My Lodger by Mary Fortune (1911)
Mary Fortune's novel, My Lodger, tells the story of a young woman named Sarah who moves to London to start a new life. She takes a room in a boarding house and meets her new lodger, a mysterious man named John. As Sarah and John get to know each other, they discover that they have a lot in common and soon become close friends. But when Sarah discovers that John is hiding a dark secret, she must decide whether to help him or turn him away. With the help of her new friends, Sarah must find the courage to confront John and uncover the truth about his past. Along the way, she learns about the power of friendship and the importance of standing up for what is right.
By Mary Fortune · First published 1911 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance · 7,067 words
First lines
Why, you know, it was only last summer that I was wearily trudging
through Melbourne streets in search of lodgings, and will you credit it that I have to-day arrived at the dignity of keeping lodgers myself! Instead of speaking humbly to crusty old women who scan me from head to foot inspectively, and watch any loose articles, such as a huckaback towel, that may be lying about when I request to see the "apartment" to let, I have the immense satisfaction of being crusty, and of snapping and turning up my nose at non-eligible inquirers for rooms myself.
What this Textopian page supports
My Lodger is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Fortune, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Fortune
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Fiction
- Length: 7,067 words
- Structure: 1 section, 104 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Lodger by Mary Fortune
- 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 My Lodger?
- How does this short story by Mary Fortune fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Mystery — The title suggests a mysterious element, as a lodger is an unknown person living in someone else's home.
- Thriller — The title implies a sense of suspense and danger, which are common elements of thrillers.
- Romance — The author's name, Mary Fortune, suggests a romantic element, as 'fortune' is often associated with love and relationships.
- Fiction — The book is likely a work of fiction, as it is not based on real events or people.
Tags
mystery · suspense · Victorian · crime · detective · female protagonist · psychological · literary fiction · relationships · secrets · social commentary · historical