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The Watchers
Excerpt from The Watchers: A Novel
I had never need to keep any record either of the date or place. It was the fifteenth night of July, in the year 1758, and the place was Lieutenant Clutterbuck's lodging at the south corner of Burleigh Street, Strand. The night was tropical in its heat, and though every window stood open to the Thames, there was not a man, I think, who did not long for the cool relief of morning, or step out from time to time on to the balcony and search the dark profundity of sky for the first flecks of grey.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
I had never need to keep any record either of the date or place. It was the fifteenth night of July, in the year 1758, and the place was Lieutenant Clutterbuck's lodging at the south corner of Burleigh Street, Strand. The night was tropical in its heat, and though every window stood open to the Thames, there was not a man, I think, who did not long for the cool relief of morning, or step out from time to time on to the balcony and search the dark profundity of sky for the first flecks of grey.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
300 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2017
5 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
A.E.W. Mason
217 books48 followersMajor Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (7 May 1865 Dulwich, London - 22 November 1948 London) was a British author and politician. He is best remembered for his 1902 novel The Four Feathers.
He studied at Dulwich College and graduated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1888. He was a contemporary of fellow Liberal Anthony Hope, who went on to write the adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda.
His first novel, A Romance of Wastdale, was published in 1895. He was the author of more than 20 books, including At The Villa Rose (1910), a mystery novel in which he introduced his French detective, Inspector Hanaud. His best-known book is The Four Feathers, which has been made into several films. Many consider it his masterpiece. Other books are The House of the Arrow (1924), No Other Tiger (1927), The Prisoner in the Opal (1929) and Fire Over England (1937).
He studied at Dulwich College and graduated from Trinity College, Oxford in 1888. He was a contemporary of fellow Liberal Anthony Hope, who went on to write the adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda.
His first novel, A Romance of Wastdale, was published in 1895. He was the author of more than 20 books, including At The Villa Rose (1910), a mystery novel in which he introduced his French detective, Inspector Hanaud. His best-known book is The Four Feathers, which has been made into several films. Many consider it his masterpiece. Other books are The House of the Arrow (1924), No Other Tiger (1927), The Prisoner in the Opal (1929) and Fire Over England (1937).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 17, 2019
Well! That was fun! I need to read more by this author. He tells a fine yarn.
April 22, 2018
Do you like it when the hero has no idea what he’s getting into? When there is a promise of instant death or unfathomable riches? When the hero loves with no promise of recompense? Do you like a villain who grows more evil with each passing chapter? This is the book for you.
This one starts out in one of the most unpromising settings to find loyalty, honor, and love, at a drunken gambling party. In fact, for a chapter or two, we aren’t even sure who will accept the challenge and become the hero of the story. Then slowly the hero takes up the challenge and rides to answer the call for help. From there on out, you follow the mystery from his point of view; either getting more puzzled or rushing to rescue the helpless.
It was quite an adventure story.
I had a hard time separating this book from Treasure Island. It has an isolated location, pirates, buried treasure, chases, and a self-effacing narrator. The style and rhythm are extremely similar. It’s a good story in its own right, but a little slower than Stevenson’s book.
It was a very clean book and probably aimed at a young audience. Even the romance was rather muted compared to the suspense and action.
Free audiobook on LibraVox.
This one starts out in one of the most unpromising settings to find loyalty, honor, and love, at a drunken gambling party. In fact, for a chapter or two, we aren’t even sure who will accept the challenge and become the hero of the story. Then slowly the hero takes up the challenge and rides to answer the call for help. From there on out, you follow the mystery from his point of view; either getting more puzzled or rushing to rescue the helpless.
It was quite an adventure story.
I had a hard time separating this book from Treasure Island. It has an isolated location, pirates, buried treasure, chases, and a self-effacing narrator. The style and rhythm are extremely similar. It’s a good story in its own right, but a little slower than Stevenson’s book.
It was a very clean book and probably aimed at a young audience. Even the romance was rather muted compared to the suspense and action.
Free audiobook on LibraVox.
April 8, 2016
One of Mason's better ones, a bit like Treasure Island and a bit ghostly. Starts with boy bursting in, much laughter, good description of door opening and he highly embarassed and frightened, is made to stand on table and explain story. Hero, an onlooker, decides to go and help. Woman is very beautiful and heiress but she was a ward, real son cut off inheritance. She promised to marry him on return (We later find out she was hypnotised). Hero knows, watches her waiting for man's return because he knows where the treasure is. He gets captured, but saved by man who wants revenge. His son was on boat and was hypnotised to dangle his legs in and get taken by a crocodile.(we find this out at the end). Horrid. Many of Mason's are cruel and about murder. Back to his old self.
March 5, 2012
A great read!
July 1, 2020
After a meandering beginning, “The Watchers” gradually evolves into an engaging tale of mystery and danger.
April 19, 2024
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8aRD...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews