Powder Blue and Hawthorn

Name: Powder Blue and Hawthorn
Author: R. Austin Freeman

A man named Henry Palmer seeks the assistance of Dr. Macmulligan, a doctor known for his drunkenness, to attend to a critically ill patient. Despite the doctor's inebriation, they embark on a treacherous journey across Sheerness Harbour to a remote house. Upon arrival, they discover the patient has already died. The doctor, unimpressed, suggests they need a death certificate, which requires a trip back to his surgery. Meanwhile, a conspiratorial plot unfolds involving Palmer and his associates, who are planning a heist to steal valuable Chinese porcelain from a collection owned by Mr. Harland. They devise a scheme to use a coffin as a means to transport the stolen goods, believing it to be a clever disguise. The plan involves faking a funeral for a deceased man, William Brunton, to cover their tracks. As the heist progresses, the conspirators face unexpected complications, including the coffin being lost at sea during a storm. Eventually, they manage to retrieve it, but their plans are thwarted when they discover that the coffin contains the body of an old woman instead of the expected porcelain. This shocking revelation leads to a frantic attempt to cover their tracks and escape the consequences of their failed scheme. The story culminates in a twist of fate when the stolen porcelain is inadvertently discovered by a local rector, leading to the resolution of the robbery mystery. The four conspirators are left to grapple with their misadventures, while the true nature of their crime remains shrouded in secrecy. The narrative explores themes of deception, greed, and the unforeseen consequences of one's actions, ultimately revealing the fragility of their carefully laid plans.

By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1910 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller · 4 chapters · 6,261 words

First lines

MR. HENRY PALMER looked furtively, but critically, at Dr. Macmuffigan. He had been told that on Friday night he would most probably find the doctor drunk. And so it had turned out. But the question that agitated Mr. Primer was: how drunk was he, and, above all, was he drunk enough?

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Powder Blue and Hawthorn is listed on Textopian as a novel by R. Austin Freeman, dated 1910 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: R. Austin Freeman
Date: 1910 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 6,261 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 106 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for Powder Blue and Hawthorn by R. Austin Freeman
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Powder Blue and Hawthorn?
How does this novel by R. Austin Freeman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a robbery and the subsequent events that unfold, creating a central mystery that drives the narrative.
Crime — The story involves criminal activities, including theft and deception, as the characters engage in a heist.
Thriller — The tension and suspense throughout the narrative, particularly during the heist and its aftermath, align with thriller elements.
Drama — The emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly regarding their actions and consequences, contribute to the dramatic aspects of the story.