The Talleyrand Maxim

The story revolves around a wealthy and influential family whose patriarch has died under mysterious circumstances. The family's reputation and fortune are threatened by the suspicion of foul play. A detective is hired to investigate the death, uncovering a complex web of deceit and betrayal that goes far beyond a simple murder.

By J.S. Fletcher · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller · 28 chapters · 91,663 words

First lines

Linford Pratt, senior clerk to Eldrick & Pascoe, solicitors, of Barford, a young man who earnestly desired to get on in life, by hook or by crook, with no objection whatever to crookedness, so long as it could be performed in safety and secrecy, had once during one of his periodical visits to the town Reference Library, lighted on a maxim of that other unscrupulous person, Prince Talleyrand, which had pleased him greatly. "With time and patience," said Talleyrand, "the mulberry leaf is turned into satin. " This seemed to Linford Pratt one of the finest and soundest pieces of wisdom which he had ever known put into words.

What this Textopian page supports

The Talleyrand Maxim is listed on Textopian as a novel by J.S. Fletcher, dated 1908 CE.

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

• Work type: Novel
• Author: J.S. Fletcher
• Date: 1908 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Detective, Fiction
• Length: 91,663 words
• Structure: 28 chapters, 1,518 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Talleyrand Maxim by J.S. Fletcher
• 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 Talleyrand Maxim?
• How does this novel by J.S. Fletcher fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Rayner Slade Amalgamation by J. S. Fletcher
• The Pit Prop Syndicate by Freeman Wills Crofts
• The Root Of All Evil by J. S. Fletcher
• The Orange Yellow Diamond by J. S. Fletcher
• The Charing Cross Mystery by J. S. Fletcher
• The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher

Genres

• Mystery — The plot revolves around a mysterious death and the subsequent investigation.
• Crime — The narrative involves criminal activities and the pursuit of justice.
• Thriller — The story maintains suspense and tension throughout.
• Detective — Features a detective character who solves the central mystery.

Tags

Mystery · Thriller · Detective Fiction · Crime Novel · Historical Fiction · English Literature · Classic Mystery · Victorian Era · London Setting · Police Procedural · Whodunit · Plot Twist

Contents

• Death Brings Opportunity
• In Trust
• The Shop-Boy
• The Fortunate Possessors
• Point-Blank
• The Unexpected
• The Supreme Inducement
• Terms
• Until Next Spring
• The Foot-Bridge
• The Prevalent Atmosphere
• The Power of Attorney
• The First Trick
• Cards on the Table
• Pratt Offers a Hand
• A Headquarters Conference
• Advertisement
• The Confiding Landlord
• The Eye-Witness
• The _green Man_
• The Direct Charge
• The Cat'Spaw
• Smooth Face and Anxious Brain
• The Better Half
• Dry Sherry
• The Telephone Message
• Restored to Energy
• The Woman in Black

More by J.S. Fletcher

• The Other Sense (1920)
• The Lighthouse on Shivering Sand (1920)
• The Ivory God (1920)
• The New Sun (1930)
• The Safety Pin (1924)
• The Paradise Mystery (1921)
• The Orange-Yellow Diamond (1903)
• Scarhaven Keep (1923)
• All works by J.S. Fletcher