The narrative revolves around a baffling crime involving an attempted murder in a locked room, known as "The Yellow Room," where Mademoiselle Stangerson is attacked. The story is narrated by a friend of the young detective Joseph Rouletabille, who is determined to solve the mystery surrounding the incident. On the night of October 25, 1892, Mademoiselle Stangerson is found in her room, gravely injured, after a struggle. The room is locked from the inside, and the only window is barred, leading to widespread speculation about how the assailant could have escaped. The investigation reveals that the professor and his daughter had been working on groundbreaking scientific theories, which adds a layer of intrigue to the case. Rouletabille, an eighteen-year-old reporter, takes on the challenge of uncovering the truth. He discovers that Mademoiselle Stangerson had been acting strangely in the days leading up to the attack, expressing fears of an unknown threat. The investigation is complicated by the presence of various characters, including the professor, the concierges, and the enigmatic forest-keeper, who all have their own motives and secrets. As Rouletabille delves deeper, he uncovers clues that suggest the assailant may have had a personal connection to the Stangersons. He theorizes that the attacker was familiar with the layout of the château and had planned the crime meticulously. The narrative unfolds with a series of twists and turns, as Rouletabille pieces together evidence, including a bloodied handkerchief and footprints, leading to the conclusion that the assailant was not a stranger but someone close to the family. The climax reveals that the murderer had indeed escaped through a hidden passage, a detail overlooked by the authorities. Rouletabille's keen observations and logical deductions ultimately lead to the identification of the assailant, who is revealed to be a figure from the Stangersons' past, driven by jealousy and revenge. The story concludes with the resolution of the mystery, highlighting themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a thrilling detective narrative.
By Gaston Leroux · First published 1888 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller · 29 chapters