The Sentence of the Court

Name: The Sentence of the Court
Author: Fred M. White

The Sentence of the Court is a novel by Fred M. White, first published in 1895. It tells the story of a young man, John Denton, who is accused of murder and sentenced to death. He is defended by a brilliant lawyer, who manages to get the sentence commuted to life imprisonment. John is sent to a prison in the English countryside, where he meets a variety of characters, including a kindly prison chaplain, a hardened criminal, and a mysterious woman who visits him in secret. As he adjusts to life in prison, John discovers a hidden talent for writing, and begins to write a novel about his experiences. Meanwhile, his lawyer continues to work on his case, and eventually manages to get him released. John is reunited with his family, and his novel is published to great acclaim. He is eventually exonerated of the crime, and his story serves as a warning to others of the dangers of wrongful conviction.

By Fred M. White · First published 1913 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Legal Fiction · 40 chapters · 86,541 words

First lines

Everard Gilray struggled to be free. What did this outrage mean? Who was this ragged, seedy fellow, who had thus dared to attack him on his own doorstep on the stroke of twelve? And this was not some slum in the East End--it was the respectable, dull, decorous Harley-street. Gilray had had slipped his Yale key in the front door, the polished mahogany portal stood open, showing the luxury and comfort and elegance of the hall in the dim, shaded electric light when this ragged nomad had emerged from the shadows and gripped him by the shoulder.

A beggar no doubt, some impudent fellow relying on the lateness of the hour and the stillness of the street to enforce a demand for alms.

What this Textopian page supports

The Sentence of the Court is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fred M. White, dated 1913 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Fred M. White
Date: 1913 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Legal Fiction, Crime Fiction
Length: 86,541 words
Structure: 40 chapters, 2,808 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for The Sentence of the Court by Fred M. White
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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The title suggests a court case, which could involve a mystery or crime that needs to be solved.
Thriller — The title suggests a court case, which could involve a thrilling story with suspenseful elements.
Legal Fiction — The title suggests a court case, which could involve a legal story with courtroom drama.
Crime Fiction — The title suggests a court case, which could involve a crime story with criminal elements.