Commonplace, and other short stories

Description

"Lord Lister No. 0037: De Diamantenkoningin" by Kurt Matull and Theo von Blankensee is a serialized detective-adventure novella written in the early 20th century. It likely features the gentleman-thief Lord Lister orchestrating a clever jewel heist around the fabled “Diamond Queen,” matching wits with foes through disguise, nerve, and ingenious plotting. The opening of the story instead presents a Victorian domestic drama set in Brompton-on-Sea, introducing three Charlmont sisters: Catherine (dutiful and reserved), Lucy (tender-hearted), and Jane (striking and pleasure-loving). A brief family history shows their father lost at sea, their mother dying soon after, and Catherine’s lifelong promise to hold the home together under the watch of the trustworthy Mr. Drum. As the sisters come of age, Lucy quietly misreads the attentions of Alan Hartley, only to see him marry lively Everilda, and she retreats into grief that she slowly mends with long country walks and the gentle company of Miss Drum. Meanwhile, in London with kindly cousins, Jane dazzles society, steals the show at a tableaux-and-charades evening, and accepts the pompous but wealthy widower Mr. Durham, setting the household on a course toward wedding plans and a return home—where preparations and a local picnic gather pace. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• English fiction -- 19th century
• Short stories, English
• PR