Thurnley Abbey by Perceval Landon
The novel follows the story of John Harrington, a young man who is sent to stay at Thurnley Abbey, a mysterious and isolated estate in the English countryside. Harrington soon discovers that the Abbey is haunted by a sinister presence, and that the family who owns the estate is hiding a dark secret. As Harrington investigates further, he finds himself in a terrifying situation, as he is stalked by a mysterious figure and haunted by strange visions. The novel is a classic example of the gothic horror genre, and is full of suspense and terror. It is a gripping and atmospheric story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
By Perceval Landon · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Horror, Gothic Fiction · 6,558 words
First lines
Three years ago I was on my way out to the East, and as an extra day in London was of some importance, I took the Friday evening mail-train to Brindisi instead of the usual Thursday morning Marseilles express. Many people shrink from the long forty-eight-hour train journey through Europe, and the subsequent rush across the Mediterranean on the nineteen-knot _Isis_ or _Osiris_; but there is really very little discomfort on either the train or the mail-boat, and unless there is actually nothing for me to do, I always like to save the extra day and a half in London before I say goodbye to her for one of my longer tramps. This time--it was early, I remember, in the shipping season, probably about the beginning of September--there were few passengers, and I had a compartment in the P. & 0. Indian express to myself all the way from Calais. All Sunday I watched the blue waves dimpling the Adriatic, and the pale rosemary along the cuttings; the plain white towns, with their flat roofs and their bold 'duomos', and the grey-green gnarled olive orchards of Apulia. The journey was just like any other. We ate in the dining-car as often and as long as we decently could. We slept after luncheon; we dawdled the afternoon away with yellow-backed novels; sometimes we exchanged platitudes in the smoking-room, and it was there that I met Alastair Colvin.
What this Textopian page supports
Thurnley Abbey is listed on Textopian as a novel by Perceval Landon, 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: Perceval Landon
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Horror, Gothic Fiction, Detective Fiction
- Length: 6,558 words
- Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Thurnley Abbey by Perceval Landon
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Thurnley Abbey?
- How does this novel by Perceval Landon fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- The Botathen Ghost by R. S. Hawker
- The Spectre Hand by Anonymous
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- Ghosts by Arthur Gask
- The Ghost Whistle by Eugene K. Jones
Genres
- Mystery — The book follows the investigation of a mysterious death at Thurnley Abbey, and the protagonist's attempts to uncover the truth.
- Horror — The book contains elements of horror, such as the supernatural occurrences at Thurnley Abbey and the protagonist's fear of the unknown.
- Gothic Fiction — The book is set in a mysterious and isolated location, and contains elements of the supernatural, making it a classic example of Gothic fiction.
- Detective Fiction — The protagonist is tasked with solving a mysterious death, making the book a classic example of detective fiction.
Tags
gothic · mystery · supernatural · haunting · suspense · historical · thriller · adventure · paranormal · English literature · short story · 19th century