The Last Word by E.W. Hornung (1908)
The Last Word is a novel by E.W. Hornung that follows the story of a man named John Raffles who is a gentleman thief and cricketer. The book explores themes of morality, justice, and class in Victorian England.
By E.W. Hornung · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 2,481 words
First lines
The last of all these tales of Raffles is from a fresher and a sweeter pen. I give it exactly as it came to me, in a letter which meant more to me than it can possibly mean to any other reader. And yet, it may stand for something with those for whom these pale reflections have a tithe of the charm that the real man had for me; and it is to leave such persons thinking yet a little better of him (and not wasting another thought on me) that I am permitted to retail the very last word about their hero and mine.
The letter was my first healing after a chance encounter and a sleepless night; and I print every word of it except the last.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Word is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.W. Hornung, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: E.W. Hornung
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Word by E.W. Hornung
- 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 Last Word?
- How does this short story by E.W. Hornung fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Strangers Latchkey by R. Austin Freeman
- As A Thief In The Night by R. Austin Freeman
- The Shadow Of The Wolf by R. Austin Freeman
- Pandoras Box by R. Austin Freeman
- The Fiend Of The Cooperage by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Percival Blands Proxy by R. Austin Freeman
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around solving a puzzle or crime, with clues and suspense driving the plot.
- Adventure — The story involves physical challenges, travels, and exploration, often in exotic or dangerous locations.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are based on real historical periods, with a blend of factual and fictional elements.
Tags
mystery · crime · suspense · detective · thriller · literature · fiction · short stories · narrative · plot twist · investigation · murder