Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley
"Trent's Last Case" by E.C. Bentley follows the investigation into the murder of Sigsbee Manderson, a powerful and wealthy financier whose death sends shockwaves through the financial world. The story begins with Manderson's mysterious demise, found shot in the head on his estate. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Philip Trent, a journalist and amateur detective, who is drawn into the case due to his connections and the intrigue surrounding Manderson's life and death. As Trent delves deeper, he uncovers the complexities of Manderson's character, revealing a man who, despite his wealth and influence, lacked genuine relationships and was disliked by many. The investigation leads Trent to explore the dynamics of Manderson's marriage to Mabel, who is portrayed as a woman trapped in a tumultuous relationship, further complicating the motives behind the murder. Throughout the novel, themes of greed, betrayal, and the moral implications of wealth are examined, as Trent navigates through a web of deceit and hidden truths. The story culminates in a surprising resolution that challenges the reader's perceptions of justice and morality, ultimately questioning the value of human life in the face of ambition and power.
By E.C. Bentley · First published 1913 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime · 16 chapters · 87,691 words
First lines
Between what matters and what seems to matter, how should the world we know judge wisely?
When the scheming, indomitable brain of Sigsbee Manderson was scattered by a shot from an unknown hand, that world lost nothing worth a single tear; it gained something memorable in a harsh reminder of the vanity of such wealth as this dead man had piled up -- without making one loyal friend to mourn him, without doing an act that could help his memory to the least honour. But when the news of his end came, it seemed to those living in the great vortices of business as if the earth too shuddered under a blow.
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Trent's Last Case is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.C. Bentley, 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: E.C. Bentley
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime, Literary Fiction, Thriller
- Length: 87,691 words
- Structure: 16 chapters, 832 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- The Markenmore Mystery by J. S. Fletcher
- The Canary Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine
- The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine
- The Middle Of Things by J. S. Fletcher
- The Root Of All Evil by J. S. Fletcher
- The Crime At Black Dudley by Margery Allingham
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder investigation, central to the mystery genre.
- Detective Fiction — Features a detective protagonist solving a case, characteristic of detective fiction.
- Crime — Involves criminal activities and their consequences, aligning with crime genre themes.
- Literary Fiction — Explores deeper themes of morality and human nature, typical of literary fiction.
Tags
Mystery · Detective Fiction · Whodunit · Classic Detective Story · English Literature · Golden Age of Detective Fiction · Private Investigator · London Setting · Social Commentary · Class Satire · Family Drama · Murder Mystery
Contents
- Bad News
- Knocking the Town Endways
- Breakfast
- Handcuffs in the Air
- Poking About
- Mr. Bunner on the Case
- The Lady in Black
- The Inquest
- A Hot Scent
- The Wife of Dives
- Hitherto Unpublished
- Evil Days
- Eruption
- Writing a Letter
- Double Cunning
- The Last Straw