The Agony Column
The Agony Column is a novel by Earl Derr Biggers that was published in 1916. The story follows a young American woman named Jeanne who travels to London and becomes involved with a mysterious man known only as "Mr. X." As she tries to uncover his true identity, she finds herself caught up in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that could have deadly consequences. Along the way, she meets a cast of colorful characters, including a charming con artist named Peter and a wealthy socialite named Lady Jane. The novel is known for its intricate plotting and suspenseful twists and turns.
By Earl Derr Biggers · First published 1916 · Genre: Mystery, Romance, Thriller · 9 chapters · 30,317 words
First lines
London that historic summer was almost unbearably hot. It seems, looking back, as though the big baking city in those days was meant to serve as an anteroom of torture -- an inadequate bit of preparation for the hell that was soon to break in the guise of the Great War. About the soda-water bar in the drug store near the Hotel Cecil many American tourists found solace in the sirups and creams of home. Through the open windows of the Piccadilly tea shops you might catch glimpses of the English consuming quarts of hot tea in order to become cool. It is a paradox they swear by.
What this Textopian page supports
The Agony Column is listed on Textopian as a novel by Earl Derr Biggers, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Earl Derr Biggers
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Adventure
- Length: 30,317 words
- Structure: 9 chapters, 620 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Agony Column by Earl Derr Biggers
- 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Agony Column?
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Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around solving a crime, with clues and suspenseful elements.
- Romance — There is a significant subplot involving a romantic relationship between two characters.
- Thriller — The story contains elements of suspense, tension, and excitement.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and a quest, with elements of danger and risk.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · suspense · thriller · literary · fiction · journalism · investigation · drama · romance · historical
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX