Number Seventeen

Number Seventeen
A Mystery of London

By

4.1666666666667
(6 Reviews)
Number Seventeen by Louis Tracy

Published:

1915

Pages:

433

Downloads:

5,166

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Number Seventeen
A Mystery of London

By

4.1666666666667
(6 Reviews)
Sparring police partners Winter and Furneaux are back at each others throats in this mystery-thriller, as they solve the murder of Edith Lester, occupant of room Number Seventeen.

Book Excerpt

visitor, Theydon added:

"I didn't actually see any one on the stairs, but I heard an arrival, and jumped to the same conclusion as you, Bates."

Tacitly, master and man shared the same opinion-- it was satisfactory to know that Mrs. Lester's male visitors who called at the unconventional hour of 11:30 p. m. were shown out so speedily. Innesmore Mansions were intensely respectable.

No lady could live there alone whose credentials had not satisfied a sharp-eyed secretary. Further, Theydon was aware of a momentary disloyalty of thought toward the distinguished-looking father of that remarkably handsome girl, and it pleased him to find that he had erred.

Bates went out, closing the door behind him: he donned an overcoat, secured an umbrella and presently descended to the street. Yielding again to impulse, Theydon reopened the window and peered down. The stranger was walking away rapidly. A policeman, glistening in cape and overalls, stood at the corner, near a pillar box.

The ta

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Average from 6 Reviews
4.1666666666667
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It's one of the earliest Tracy's books.
The writing isn't as nimble as in his later novels and the main character is a bit too much lovesick for my taste.
The worst of the book are the lengthy and reiterative explanations with which the personages fill the pages, in most cases, needlessly.
The plot isn't very solid, doesn't create many expectations finishes in somewhat hurried and unconvincing manner.
The strong points are: a pleasant narrative atmosphere, noble feelings, some good humouristic moments and at least two interesting personages.
Detectives Winter and Furneaux chase down a Chinese gang bent on murderous revenge over political reforms in their country. It's more thriller than mystery — the criminals become known fairly soon, but elude capture. There's a certain amount of racism, though it's not as bad as in other books of the period. I preferred the first book in the series, "The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley."
There must be two books by this name, since the one I read was quite a preposterous early example of the thriller—not detective mystery.

First we have a murder, after which the hero lies to the police in order to protect someone of very slight acquaintance (but with a charming daughter.) After that everyone with any knowledge lies to the women in the story because… well, you know how weak-minded and prone to panic women are. The least fright might have them fainting or succumbing to brain fever. Even with their lives in danger, better they not be shocked.

Not badly written but with a silly premise and sillier plot. Tracy has done far better than this.
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Gilmartin
5
Another brilliant mystery from Louis Tracy, featuring his Winter and Furneaux characters. As ever, Tracy's writing defines character precisely and builds a narrative full of energy and romance which keeps you guessing to the end.
I love Winter and Fourneaux, and I enjoyed every word of this book. One strange quirk--does this author always call the manservant "Bates" in every book? Actually, it doesn't matter, the book is so much fun. Enjoy.
4
A good read well told, but not a very interesting mystery, just an exciting murder hunt, not missing the love story, of course.
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