
Dora Bell, a sharp‑witted detective with a reputation for discretion, is summoned by a desperate client whose valuable property has vanished. The client fears a scandal that could ruin reputations, so the case must be solved quietly, without the press ever learning the truth. Dora’s keen eye and network of contacts promise a swift recovery, yet the stakes are high in the glittering world of London’s elite.
The mystery leads her to Mr. Davison, a charismatic host of lavish gatherings whose charm masks a sprawling empire of hidden money‑lending and jewellery trades. Behind a locked study in his opulent flat, he orchestrates a complex web of shops, each under a different alias, funneling wealth from the very guests who admire his generosity. As Dora untangles his double life, she must navigate the delicate balance between society’s glitter and its darker undercurrents.
Set against the bustling backdrop of late‑Victorian London, the story blends witty dialogue with a keen observation of social maneuvering. Listeners will be drawn into a world where appearances deceive and every clue uncovers another layer of intrigue, all while Dora’s resourceful mind works to outwit a master of deception.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (133K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United Kingdom: South Wales Echo, 1894.
Credits
Payton D. Cooke using digitized scans generously made available online by the National Library of Wales.
Release date
2023-06-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1846–1930
Best known for the bold feminist utopian novel New Amazonia (1889), this English writer also worked as a journalist and wrote popular adventure, society, and detective fiction. Her work pushed at the limits of Victorian expectations while staying lively and readable.
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