When Rogues Fall Out

Name: When Rogues Fall Out
Author: R. Austin Freeman

When Rogues Fall Out follows Mr. Didbury Toke, a collector and fence, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation after he uncovers a hidden diamond necklace in an antique clock. As he grapples with moral dilemmas and the looming threat of exposure, Toke confronts a cunning criminal linked to his past, ultimately revealing the complexities of trust and betrayal in a world of deception.

By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1924 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller · 18 chapters · 107,658 words

First lines

THERE is nothing so deceptive as a half-truth. The half that is true has a certain suggestive power that lends to the other half a plausibility and a credibility that it does not possess in its own right. This interesting psychological fact was realized, at least subconsciously, by Mr. Didbury Toke. For Mr. Toke was a collector of antique and other works of art, a connoisseur and a dealer. He really was. It was not a pose or a pretence. He was a bona fide collector, and a connoisseur who had that genuine love of fine and beautiful works that is the indispensable condition of real connoisseurship. But Mr. Toke was also a fence. And that was where the illusory element came in. Any person who, not being a known collector and a recognized dealer, should have been seen, as he frequently was, in the company of definitely shady characters, would inevitably have attracted the attention of the guardians of the law. But everyone knows that the really enthusiastic collector must needs seek his quarry where it is most likely to be found; and there is no need to watch him, for no crook or fence would be so foolish as to sell doubtful merchandise to a collector who is going to expose it forthwith in his show-cases, or a dealer who is going to offer it in the open market. So Mr. Didbury Toke went about his lawful occasions unmolested and unsuspected, and, under the cover of them, did a little unlawful business if it happened to come his way.

What this Textopian page supports

When Rogues Fall Out is listed on Textopian as a novel by R. Austin Freeman, dated 1924 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: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction
Length: 107,658 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 1,679 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a crime or puzzle that needs to be solved, typical of the mystery genre.
Detective Fiction — The narrative features a detective or investigator who uncovers the truth behind the events.
Thriller — The story includes suspenseful elements that keep readers engaged and on edge.
Crime Fiction — The themes involve criminal activities and their consequences, central to crime fiction.