
A weary novelist sits hunched over his desk in a richly appointed study, the ticking clock and the soft glow of a lamp marking the late‑hour hush of London. As he wrestles with his latest crime story, a persistent doorbell and a mysterious voice break his concentration, hinting at an unwelcome visitor lurking just beyond the threshold. The atmosphere is thick with the scent of old books and the faint echo of Big Ben, setting the stage for a tension that feels both intimate and ominous.
When the door finally opens, a pale, frightened woman steps into the dim hallway, her eyes wide with terror. She carries a secret that threatens to upend Leroux’s routine, pulling him from the world of fictional villains into a real one that bears a chilling resemblance to his own creations. As the night deepens, the novelist must decide whether to follow the intrigue or remain safely within the confines of his literary imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (519K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Lainson; Anonymous Volunteers; David Widger
Release date
2006-05-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1883–1959
Best known as the creator of Dr. Fu Manchu, this Birmingham-born writer turned pulp suspense, occult intrigue, and exotic adventure into hugely popular fiction. His stories travelled far beyond the page, helping shape crime and thriller entertainment across film, radio, and television.
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