The Lone Inn by Fergus Hume (1894)
The story revolves around a mysterious murder that takes place at the Lone Inn, a remote and isolated establishment located near a swamp. The victim is a wealthy gentleman who was traveling with a large sum of money. The investigation that follows reveals a complex web of relationships and motives among the inn's occupants, including the proprietor, his daughter, and several guests. As the detective digs deeper, he uncovers a tangled history of love, greed, and deceit that ultimately led to the murder.
By Fergus Hume · First published 1894 · Genre: Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Romance · 15 chapters · 46,538 words
First lines
If there be aught in presentiments I was well warned by that first glimpse of the inn. The monstrous bulk of gables, sloping roofs, and lean chimneys, hunched blackly against the sky, would have scared a bolder spirit than mine. All day I had walked under blue sky, between green hedgerows, with light heart and whistling lip. Confronted in the twilight by so sinister a scene I felt qualmish. Ragged clouds dropped their fringes over sullen western red, around spread the salt marshes, evil in their desolation, and I with chilled blood stared at the lonely mansion dominating the outlook. Here, thought I, an adventure awaits me. The hour, the house, the scene, hint at romance, and that of the strangest.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lone Inn is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Romance, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 46,538 words
- Structure: 15 chapters, 1,253 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lone Inn 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 The Lone Inn?
- How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Creature Of The Night by Fergus Hume
- The Secret Passage by Fergus Hume
- The Silent House by Fergus Hume
- The Purple Fern by Fergus Hume
- The Yellow Holly by Fergus Hume
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the mysterious circumstances of the inn, the characters' hidden motives, and the suspense surrounding the arrival of Felix Briarfield.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting of the ominous inn, the dark atmosphere, and themes of foreboding contribute to a Gothic tone.
- Romance — The relationships between characters, particularly the love triangle involving Francis, Felix, and Olivia, are central to the narrative.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and interpersonal tensions among the characters create a dramatic narrative.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Detective Fiction · Classic Literature · 19th Century · British Literature · Gothic Fiction · Haunted House · Isolated Setting · Murder Mystery · Whodunit
Contents
- The Adventure at the Inn
- The Sequel to the Adventure at the Inn
- Felix or Francis?
- Olivia's Evidence
- An Astounding Discovery
- The Man in Paris
- Links in the Chain of Evidence
- A Clew to the Mystery
- Another Surprise
- A Woman Scorned
- Transformation
- Back from the Grave
- Perplexity
- The Hunting of Man
- What Really Happened at the Fen Inn