The Melody of Death by Edgar Wallace

Name: The Melody of Death
Author: Edgar Wallace

"The Melody of Death" by Edgar Wallace follows the story of Mr. Gilderheim, a diamond merchant, who, after locking up a significant sum of diamonds in his safe, leaves his office for the night. Shortly after his departure, two burglars, George Wallis and Callidino, enter the office with the intent to steal the diamonds. They are interrupted by a masked stranger who enters the room and reveals he has been observing their actions. Instead of stopping them, he expresses a desire to learn about their methods. As the burglars continue their work, the masked man engages them in conversation, revealing his knowledge of their plans and movements. After the safe is opened, the masked man departs, leaving the burglars to escape with the loot unnoticed. The narrative shifts to a Derby Day scene where Gilbert Standerton, a contemplative character, reflects on the crowd and the nature of individuals within it, hinting at the complexities of human behavior and morality. The story intertwines themes of crime, observation, and the human condition, culminating in a tension-filled exploration of theft and the motivations behind it.

By Edgar Wallace · First published 1928 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction · 16 chapters · 56,745 words

First lines

On the night of May 27th, 1925, the office of Gilderheim, Pascoe and Company, diamond merchants, of Little Hatton Garden, presented no unusual appearance to the patrolling constable who examined the lock and tried the door in the ordinary course of his duty. Until nine o'clock in the evening the office had been occupied by Mr. Gilderheim and his head clerk, and a plainclothes officer, whose duty it was to inquire into unusual happenings had deemed that the light in the window on the first floor fell within his scope, and had gone up to discover the reason for its appearance. The 27th was a Saturday, and it is usual for the offices in Hatton Garden to be clear of clerks and their principals by three at the latest.

What this Textopian page supports

The Melody of Death is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Wallace, dated 1928 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Edgar Wallace
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Drama, Gothic Fiction
Length: 56,745 words
Structure: 16 chapters, 1,838 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Melody of Death by Edgar Wallace
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 Melody of Death?
How does this novel by Edgar Wallace fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a crime or enigma that needs to be solved.
Thriller — The narrative includes suspenseful elements that create tension and excitement.
Crime Fiction — The story involves criminal activities and the investigation surrounding them.
Drama — The themes explore human emotions and moral dilemmas related to death and loss.