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The Trail of the Serpent

by Mary Elizabeth Braddon · 1860

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Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837-1915), Victorian England's bestselling woman writer, blends Dickensian humor with chilling suspense in this "exuberantly campy" (Kirkus Reviews) mystery. The novel features Jabez North, a manipulative orphan who becomes a ruthless killer; Valerie de Cevennes, a stunning heiress who falls into North's diabolical trap; and Mr. Peters, a mute detective who communicates his brilliant reasoning through sign language.

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This edition includes a critical Afterword and endnotes by Victorian scholar Dr. Chris Willis.

Genre
British mysterymysteryhistorical fictionVictorianthriller
Setting
VictorianParisYorkshireEngland
Audience
adult
Length
long · 496 pages

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