Miss Mephistopheles by Fergus Hume

Name: Miss Mephistopheles
Author: Fergus Hume

The story revolves around a mysterious and beautiful woman named Miss Mephistopheles who appears in the town of Ravenshurst, sparking curiosity and fascination among its residents. She rents a mansion on the outskirts of town and begins to host lavish parties, drawing in the local elite with her charm and beauty. However, rumors soon spread about her alleged supernatural powers and mysterious past, leading to a series of strange events and unexplained occurrences. As the townspeople become increasingly enthralled by Miss Mephistopheles, they begin to uncover dark secrets about her true nature and intentions, threatening to destroy their lives forever.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 30 chapters · 82,411 words

First lines

A wet Sunday -- dreary, dismal, and infinitely sloppy. Even the bells ringing the people into evening service seemed to feel the depressing influence of the weather, and their brazen voices sounded hoarse and grumbling, as if they rang under protest. Cold, too! -- not a brisk sharp frost -- for here in Melbourne frost and snow are unknown; but a persevering, insinuating, gnawing cold, just disagreeable enough to make one shiver and shake with anxiety to get home to a bright fire and dry clothes. Overhead a leaden-coloured sky, with great masses of black clouds, from out whose sombre bosoms poured the steady rain, splashing noisily on the shining roofs, and swelling the gutters in the streets to miniature torrents.

What this Textopian page supports

Miss Mephistopheles is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1890 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Fergus Hume
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Gothic Fiction
Length: 82,411 words
Structure: 30 chapters, 2,435 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Miss Mephistopheles by Fergus Hume
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 Miss Mephistopheles?
How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and their inner lives, focusing on themes of ambition, love, and the struggles of artistic existence.
Drama — The narrative features intense dialogues and character interactions that reveal personal conflicts and emotional depth.
Romance — The relationships between characters, particularly the discussions of love and longing, are central to the plot.
Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world.