The Man with a Secret by Fergus Hume

A wealthy businessman named Richard Marston dies under suspicious circumstances, and his nephew, Harold, stands to inherit a large fortune. However, Harold's reputation is tarnished by rumors of a scandalous past, which could jeopardize his inheritance. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that several individuals had motives for the murder, including a mysterious woman who was seen with Marston on the night of his death.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1890 · Genre: Psychological Thriller, Literary Fiction, Drama · 42 chapters · 113,425 words

First lines

"With anxious dread have I avoided thee, Thou haunting evil of my early days, Yet by some trick of Fate we meet again; I pray thee, sir, let me go far away. And place the roaring seas between us twain, There is but sorrow in our comradeship. "

It was the high road to the village of Garsworth, wide, deeply rutted, and somewhat grass-grown, with a tall hedge of yellow-blossomed gorse on the one side, and on the other a ragged, broken fence, over which leaned a man absorbed in meditation, his eyes fixed upon the setting sun.

What this Textopian page supports

The Man with a Secret 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: Psychological Thriller, Literary Fiction, Drama, Mystery, Gothic Fiction
• Length: 113,425 words
• Structure: 42 chapters, 2,569 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Man with a Secret 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 Man with a Secret?
• How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Psychological Thriller first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Lady From Nowhere by Fergus Hume
• The Vanishing Of Tera by Fergus Hume
• The Mystery Of A Turkish Bath by Eliza Margaret Jane Humphreys
• The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins
• The Cabinet Noir by Egerton Castle
• The Last Betrayal by Edith Nesbit

Genres

• Psychological Thriller — The plot revolves around complex character interactions and moral dilemmas, focusing on the psychological struggles of the protagonist.
• Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, exploring deep themes of morality, friendship, and personal demons.
• Drama — The narrative features intense emotional exchanges and character development, highlighting personal conflicts and relationships.
• Mystery — The protagonist's secretive past and the tension surrounding his return to Garsworth create an atmosphere of intrigue.

Tags

Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Detective Fiction · Crime · Murder · Investigation · Secrets · Deception · Betrayal · Family Drama · Marriage

Contents

• An Unexpected Meeting
• His Evil Genius
• Village Gossip
• An Extraordinary Patient
• The Family Circle
• A Morning Walk
• The Housekeeper
• The Blind Organist
• The Views of a Cynic
• The Ghost of a Dead Love
• Mr. Beaumont Makes a Discovery
• The Parable of the Sower
• Dick's Opinion
• The Diplomacy of Basil Beaumont
• A Fantastic Theorist
• The Village Concert
• Anteros
• The Fall of Man
• Jam, Jam Efficaci do Manus Scientiae
• When in Doubt, Play Trumps
• The Good Samaritan
• Phantasmagoria
• The End of all Things
• Mr. Beaumont Wins his Case
• A Dexterous Arrangement
• Una Makes a Confession
• The Squire's will
• The Bitterness of Death
• From Dr. Nestley's Point of View
• A Mother's Affection
• Psalm CVII. 19
• London
• Circe's Cup
• A Word in Season
• A Voice from the Past
• The Calm before the Storm
• A Ruined Life
• Mater Dolorosa
• Father and Son
• Beaumont Plays his Last Card
• A Woman's Heart
• The Dawn of a New Life

More by Fergus Hume

• The Mystery Queen (1912)
• The Caravan Crime (1924)
• The Crowned Skull (1908)
• The Green Mummy (1908)
• The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1886)
• The Secret Passage (1905)
• Madame Midas (1888)
• Red Money (1892)
• All works by Fergus Hume