The Curved Blades by Carolyn Wells

Name: The Curved Blades
Author: Carolyn Wells

In a lavish estate on Long Island, tensions rise among its inhabitants during a winter evening. The mistress, Lucy Carrington, is wealthy but plain, harboring unfulfilled romantic aspirations. She is frustrated by her lack of beauty and the perceived indifference of her guests, particularly her cousin Gray Haviland and his companion, Anita Frayne. As they engage in a game of bridge, Lucy's temper flares due to her bad luck, leading to confrontations with Anita and Haviland. Count Henri Charlier, a charming visitor, seems to show interest in Lucy, igniting her hopes for a proposal. However, her volatile nature and sharp tongue alienate those around her, including her niece, Pauline Stuart, and her suitor, Stephen Illsley. The game of bridge becomes a battleground for Lucy's frustrations, as she lashes out at her companions for their perceived slights. Despite moments of triumph in the game, Lucy's anger resurfaces when luck turns against her, prompting her to throw cards in frustration. The evening unfolds with a mix of social maneuvering, unspoken desires, and the looming question of whether Lucy's dreams of love will be realized or dashed by her own temperament. The narrative explores themes of beauty, social status, and the complexities of human relationships.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1924 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense · 24 chapters · 83,006 words

First lines

"Garden Steps" was one of the show-places of Merivale Park, Long Island. In summer it was an enchanting spot, and the dazzling white marble steps which led to the sunken gardens justified their right to give the place its name. Other stone steps gave on terraces and flower banks, others still led to the Italian landscape gardens, and a few rustic steps of a wooden stile transported one to an old-fashioned garden, whose larkspur and Canterbury bells were the finest of their sort.

What this Textopian page supports

The Curved Blades is listed on Textopian as a novel by Carolyn Wells, dated 1924 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Carolyn Wells
Date: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Suspense, Adventure, Romantic Fiction
Length: 83,006 words
Structure: 24 chapters, 2,051 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Mystery — The Curved Blades is a novel which revolves around a murder mystery involving a rich family, fitting within the mystery genre.
Detective Fiction — The book features the recurring character of detective Fleming Stone who uses investigative skills to solve the crime, classifying it as detective fiction.
Suspense — The author weaves suspense throughout the narrative, leaving readers in anticipation of the unfolding events and eventual resolution.
Adventure — The multitude of twists and turns and the pursuit of uncovering the truth lends the novel an adventure element.