When Lightning Strikes Twice

by J.S. Fletcher, Joseph Smith Fletcher

Two shadowy brothers slain on the very same day! When a leading authority on antique books is summoned to a remote Northumbrian mansion, he's struck at once by its faded grandeur and the raw beauty of his new surroundings. However, barely has Mr. Middlebrook unpacked his bags before a curious murder mystery is underway. At its heart lies the strange slaying of two brothers, dead within hours of each other, at opposite ends of the country. Although the killer's motives, obscure as they are, appear bound up with the murky past of the murdered pair and their obsessive quest for buried treasure. As this past is gradually unearthed, we learn that the double homicide has its origins in the Far East and is directly related to another baffling the unknown fate of a tramp steamer, the Elizabeth Robinson, which disappeared without trace in the South China Sea. When Lightning Strikes Twice is a vintage murder mystery, expertly plotted, and with enough likely suspects and plausible deniability to keep the reader guessing. It also benefits from a splendid array of atmospheric backdrops, and motley cast of characters, who both offer a wonderful snapshot of England in the years leading up to the First World War. An early example of golden age detective fiction, the novel also harks back to the sensational fare of Wilkie Collins with its gothic overtones and air of oriental mystery; all described by the narrator, with perfect accuracy, as "a series of adventures so extraordinary and fraught with danger that I am still wondering how I ever came safely through them.” Originally published in 1922 as Ravensdene Court, this novel is the first in a series of classic reissues from Second Wind Press, with more to follow shortly. Sensitively reedited with the modern reader in mind, it still retains all of its period charm and particular flavour. The aim being to unearth undervalued literary works – and give them a much deserved polish – for a brand new audience to enjoy.

Genres: Audiobook

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2021

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

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book, narrated by Alastair Cameron.

This book felt really old-fashioned. Set in 1912, it involves the mysterious murders of two brothers and the subsequent investigation by the narrator, who is nearby cataloging an inheritance of books and papers. That alone made it feel rather odd.
(Why would the police tolerate, even request, the participation of some random dude?)

Then I discovered that this book was originally published in 1922 as “Ravensdene Court” and the rather simple plot made more sense. The narration by Alastair Cameron was excellent, his use of accents - posh, working class, regional - serving to define each character. Yes, there are some strange plot points, underdeveloped characters, and anachronisms, but it’s a hundred years old! Read with that in mind, it’s quite entertaining.