The Root of All Evil

by J.S. Fletcher, Joseph Smith Fletcher

After a childhood beset by abject poverty, Jeckie Fletcher is determined to do whatever it takes to live a comfortable, stable life. That's why she rejects the love of her childhood sweetheart, Joe Bartle, and instead sets her sights on local merchant Albert Grice. When her dogged pursuit of Grice ends in failure, Jeckie refuses to give up on her dream-setting into motion a series of events that will ultimately wreak havoc in the lives of everyone involved.

158 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2011

About the author

Joseph Smith Fletcher was an English journalist, writer, and fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He studied law before turning to journalism.

His literary career spanned approximately 200 books on a wide variety of subjects including fiction, non-fiction, histories, historical fiction, and mysteries. He was known as one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Golden Age .

Reviews

[Raymond Burchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old book but very good

I am a lover of old books especially when it touches the heart and this one does it is a story of wealth and well the other way.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me think of Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend. Grocery owner turned coal mine owner. Poor, rich, poor.

[A. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent characterization

A good steady narrative with a well drawn protagonist. A bit moralistic; the end was not just predictable (unimpressive), but inevitable (impressive). Not his best book though.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a holiday or a be of good cheer book - but - could the ending be a happy chimera with the potential for [at best] contentment despite it all, or because of it all? So I would see it.