Rex V. Burnaby by R. Austin Freeman
The narrative revolves around the Burnaby family, particularly Frank Burnaby, a gentle and delicate man, and his young, beautiful wife, Margaret. The family doctor, who has developed a close relationship with them, becomes concerned when Frank suffers from mysterious symptoms resembling atropine poisoning after using prescribed eye drops. Despite the small dosage, Frank experiences severe reactions, leading to a series of alarming health crises. As the doctor investigates, he discovers that the symptoms recur after Frank consumes food prepared by Margaret, which raises suspicions about the source of the atropine. The couple's family friend, Cyril Parker, who provides them with food from his small farm, becomes a point of concern. The doctor suspects that the food, particularly the rabbits and pigeons, may be contaminated with atropine due to their potential exposure to belladonna plants. The situation escalates when Frank suffers a near-fatal attack, prompting the doctor to seek help from a renowned toxicologist, Dr. Thorndyke. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the poisoning is not merely accidental. The police arrest Margaret on charges of attempted murder, leading to a tense court case where the evidence appears damning against her. However, Dr. Thorndyke's investigation reveals that the source of the poison is likely the animals provided by Parker, who has a motive tied to his affection for Margaret. The court ultimately dismisses the charges against her, recognizing that the poison was present in the food before it reached her. The narrative concludes with the implication that Parker's actions were premeditated, intending to harm Frank while framing Margaret, showcasing themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1912 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime · 10,749 words
First lines
IT is a normal incident in general medical practice that the family doctor soon drifts into the position of a family friend. The Burnabys had been among my earliest patients, and mutual sympathies had quickly brought about the more intimate relationship. It was a pleasant household, pervaded by a quiet geniality and a particularly attractive homely, unaffected culture. It was an interesting household, too, for the disparity in age between the husband and wife made the domestic conditions a little unusual and invited speculative observation. And there were other matters, to be referred to presently.
What this Textopian page supports
Rex V. Burnaby is listed on Textopian as a novel by R. Austin Freeman, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: R. Austin Freeman
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Medical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 10,749 words
- Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rex V. Burnaby by R. Austin Freeman
- 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 Rex V. Burnaby?
- 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
- Mr Justice Maxell by Edgar Wallace
- Jack O Judgment by Edgar Wallace
- Hard Pressed by Fred M. White
- The Luminous Face by Carolyn Wells
- Targets by Gouverneur Morris
- Pandoras Box by R. Austin Freeman
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a series of mysterious poisoning incidents, creating suspense and intrigue.
- Thriller — The narrative includes elements of danger and urgency as the protagonist seeks to uncover the truth behind the poisonings.
- Crime — The story involves criminal implications, including the arrest of a character for attempted murder.
- Medical Fiction — The plot heavily features medical themes, particularly the effects of atropine poisoning and the medical profession.
Tags
mystery · legal drama · courtroom · detective · crime · investigation · suspense · thriller · justice · evidence · plot twist · character development