The Secret Passage by Fergus Hume

Name: The Secret Passage
Author: Fergus Hume

The story revolves around a mysterious crime committed at a wealthy businessman's country house, where a valuable necklace disappears and a murder takes place. The main suspect is the businessman's nephew, who had previously been in trouble with the law. However, an amateur detective, who is a friend of the family, becomes involved in the case and uncovers a complex web of deceit and conspiracy that leads to the true culprit.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1905 · Genre: Mystery, Drama, Literary Fiction · 26 chapters · 109,650 words

First lines

"What IS your name?"

"Susan Grant, Miss Loach."

What this Textopian page supports

The Secret Passage is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Drama, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller
Length: 109,650 words
Structure: 26 chapters, 2,741 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Secret Passage 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 Secret Passage?
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

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around secrets, hidden identities, and the mysterious past of the characters, particularly Susan's father's death.
Drama — The themes of class struggle, personal conflict, and emotional turmoil are central to the narrative, focusing on the lives of the characters.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is character-driven, exploring complex emotions and social dynamics, typical of literary fiction.
Historical Fiction — The setting reflects a specific time period with social norms and class distinctions relevant to the era.