
audiobook
by Baron Godfrey Rathbone Benson Charnwood
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
A quiet countryside parish in 1896 becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery when the rector discovers his close friend, the enigmatic former consul Eustace Peters, dead in his own bed. The narrator, a young clergyman still adjusting to isolated rural life, finds his routine shattered and his solitude replaced by a desperate need for answers. As he recounts the weeks leading up to the tragedy, the ordinary rhythms of village life give way to uneasy whispers and lingering doubts.
Peters, a restless scholar with a restless past in the East and a penchant for philosophy and natural history, leaves behind a tangle of half‑finished projects and obscure acquaintances. The rector, thrust into the role of amateur sleuth, uncovers a solitary clue that hints at hidden rivalries and concealed passions. With the rural landscape frosted in winter, the investigation unfolds slowly, promising a careful unraveling of motives before the truth can finally emerge.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (312K characters)
Release date
May 27, 2024
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1864–1945
Best remembered for a graceful, widely admired life of Abraham Lincoln, this English writer brought together scholarship, public service, and a gift for clear storytelling. He moved easily between academia, politics, and philanthropy, giving his books a calm authority that still feels approachable.
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