The Mikado Jewel (ePub)

Fergus Hume (1859-1932) was an English novelist renowned primarily for his contributions to the mystery and detective fiction genres, with his work emblematic of Victorian-era literary accomplishments. Born in England but raised in New Zealand from a young age, Hume eventually settled in Melbourne, Australia. His initial foray into the realm of detective fiction was catalyzed by his fascination with the works of Émile Gaboriau and the desire to pen a best-selling novel that transcended the legal training he received in New Zealand. His first novel, 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' (1886), emerged as an unexpected sensation in Australia before achieving further acclaim in Britain, effectively launching his literary career. Although never quite replicating the soaring success of his debut, Hume authored over 130 novels, including 'The Mikado Jewel' (1903), which features a distinctive blend of intrigue and far-flung adventure that fragments into a series of cryptic events revolving around a coveted gem with a fabled history. Hume's work is distinguished by meticulous plotting, and his narratives often unravel within high society settings, bespeaking both the allure and the perils of wealth and status. While not perpetually at the forefront of critical examination, Hume's contributions to the crime fiction genre are long-standing, and his narrative strategies have informed the structures of mystery writing in the generations succeeding him.