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L'enigma della chiave d'argento
Quando viene assassinato l'usuraio Hervey Lyne, una ridda di ipotesi si affacciano alla mente degli investigatori. Tra le tante piste, la principale è quella che fa capo a una misteriosa chiave coperta di vernice fosforescente... Quale porta è destinata ad aprire? Mentre altri delitti seguono il primo, gli investigatori puntano tutto sul tentativo di risolvere l'enigma della chiave. E proprio quando tutto sembra perduto, ecco emergere la possibilità di far luce sulla vicenda...
130 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Wallace
2,137 books262 followersRichard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 22, 2020
This is a classic Edgar Wallace plot with a master criminal no one can identify, a plucky girl working to solve the case, her inventor boyfriend who helps both her and the police on the case, and a lot of identity changing. What makes this one a little different is Surefoot Smith, CID. He is unlike a lot of the previous detectives I've encountered in Edgar Wallace mysteries and I really loved his no-nonsense style. When he himself is placed in danger toward the end, I figured the jig was up. No one could escape from the nefarious master mind's plan. Or can they?
September 3, 2021
ENGLISH: An low-flying actress; her boyfriend, the nephew of a wealthy, almost blind moneylender, who is also the tutor of the actress; Surefoot Smith, Scotland Yard inspector, who succeeds in solving the case; and a handful of suspects in three (or more) murders. These are the characters in this novel.
A curious detail is that Surefoot Smith discovers the murderer, and explains how he came to that conclusion, seven chapters before the end of the novel. The rest of the book tells us about the capture of the murderer, who has disappeared, and how the latter, before falling, tried to revenge himself on the sleuth, by adding a few extra murders to his list.
ESPAÑOL: Una actriz de cortos vuelos; su novio, sobrino de un rico prestamista casi ciego, que también es el tutor de la actriz; Surefoot Smith, inspector de Scotland Yard, que consigue resolver el caso; y un puñado de sospechosos de tres asesinatos (o más). Estos son los personajes de esta novela.
Un detalle curioso es que Surefoot Smith descubre al asesino, y nos explica cómo llegó a esa conclusión, siete capítulos antes de que acabe la novela. El resto del libro tiene por objeto contarnos cómo fue capturado el asesino, que ha desaparecido, y cómo este, antes de caer, intentó vengarse del policía, añadiendo unos cuantos asesinatos más a su lista.
A curious detail is that Surefoot Smith discovers the murderer, and explains how he came to that conclusion, seven chapters before the end of the novel. The rest of the book tells us about the capture of the murderer, who has disappeared, and how the latter, before falling, tried to revenge himself on the sleuth, by adding a few extra murders to his list.
ESPAÑOL: Una actriz de cortos vuelos; su novio, sobrino de un rico prestamista casi ciego, que también es el tutor de la actriz; Surefoot Smith, inspector de Scotland Yard, que consigue resolver el caso; y un puñado de sospechosos de tres asesinatos (o más). Estos son los personajes de esta novela.
Un detalle curioso es que Surefoot Smith descubre al asesino, y nos explica cómo llegó a esa conclusión, siete capítulos antes de que acabe la novela. El resto del libro tiene por objeto contarnos cómo fue capturado el asesino, que ha desaparecido, y cómo este, antes de caer, intentó vengarse del policía, añadiendo unos cuantos asesinatos más a su lista.
August 10, 2023
This book introduces Surefoot Smith, a Scotland Yard man who is unconventional and somewhat eccentric. He has an odd distrust of scientific methods and an easy habit of breaking rules (and the law if it suits him). In this case, Smith is confronted with a murder on an English lane done "Chicago style"; the victim is taken for a cab ride that turned out to be his last. And the killer isn't done yet.
As with most Edgar Wallace tales, there is plenty of action, interesting characters, misdirection, twists in the plot and a few very convenient coincidences. The pieces of the somewhat convoluted mystery mostly come together at the end, although there is in my opinion one incidence of "unfair play" where certain information - a location of a dramatic scene - is withheld from the reader until later.
This is one of those mysteries where the reader doesn't put a lot of effort into figuring things out; it is instead a bit of a carnival ride where the reader goes along with the twists and turns. Wallace's stories may be many things, but boring isn't one of them! I'll be back for more one day.
As with most Edgar Wallace tales, there is plenty of action, interesting characters, misdirection, twists in the plot and a few very convenient coincidences. The pieces of the somewhat convoluted mystery mostly come together at the end, although there is in my opinion one incidence of "unfair play" where certain information - a location of a dramatic scene - is withheld from the reader until later.
This is one of those mysteries where the reader doesn't put a lot of effort into figuring things out; it is instead a bit of a carnival ride where the reader goes along with the twists and turns. Wallace's stories may be many things, but boring isn't one of them! I'll be back for more one day.
May 3, 2021
During his 57 years, Edgar Wallace wrote 157 novels, 24 plays and numerous articles in newspapers and journals. He was also the co-creator of King Kong. Sales of his books surpassed 50 million.
From Wikipedia Wallace narrated his words onto wax cylinders (the dictaphones of the day) and his secretaries typed up the text. This may be why he was able to work at such high speed and why his stories have narrative drive. Many of Wallace's successful books were dictated like this over two or three days.
The Clue of the Silver Key is a murder mystery written in the Golden Age mold and certainly doesn't lack for action and suspects. However, the suspension of disbelief is required through the novel and the ending goes far beyond the boundaries of disbelief.
From Wikipedia Wallace narrated his words onto wax cylinders (the dictaphones of the day) and his secretaries typed up the text. This may be why he was able to work at such high speed and why his stories have narrative drive. Many of Wallace's successful books were dictated like this over two or three days.
The Clue of the Silver Key is a murder mystery written in the Golden Age mold and certainly doesn't lack for action and suspects. However, the suspension of disbelief is required through the novel and the ending goes far beyond the boundaries of disbelief.
November 21, 2020
An excellent old-school police procedural. The murder mystery plot keeps the reader guessing, and when the identity of the villain is finally revealed there's an exciting chase through the English countryside. True, there is an implausible coincidence near the book's end but it doesn't really ruin the fun as Scotland Yard once again gets its man. This is the first book I've read by Edgar Wallace and I'm looking forward to reading more.
November 30, 2021
Toţi erau implicaţi în această afacere:
Dick Allenby, inventator şi moştenitor de drept, Jerry Dornford, filfizon şi mână spartă, Mike Hennessey, aventurier din lumea teatrului, Mary Lane, actriţă de mâna a doua; Leo Moran, bancher şi jucător la bursă; Horace Tom Tickler (care vai de el), era vârât până-n gât deşi habar n-avea.
Domnul Washington Wirth, care dădea petreceri şi îi plăcea să fie linguşit; bătrânul Hervey Lyne şi răbdătorul Binny, care îi împingea scaunul pe rotile, îi pregătea micul dejun, îi ţinea corespondenţa, şi… Surefoot Smith.
Iată însă că într-o zi, Binny, pasionat cititor al ziarelor care dezvăluiau cele mai odioase crime, se trezi în centrul atenţiei a milioane de cititori ― frumoasă experienţă, n-am ce zice.
Petrecerile domnului Washington Wirth erau cât se poate de exclusiviste. Invitaţii erau aleşi cu grijă şi nu ar fi îndrăznit în niciun caz să strecoare vreun intrus, ei erau, după cum îi numise Mary Lane „o ciudată aventură”.
În ceea ce-o priveşte, reuşise să se infiltreze datorită robustului şi melancolicului Mike, pe care, de ce să n-o recunoaştem, îl cam plăcea. Oamenii îi ziceau „bietul Mike”, din cauza repetatelor sale falimente, dar această poreclă nu i se potrivea. Îl găsise între timp pe bogatul domn Washington Wirth, iubitor de teatru şi mână de aur pentru artişti.
Acesta era însă şi un om foarte misterios. Despre el se ştia că locuieşte în Midlands şi învârte afaceri în industrie. La Londra, adresa lui oficială era hotelul Kellner, dar nu dormise niciodată acolo. Secretara lui era permanent în legătură cu acest hotel şi-i rezerva telefonic apartamentul regal pentru o anumită zi, dar în seara acelei zile, când masa era pusă pentru douăzeci-treizeci de persoane, iar orchestra închiriată îşi acorda instrumentele, îşi făcu apariţia însuşi Washington Wirth, om îndesat, cu păr ca de cânepă şi ochelari cu rame groase. Răutăcioşii spuneau că poartă perucă, dar nimeni nu ştia care este adevărul.
Costumele îi veneau ca turnate şi nu se despărţea niciodată de mănuşile sale albe, din piele de viţel. Avea o voce de tenor, obişnuia să bată milităreşte din călcâie şi săruta mâinile doamnelor, obicei pe de-a-ntregul european.
Oaspeţii săi erau aleşi pe sprânceană. Selecţiona ― sau, mai bine zis, Mike o făcea pentru el ― doar trepăduşii universului teatral: coriste, actriţe din roluri secundare, una sau două cântăreţe obscure.
Odată, Mike îi sugerase o petrecere mai deosebită, dar domnul Wirth nici nu voise să audă:
― N-am nevoie de complicaţii! ― a spus el.
Îi plăcea să fie adulat şi nu ducea niciodată lipsă de asta. Cheltuia cu dezinvoltură şi făcea cadouri foarte costisitoare. În schimb, sărăntocii luaţi sub aripa lui ocrotitoare îl copleşeau cu complimente.
Nu puteai da buzna la petrecerile domnului Washington Wirth; invitaţiile erau distribuite sub forma unei mici cocarde, de genul celei purtate de doamnele din loja regală, la Ascot, pe care era înscris numele persoanei invitate. În acest fel, domnul Washington Wirth împuşca doi iepuri dintr-un foc: pe de-o parte evita prezenţa unor oaspeţi nepoftiţi, iar, pe de altă parte, citind numele de pe cocarde, se putea adresa fiecărui invitat.
Mary Lane era perfect conştientă că nu fusese invitată pentru că ar fi avut nişte calităţi deosebite, ci dimpotrivă.
Dick Allenby, inventator şi moştenitor de drept, Jerry Dornford, filfizon şi mână spartă, Mike Hennessey, aventurier din lumea teatrului, Mary Lane, actriţă de mâna a doua; Leo Moran, bancher şi jucător la bursă; Horace Tom Tickler (care vai de el), era vârât până-n gât deşi habar n-avea.
Domnul Washington Wirth, care dădea petreceri şi îi plăcea să fie linguşit; bătrânul Hervey Lyne şi răbdătorul Binny, care îi împingea scaunul pe rotile, îi pregătea micul dejun, îi ţinea corespondenţa, şi… Surefoot Smith.
Iată însă că într-o zi, Binny, pasionat cititor al ziarelor care dezvăluiau cele mai odioase crime, se trezi în centrul atenţiei a milioane de cititori ― frumoasă experienţă, n-am ce zice.
Petrecerile domnului Washington Wirth erau cât se poate de exclusiviste. Invitaţii erau aleşi cu grijă şi nu ar fi îndrăznit în niciun caz să strecoare vreun intrus, ei erau, după cum îi numise Mary Lane „o ciudată aventură”.
În ceea ce-o priveşte, reuşise să se infiltreze datorită robustului şi melancolicului Mike, pe care, de ce să n-o recunoaştem, îl cam plăcea. Oamenii îi ziceau „bietul Mike”, din cauza repetatelor sale falimente, dar această poreclă nu i se potrivea. Îl găsise între timp pe bogatul domn Washington Wirth, iubitor de teatru şi mână de aur pentru artişti.
Acesta era însă şi un om foarte misterios. Despre el se ştia că locuieşte în Midlands şi învârte afaceri în industrie. La Londra, adresa lui oficială era hotelul Kellner, dar nu dormise niciodată acolo. Secretara lui era permanent în legătură cu acest hotel şi-i rezerva telefonic apartamentul regal pentru o anumită zi, dar în seara acelei zile, când masa era pusă pentru douăzeci-treizeci de persoane, iar orchestra închiriată îşi acorda instrumentele, îşi făcu apariţia însuşi Washington Wirth, om îndesat, cu păr ca de cânepă şi ochelari cu rame groase. Răutăcioşii spuneau că poartă perucă, dar nimeni nu ştia care este adevărul.
Costumele îi veneau ca turnate şi nu se despărţea niciodată de mănuşile sale albe, din piele de viţel. Avea o voce de tenor, obişnuia să bată milităreşte din călcâie şi săruta mâinile doamnelor, obicei pe de-a-ntregul european.
Oaspeţii săi erau aleşi pe sprânceană. Selecţiona ― sau, mai bine zis, Mike o făcea pentru el ― doar trepăduşii universului teatral: coriste, actriţe din roluri secundare, una sau două cântăreţe obscure.
Odată, Mike îi sugerase o petrecere mai deosebită, dar domnul Wirth nici nu voise să audă:
― N-am nevoie de complicaţii! ― a spus el.
Îi plăcea să fie adulat şi nu ducea niciodată lipsă de asta. Cheltuia cu dezinvoltură şi făcea cadouri foarte costisitoare. În schimb, sărăntocii luaţi sub aripa lui ocrotitoare îl copleşeau cu complimente.
Nu puteai da buzna la petrecerile domnului Washington Wirth; invitaţiile erau distribuite sub forma unei mici cocarde, de genul celei purtate de doamnele din loja regală, la Ascot, pe care era înscris numele persoanei invitate. În acest fel, domnul Washington Wirth împuşca doi iepuri dintr-un foc: pe de-o parte evita prezenţa unor oaspeţi nepoftiţi, iar, pe de altă parte, citind numele de pe cocarde, se putea adresa fiecărui invitat.
Mary Lane era perfect conştientă că nu fusese invitată pentru că ar fi avut nişte calităţi deosebite, ci dimpotrivă.
December 1, 2018
Major characters:
Dick Allenby, inventor of a silent air-powered gun
Gerald "Jerry" Dornford, of Half Moon Street, man about town, gambler
Mike Hennessey, theatre manager
Mary Lane, actress, fiancee of Dick Allenby
Leo Moran, of 17 Naylor Terrace, banker and speculator
Horace Tom Tickler, burglar
Washington Wirth, a party-giver with an eye for the young ladies
Hervey Lyne, rich, moneylender, disabled, guardian of Mary Lane, uncle of Dick Allenby
Binny, Hervey's assistant
Chief Inspector Surefoot Smith, C.I.D.
Locale: London
Synopsis: Horace Tom Tickler, a small time burglar, is hanging around rich Hervey Lyne's place, plotting to get in. Chief Inspector Surefoot Smith encounters him and moves him along. Later that night, Smith is looking for a cab for put actress Mary Lane, in - and the cab he chooses has Ticker dead inside; and the cab is found to have been stolen. An anonymous note suggests he go talk to banker Leo Moran to find out about the killer.
Moran has been dealing in some shady financial transactions, and flees to parts unknown. While Surefoot investigates, he comes across a curious large silver key. Hervey Lyne, while in the park in his Bath Chair (type of wheelchair), is shot.
Mary Lane takes on the role of a private investigator and sets out to find where the silver key fits, and runs into danger.
Review:
Edgar Wallace has thrown in plenty of traditional mystery plot elements: secret rooms, secret identities, secret keys, disguises, stolen cars, and secret hideaways. Surefoot plods along, making progress; but little happens until Mary Lane takes the initiative to go find the lock to which the silver key fits. An enjoyable Wallace, with the culprit being revealed well before the end; then the task is finding him!
The vacant room which Surefoot locates - having just the silver key and a wardrobe of clothes - is a similar plot element to Ellery Queen's Halfway House. which would follow in 1940.
October 28, 2025
The Silver Key is a classic detective novel by Edgar Wallace, known for his prolific contributions to early 20th-century crime fiction. With its mysterious title and promise of hidden secrets, the book invites readers into a world of intrigue, deception, and fast-paced investigation. Though written in a different era, it still holds appeal for fans of traditional whodunits and atmospheric suspense.
🔍 What I liked
• Fast-paced mystery: The plot moves quickly, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. Wallace’s storytelling is direct and energetic, ideal for those who enjoy action-driven narratives.
• Atmospheric setting: The story captures the mood of early 20th-century London, with shadowy streets, secretive characters, and a sense of lurking danger that adds to the suspense.
• Clear character roles: The detective, suspects, and side characters are all sharply defined. Wallace uses familiar archetypes effectively, giving the story a timeless, almost theatrical feel.
🛠️ What could be improved
• Limited psychological depth: While the plot is engaging, the characters’ inner lives are not deeply explored. Their actions often serve the mystery rather than revealing emotional complexity.
• Outdated dialogue: Some expressions and interactions feel stiff or overly formal by today’s standards, which might distance modern readers.
• Abrupt resolution: The mystery is solved rather quickly, with little buildup to the final reveal. A more gradual climax could have made the ending more satisfying and memorable.
🧩 Conclusion
The Silver Key is a brisk, entertaining read that delivers
🔍 What I liked
• Fast-paced mystery: The plot moves quickly, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. Wallace’s storytelling is direct and energetic, ideal for those who enjoy action-driven narratives.
• Atmospheric setting: The story captures the mood of early 20th-century London, with shadowy streets, secretive characters, and a sense of lurking danger that adds to the suspense.
• Clear character roles: The detective, suspects, and side characters are all sharply defined. Wallace uses familiar archetypes effectively, giving the story a timeless, almost theatrical feel.
🛠️ What could be improved
• Limited psychological depth: While the plot is engaging, the characters’ inner lives are not deeply explored. Their actions often serve the mystery rather than revealing emotional complexity.
• Outdated dialogue: Some expressions and interactions feel stiff or overly formal by today’s standards, which might distance modern readers.
• Abrupt resolution: The mystery is solved rather quickly, with little buildup to the final reveal. A more gradual climax could have made the ending more satisfying and memorable.
🧩 Conclusion
The Silver Key is a brisk, entertaining read that delivers
January 10, 2026
A thrilling piece of pulp writing, with plenty of mystery, reversals, barely-averted disasters and multiple crimes (several murders, blackmail, forgery and embezzlement). It has one of Wallace's characteristic capable and independent women as a secondary detective, and she (eventually, after a lot of mysterious concealment of what she's even thinking) reveals several important clues that allow the official detective, Surefoot Smith of Scotland Yard, to break the case. Even after he knows whodunnit, though, he still has to catch the criminal, and there are some tense moments as he strives to do so and falls into danger himself.
Unfortunately, this whole section is rife with coincidences, some of which help and others of which hinder the protagonists, and because I prefer a lot less coincidence in my fiction, I dropped it down a star from where it would otherwise sit. If that doesn't bother you, and you enjoy pulp action, this could well be the book for you.
Unfortunately, this whole section is rife with coincidences, some of which help and others of which hinder the protagonists, and because I prefer a lot less coincidence in my fiction, I dropped it down a star from where it would otherwise sit. If that doesn't bother you, and you enjoy pulp action, this could well be the book for you.
June 4, 2018
Otra historia policiaca de Wallace. Nada trascendente pero sí divertida. Una artista de mal teatro, un inventor, un viejo avaro, su peculiar criado, un banquero especulador y otros personajes se mezclan en una historia amena.
July 12, 2018
Another reasonable but unremarkable tale from Edgar Wallace.
August 10, 2019
Decent but utterly forgettable. Nothing more to say.
Want to read
December 16, 2019Synopsis: Horace Tom Tickler, burglar, is taken for a ride Chicago style and delivered to Scotland Yard in a stolen cab. The key tells the story.
November 12, 2011
Classic Edgar Wallace mystery. Now in the public domain, with a free electronic copy here.
May 24, 2012
A quick mystery with plenty of twists.
March 31, 2013
Good mystery. The end was excellent.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews