The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

A wealthy Melbourne businessman is murdered in a hansom cab, and the main suspect is an impoverished gentleman who was seen arguing with the victim earlier that night. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems, and the truth behind the murder is far more complex than initially suspected.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1886 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime · 35 chapters · 108,993 words

First lines

The following report appeared in the Argus newspaper of Saturday, the 28th July, 18 --

What this Textopian page supports

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Historical Fiction
• Length: 108,993 words
• Structure: 35 chapters, 2,495 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Mystery of a Hansom Cab 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 Mystery of a Hansom Cab?
• 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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Genres

• Mystery — The plot revolves around an unsolved murder, creating suspense and intrigue as characters seek to uncover the truth.
• Detective Fiction — The narrative features detectives and witnesses piecing together clues to solve a crime, characteristic of the detective genre.
• Crime — The central theme involves a murder and the investigation that follows, focusing on criminal acts and their consequences.
• Thriller — The story maintains a tense atmosphere as the characters navigate danger and uncertainty surrounding the murder.

Tags

Mystery · Crime Fiction · Detective Novel · Australian Literature · 19th Century · London Setting · Hansom Cab · Murder Mystery · Suspenseful · Thrilling · Classic Whodunit · Gripping Storyline

Contents

• What the Argus Said
• The Evidence at the Inquest
• One Hundred Pounds Reward
• Mr. Gorby Makes a Start
• Mrs. Hamilton Unbosoms herself
• Mr. Gorby Makes further Discoveries
• The Wool King
• Brian Takes a Walk and a Drive
• Mr. Gorby is Satisfied at Last
• In the Queen's Name
• Counsel for the Prisoner
• She was a True Woman
• Madge Makes a Discovery
• Another Richmond in the Field
• A Woman of the People
• Missing
• The Trial
• Sal Rawlins Tells all she Knows
• The Verdict of the Jury
• The "Argus" Gives its Opinion
• Three Months Afterwards
• A Daughter of Eve
• Across the Walnuts and the Wine
• Brian Receives a Letter
• What Dr. Chinston Said
• Kilsip has a Theory of his own
• Mother Guttersnipe Joins the Majority
• Mark Frettlby has a Visitor
• Mr. Calton's Curiosity is Satisfied
• Nemesis
• Hush-Money
• De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bonum
• The Confession
• The Hands of Justice
• "the Love that Lives."

More by Fergus Hume

• The Mystery Queen (1912)
• The Caravan Crime (1924)
• The Crowned Skull (1908)
• The Green Mummy (1908)
• The Secret Passage (1905)
• Madame Midas (1888)
• Red Money (1892)
• The Silent House (1899)
• All works by Fergus Hume