The Notting Hill Mystery

Widely acknowledged as the first detective novel, this story is narrated by insurance investigator Ralph Henderson, who is building a case against the sinister Baron "R**", suspected of murdering his wife in order to obtain significant life insurance payments. Henderson descends into a maze of intrigue including a diabolical mesmerist, kidnapping by gypsies, slow—poisoners, a rich uncle's will and three murders. Presented in the form of diary entries, family letters, chemical analysis repor...