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The Woman in White
by Wilkie CollinsThe Woman in White is Wilkie Collins' fifth published novel, written in 1859. It is considered to be among the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first (and finest) in the genre of "sensation novels". The story is sometimes considered an early example of detective fiction with protagonist Walter Hartright employing many of the sleuthing techniques of later private detectives. The use of multiple narrators (including nearly all the principal characters) draws on Collins's legal training, and as he points out in his Preamble: "the story here presented will be told by more than one pen, as the story of an offence against the laws is told in Court by more than one witness". When Walter Hartright comes to the aid of a mysterious woman in white, he finds himself unable to forget this chance encounter. And when he joins the Limmeridge household as a tutor to the Fairlie family, his curiosity about the woman is ever-heightened when he discovers the family's connection to her. But all is not what it seems to be at Limmeridge House, and Walter, now deeply in love with Mr. Fairlie's niece, the beautiful Laura, must unravel one of the greatest betrayals possible in order to save his beloved.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis StevensonRespected scientist Dr. Jekyll develops a potion that transforms him into his alter ego, the depraved Mr. Hyde, who indulges in acts of lust and brutality. Both a page-turner and an exploration of good and evil, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of the best-known stories in all of literature. This short novel, first published in 1886, is the definition of a classic.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis StevensonRespected scientist Dr. Jekyll develops a potion that transforms him into his alter ego, the depraved Mr. Hyde, who indulges in acts of lust and brutality. Both a page-turner and an exploration of good and evil, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of the best-known stories in all of literature. This short novel, first published in 1886, is the definition of a classic.
The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes Book #4)
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson must unravel a complicated case of murder and mistaken identity after Holmes receives a warning from an agent in Professor Moriarty's employ that John Douglas, a man unknown to Holmes, is in danger. But when they are called to assist with the murder investigation of Mr. Douglas, Holmes and Watson must decipher the significance of events from twenty years in the past before they can uncover Moriarty's link to Mr. Douglas and his death.
A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes Book #1)
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleUnlikely yet complementary flatmates, detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson collaborate to solve the murder of a young man whose corpse is found in an abandoned house. Through deductive reasoning and scientific inquiry, the pair reveal the roots of the man's murder extend to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah—thousands of miles away from the streets of London.The first of four novels and five short-story collections, Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet debuted one of the most famous detective pairings in literary history.
The Sign of the Four (Sherlock Holmes Book #2)
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleA new client, Mary Morstan, engages Sherlock Holmes' services to solve two mysteries: the disappearance of her father, Captain Arthur Morstan, and her receipt of one perfect pearl in the mail each year since answering a newspaper advertisement. But when Holmes' investigation reveals a priceless treasure, the stakes are raised and murder becomes the focus of his inquiry. The second novel to feature Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, The Sign of the Four introduces Mary Marston, Watson's future wife.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holme
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleDetective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson face some of their toughest cases in this collection of short stories. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes includes "The Final Problem," in which Holmes encounters for the first time the criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty, as well as "The Musgrave Ritual," and "The Reigate Puzzle," both of which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle considered to be among his best Holmes tales.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleDetective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson face some of their toughest cases in this collection of short stories. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes includes "The Final Problem," in which Holmes encounters for the first time the criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty, as well as "The Musgrave Ritual," and "The Reigate Puzzle," both of which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle considered to be among his best Holmes tales.
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Short Story Collection #2)
by Arthur Conan DoyleDetective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson face some of their toughest cases in this collection of short stories. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes includes "The Final Problem," in which Holmes encounters for the first time the criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty, as well as "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual," and "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire," both of which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle considered to be among his best Holmes tales.
The Hound of the Baskervilles: Another Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Hound of the Baskervilles is the third of the crime novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. It is set largely on Dartmoor in Devon in England's West Country and tells the story of an attempted murder inspired by the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound of supernatural origin. Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson investigate the case. This was the first appearance of Holmes since his apparent death in "The Final Problem", and the success of The Hound of the Baskervilles led to the character's eventual revival.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Arthur Conan DoyleWhen Sir Charles Baskerville is found suspiciously dead, his friend, Dr. James Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to look into the death. While the cause of death is determined to be a heart attack, Mortimer suspects foul play and fears that Sir Charles’s nephew and sole heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, may be in danger next. At the center of the investigation is the curse of the Baskervilles, which dates back to the time of the English Civil War. Supposedly the family’s ancestor, Hugo Baskerville, sold his soul to the devil, and the family has been haunted by a large spectral hound ever since. Because Sir Charles was found with a look of horror on his face when he died, appeared to be running away from something, and large paw prints had been found near his body, there is reason to believe that the “Hound” may have returned. The details of the case spark the interest of Sherlock and he agrees to take up the case. “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” is the third of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels and is widely regarded as one of his best.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Short Story Collection #3)
by Arthur Conan DoyleAfter a three-year absence, the presumed-dead Sherlock Holmes returns, incognito, to London. Now discovered in a local shop by his friend and former partner, Dr. John Watson, Holmes resumes his detective business just in time to avert an assassination attempt and secure his safe return to public life. Coming after what Holmes fans refer to as "The Great Hiatus," The Return of Sherlock Holmes contains thirteen short stories including "The Adventure of the Empty House," in which Holmes explains his return from the dead, as well as three of what Arthur Conan Doyle considered to be his best stories: "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," "The Adventure of the Priory School," and "The Adventure of the Second Stain."
His Last Bow (Sherlock Holmes Short Story Collection #4)
by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleWith deductive reasoning and scientific inquiry, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson continue to solve unsolvable crimes in this collection of short stories, which includes one of the author's favourite stories, "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot." Although the majority of the tales in His Last Bow were written and published prior to the First World War, Arthur Conan Doyle penned one final story prior to publication, "His Last Bow. The War Service of Sherlock Holmes," which is believed to be based on the author's experience during the war.
The Secret Agent
by Joseph ConradThe Secret Agent: A Simple Tale is a novel by Joseph Conrad, published in 1907. The story is set in London in 1886 and deals with Mr Adolf Verloc and his work as a spy for an unnamed country (presumably Russia). The Secret Agent is one of Conrad's later political novels in which he moved away from his former tales of seafaring. The novel deals broadly with anarchism, espionage and terrorism. It also deals with exploitation of the vulnerable in Verloc's relationship with his brother-in-law Stevie, who has a learning difficulty. Because of its terrorism theme, it was noted as "one of the three works of literature most cited in the American media" two weeks after the September 11 attacks.
Hamlet: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareHamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a "revenge tragedy," in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father's murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost--Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?
Clouds of Witness
by Dorothy L. SayersLord Peter Wimsey must untangle a web of clues, secrets, lies, and betrayals if he is to save his brother from the gallows. Lord Peter Wimsey returns from a relaxing trip to Corsica to discover that his sister's fiancé has been murdered, and their brother accused of the crime. Vacation is over, and it's time for Lord Peter to get to work. As his investigations uncover more and more secrets, affairs, and lies, Lord Peter knows that he needs to straighten out the events of that fateful night, or his brother will pay the ultimate price for a crime he didn't commit. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Busman's Honeymoon
by Dorothy L. SayersAmateur detective Lord Peter Wimsey and mystery novelist Harriet Vane are finally wed, but their honeymoon is interrupted by – what else? – a murder that they must solve. Adapted from the play of the same name. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Basil
by Wilkie CollinsWhen Basil enters into a secret marriage with a young woman with whom he has fallen in love at first sight, he agrees to live apart for one year, seeing his young wife only in the company of a chaperone, and pining for the day when they may be together. But when Basil discovers his spouse in the arms of another, his reaction has tragic and lasting consequences.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Arthur Conan DoyleVenture back in time to Victorian London to join literature's greatest detective team — the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and his devoted assistant, Dr. Watson — as they investigate a dozen of their best-known cases. Contents: A Scandal in Bohemia -- The Red-Headed League -- A Case of Identity -- The Boscombe Valley Mystery -- The Five Orange Pips -- The Man With the Twisted Lip -- The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle -- The Adventure of the Speckled Band -- The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb -- The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor -- The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet -- The Adventure of the Copper Beeches.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Arthur Conan DoyleVenture back in time to Victorian London to join literature's greatest detective team — the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and his devoted assistant, Dr. Watson — as they investigate a dozen of their best-known cases. Contents: A Scandal in Bohemia -- The Red-Headed League -- A Case of Identity -- The Boscombe Valley Mystery -- The Five Orange Pips -- The Man With the Twisted Lip -- The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle -- The Adventure of the Speckled Band -- The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb -- The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor -- The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet -- The Adventure of the Copper Beeches.
An Antarctic Mystery
by Jules VerneAn Antarctic Mystery; or, The Sphinx of the Ice Fields, was published first in 1897 as a response to Edgar Allan Poe's 1838 novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. It is an adventure story following the journey of of an unnamed narrator through the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean aboard the ship, the Halbrane.
The Perfect Enemy (PDF)
by F. E. HigginsWhen Ralph Bennett's life seems it can get no worse, in walks a man with a box that clearly is worth its weigh in gold. Ralph can't help but steal it, desperate for money and any way out of his life as a servant. He ignores the box's warning and opens it, unwittingly releasing his Doppelganger - his perfect double. Evil double, that is. The Doppelganger unleashes havoc throughout the city, and soon Ralph finds himself accused of murder. With the Doppelganger and the police always close behind, Ralph and his friend Myrtle desperately try to find a way to defeat the supernatural embodiment of evil and while staying out of the gallows. When they finally confront the Doppelganger in the ultimate showdown, only one can emerge victorious. But which Ralph will survive? The Perfect Enemy is part of the HEROES series - created with series editor Frank Cottrell Boyce and specifically written to engage and captivate less confident readers. An epic adventure packed full of action and cliff-hangers that boys and girls will not be able to put down. A great solution for reluctant readers and encouraging reading for pleasure. This is the definition of a page turner, a relentlessly paced story with no pauses to take in the scenery, that manages to keep an element of suspense all the way through. It is very exciting. Caroline Fielding, Blackheath Bluecoat School, Blackheath
The Mirror Thief
by Martin SeayOne of the most audacious and confident debuts in years, The Mirror Thief is a masterful puzzle: a genre-hopping novel that combines a layered, rewarding mystery with serious literary ambition. Set in three cities in three eras, The Mirror Thief calls to mind David Mitchell and Umberto Eco in its serendipitous mix of entertainment and literary merit.
Rollercoasters: The Sign of Four (PDF)
by Arthur Conan DoyleThe year is 1888, and Miss Mary Morstan finds herself at the centre of a mystery seemingly too complicated to unravel. Following the disappearance of her father, she is sent each year an anonymous gift of a beautiful pearl. When she receives a mysterious message to meet her unknown benefactor, she seeks out the help of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, and there follows an exotic tale of treasure, intrigue, betrayal and murder. The great detective leads his companionson a wild chase for answers as they hunt down a killer and try to unravel the truth behind the Sign of Four.
Another Me: Newly Rejacketed (PDF)
by Cathy Macphail"Young adult fiction is going from strength to strength, led by authors like Catherine MacPhail" --Bookseller It was as I was walking into the drama class that I remembered the girl I had bumped into and the green sweater just like mine. That was what had got Mrs Watt mixed up. She had seen the girl in the green sweater and thought it was me. That was the simple explanation. Wasn't it? Fay can't help thinking it odd that people start remarking on conversations she knows she hasn't had, or saying they have seen her when she knows she was somewhere else. But then she starts hearing muffled footsteps behind her, the flash of fair hair just like hers around the corner. Is she imagining things? A gripping, spooky thriller from the acclaimed story-teller Catherine MacPhail.