admiring the criminals' cunning, despite their escape from justice.
By Baroness Emmuska Orczy · First published 1909 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction · 4 chapters · 6,435 words
First lines
The man in the corner ordered another glass of milk, and timidly asked for a second cheese-cake at the same time.
"I am going down to Marylebone Police Court, to see those people brought up before the ‘Beak," he remarked.
Similar titles
- Murder By The Clock by Rufus King
- Bones by Edgar Wallace
- The Dark Eyes Of London by Edgar Wallace
- The Patient In Room 18 by Mignon G. Eberhart
- The Face In The Night by Edgar Wallace
- The Hand In The Dark by Arthur J. Rees
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a puzzling murder and a convoluted investigation that keeps the reader questioning what truly happened.
- Crime Fiction — The narrative centers on a brutal double murder for monetary gain, involving cunning, calculated criminal acts and cover-ups.
- Detective Fiction — The story features police investigations, courtroom testimonies, and the gathering of evidence to unravel the mystery.
- Suspense — The gradual revelation of clues and the tension inherent in the unfolding events create a sense of anticipation and anxiety.
Tags
mystery · detective fiction · crime · thriller · investigation · suspense · London · historical fiction · gothic · intrigue · plot twist · puzzle
What this Textopian page supports
The Lisson Grove Mystery is listed on Textopian as a short story by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Dark Comedy
- Length: 6,435 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 112 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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