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The Avenger
The Avenger
Paperback
First published January 1, 1907
21 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
E. Phillips Oppenheim
637 books80 followersEdward Phillips Oppenheim was an English novelist, primarily known for his suspense fiction.
He was born in Leicester, the son of a leather merchant, and after attending Wyggeston Grammar School he worked in his father's business for almost 20 years, beginning there at a young age. He continued working in the business, even though he was a successful novelist, until he was 40 at which point he sold the business.
He wrote his first book 'Expiation' in 1887 and in 1898 he published 'The Mysterious Mr Sabin', which he described as "The first of my long series of stories dealing with that shadowy and mysterious world of diplomacy." Thereafter he became a prolific writer and by 1900 he had had 14 novels published.
While on a business trip to the United States in 1890 he met and married Elise Clara Hopkins of Boston and, on return to England, they lived in Evington, Leicestershire until the First World War,and had one daughter. His wife remained faithful to him throughout his life despite his frequent and highly publicised affairs, which often took place abroad and aboard his luxury yacht.
During World War I Oppenheim worked for the Ministry of Information while continuing to write his suspenseful novels.
He featured on the cover of 'Time' magazine on 12 September 1927 and he was the self-styled 'Prince of Storytellers', a title used by Robert standish for his biography of the author.
His literary success enabled him to buy a villa in France and a yacht, spending his winters in France where he regularly entertained more than 250 people at his lavish parties and where he was a well-known figure in high society.
He later purchased a house, Le Vanquiédor in St. Peter Port, in Guernsey. He lost access to the house during the Second World War when Germany occupied the Channel Islands but later regained it.
He wrote 116 novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue type, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life, and 39 volumes of short stories, all of which earned him vast sums of money. He also wrote five novels under the pseudonymn Anthony Partridge and a volume of autobiography, 'The Pool of Memory' in 1939.
He is generally regarded as the earliest writer of spy fiction as we know it today, and invented the 'Rogue Male' school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household.
Undoubtedly his most renowned work was 'The Great Impersonation' (1920), which was filmed three times, the last time as a strong piece of wartime propaganda in 1942. In that novel the plot hinges around two very similar looking gentlemen, one from Britain and the other from Germany, in the early part of the 20th century. Overall more than 30 of his works were made into films.
Perhaps his most enduring creation is the character of General Besserley, the protagonist of 'General Besserley's Puzzle Box' and 'General Besserley's New Puzzle Box'.
Much of his work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law.
Gerry Wolstenholme
He was born in Leicester, the son of a leather merchant, and after attending Wyggeston Grammar School he worked in his father's business for almost 20 years, beginning there at a young age. He continued working in the business, even though he was a successful novelist, until he was 40 at which point he sold the business.
He wrote his first book 'Expiation' in 1887 and in 1898 he published 'The Mysterious Mr Sabin', which he described as "The first of my long series of stories dealing with that shadowy and mysterious world of diplomacy." Thereafter he became a prolific writer and by 1900 he had had 14 novels published.
While on a business trip to the United States in 1890 he met and married Elise Clara Hopkins of Boston and, on return to England, they lived in Evington, Leicestershire until the First World War,and had one daughter. His wife remained faithful to him throughout his life despite his frequent and highly publicised affairs, which often took place abroad and aboard his luxury yacht.
During World War I Oppenheim worked for the Ministry of Information while continuing to write his suspenseful novels.
He featured on the cover of 'Time' magazine on 12 September 1927 and he was the self-styled 'Prince of Storytellers', a title used by Robert standish for his biography of the author.
His literary success enabled him to buy a villa in France and a yacht, spending his winters in France where he regularly entertained more than 250 people at his lavish parties and where he was a well-known figure in high society.
He later purchased a house, Le Vanquiédor in St. Peter Port, in Guernsey. He lost access to the house during the Second World War when Germany occupied the Channel Islands but later regained it.
He wrote 116 novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue type, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life, and 39 volumes of short stories, all of which earned him vast sums of money. He also wrote five novels under the pseudonymn Anthony Partridge and a volume of autobiography, 'The Pool of Memory' in 1939.
He is generally regarded as the earliest writer of spy fiction as we know it today, and invented the 'Rogue Male' school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household.
Undoubtedly his most renowned work was 'The Great Impersonation' (1920), which was filmed three times, the last time as a strong piece of wartime propaganda in 1942. In that novel the plot hinges around two very similar looking gentlemen, one from Britain and the other from Germany, in the early part of the 20th century. Overall more than 30 of his works were made into films.
Perhaps his most enduring creation is the character of General Besserley, the protagonist of 'General Besserley's Puzzle Box' and 'General Besserley's New Puzzle Box'.
Much of his work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law.
Gerry Wolstenholme
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 28, 2013
Murder, Romance and Royal Intrigue in Edwardian London
Mr Herbert Wrayson, 32 years old, a "clubable" bachelor, witnesses the murder of his detestable upstairs neighbor: Mr Morris Barnes. In the middle of the night, he surprises the lovely Louise rifling through the papers on his desk. Unbeknownst to him, she is the estranged daughter his friend, the affable Colonel Fitzmaurice, a kindly soul who lives to help others. Because Wrayson is a witness, several other members of his club become obsessed with the murder, including the lawyer Heneage.
The trail of witnesses, accomplices, and potential inheritors grows longer, and more complicated, while Wrayson falls ever more deeply in love with the mysterious, and completely unwilling, Louise. She is the companion of the Baroness de Sturm.
A trip to France, brings further mystery as Louise is living in a highly guarded Chateau with Madame de Malbain. surrounded by spies.
Who killed Barnes? What is the source of his fortune? Why is Louise unwilling to marry? In this mystery romance, Oppenheim is firmly in his element. Written in 1907, the novel conveys the life of pre-War London, the role of the famous Alhambra music hall, and the manners of the upper class.
Mr Herbert Wrayson, 32 years old, a "clubable" bachelor, witnesses the murder of his detestable upstairs neighbor: Mr Morris Barnes. In the middle of the night, he surprises the lovely Louise rifling through the papers on his desk. Unbeknownst to him, she is the estranged daughter his friend, the affable Colonel Fitzmaurice, a kindly soul who lives to help others. Because Wrayson is a witness, several other members of his club become obsessed with the murder, including the lawyer Heneage.
The trail of witnesses, accomplices, and potential inheritors grows longer, and more complicated, while Wrayson falls ever more deeply in love with the mysterious, and completely unwilling, Louise. She is the companion of the Baroness de Sturm.
A trip to France, brings further mystery as Louise is living in a highly guarded Chateau with Madame de Malbain. surrounded by spies.
Who killed Barnes? What is the source of his fortune? Why is Louise unwilling to marry? In this mystery romance, Oppenheim is firmly in his element. Written in 1907, the novel conveys the life of pre-War London, the role of the famous Alhambra music hall, and the manners of the upper class.
November 25, 2018
Entertaining but convoluted, not to say far-fetched. Indeed, after one of the characters was revealed to be the Queen of Mexonia in disguise, I had a hard time taking it seriously. If Mexonia isn't a Marx Brothers-worthy fake country name I don't know what is. But once I stopped giggling I was able to read to the satisfying, appropriately far-fetched ending.
October 25, 2014
Excellent work, on a par with Oppenheim's other books. It is a romance and murder mystery with a twist I never saw coming.
March 25, 2021
I came across an old copy of this book in an antique shop, but it was called conspirators rather then the Avenger - I just thought that was interesting to note. It was a very entertaining and easy read full of mystery. Most of the characters were intriguing and complex, my only grievance is that there isnt much context into the backgroud of wrayson and at times his character can be quite plain or two dimensional, but i suppose that is to be expected when he acts as a narrator throughout.
I recommend this book to anyone who just wants a chill easy read.
I recommend this book to anyone who just wants a chill easy read.
November 16, 2021
Kto zamordował Barnesa? Jaki miał motyw? Czy tajemnicza kobieta jest zamieszana w zbrodnię?
Lekkie pióro Oppenheima sprawia, że czyta się bardzo dobrze. Dobry pomysł, ciekawe rozwinięcie. Jednak kolejny raz zawiodłam się tym, że ciekawie zapowiadająca się fabuła kryminalna zostaje zdominowana przez wątki obyczajowe. Zabrakło też elementu zaskoczenia przy ujawnieniu zbrodniarza (choć może nie była to postać oczywista).
Lekkie pióro Oppenheima sprawia, że czyta się bardzo dobrze. Dobry pomysł, ciekawe rozwinięcie. Jednak kolejny raz zawiodłam się tym, że ciekawie zapowiadająca się fabuła kryminalna zostaje zdominowana przez wątki obyczajowe. Zabrakło też elementu zaskoczenia przy ujawnieniu zbrodniarza (choć może nie była to postać oczywista).
October 1, 2025
‘The Avenger’ (1907), a Ruritarian romance, all blood and thunder, complete with Queen, Prince and knave, blackmail, beautiful women, villains and heroes. The Oppenheim touch is present in the slapdash swagger of every sentence. A little dated now, though the thrill it must have once had for its readership is still evident.
September 19, 2019
Oppenheim did not disappoint! My only complaint would be that the main character was more of a hopeless romantic than even I would prefer. An intriguing story/murder mystery that I couldn’t put down!
January 21, 2019
Loved the plot and characters. Not the usual what with actual integrity and good morals . Well read by Tom Weiss. - Recommended.
August 15, 2020
The beginning is disorganized, the rest is fractured fairy tale - set on the Cote d'azur.
January 25, 2018
Интересно.
Очень приятный для понимания язык, читается легко и непринужденно. Приятные переживания, интересный поворот сюжета.
Немного лишних совпадений, на мой вкус, но автору виднее, как там в его мире происходит.
Очень интересна сцена с полковником: убийца? нет, не может быть! но товарищи, я же вернулся с войны, там я сколько убил, вы знаете? нет, там - совсем другое дело!
Человек взял на себя роль исполнителя закона. Даже скорее судьи. Почему бы и нет? Если все согласны. Но тут появилась жена убитого - а ко мне он был добр. Так можно ли его теперь убивать?
Я считаю, что как был полковник всю книгу душкой, так и после признания остался.
Он действовал не ради своей выгоды, его никто не вынуждал. Это как встретив на дороге мусор поднять его и выбросить в урну. Должен ли это делать только дворник или может каждый? Да, конечно, изначально никто не должен мусорить, но если всё же вот она, бумажка, лежит - поднять или не поднять?
Я бы, наверное, не подняла, у меня бы не хватило - сил, мужества, решительности? - чего-то. Потому что дворник, который это увидит, не поблагодарит тебя за это, а как раз наоборот.
Но если ты чувствуешь в себе такое право - делать мир чище - можно (в этическом) или нет?
Очень приятный для понимания язык, читается легко и непринужденно. Приятные переживания, интересный поворот сюжета.
Немного лишних совпадений, на мой вкус, но автору виднее, как там в его мире происходит.
Очень интересна сцена с полковником: убийца? нет, не может быть! но товарищи, я же вернулся с войны, там я сколько убил, вы знаете? нет, там - совсем другое дело!
Человек взял на себя роль исполнителя закона. Даже скорее судьи. Почему бы и нет? Если все согласны. Но тут появилась жена убитого - а ко мне он был добр. Так можно ли его теперь убивать?
Я считаю, что как был полковник всю книгу душкой, так и после признания остался.
Он действовал не ради своей выгоды, его никто не вынуждал. Это как встретив на дороге мусор поднять его и выбросить в урну. Должен ли это делать только дворник или может каждый? Да, конечно, изначально никто не должен мусорить, но если всё же вот она, бумажка, лежит - поднять или не поднять?
Я бы, наверное, не подняла, у меня бы не хватило - сил, мужества, решительности? - чего-то. Потому что дворник, который это увидит, не поблагодарит тебя за это, а как раз наоборот.
Но если ты чувствуешь в себе такое право - делать мир чище - можно (в этическом) или нет?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2018
I recently ordered an early edition of this book from Amazon and couldn't wait to read it. The ending was a surprise! Actually, the hint is in the title, but I hardly expected the culprit to be the one it turned out to be. Great mystery!
May 27, 2014
Old fashion mystery
Historical romance and mystery and the language of the era makes this book worthwhile. Really good characters and good ending. One of the books I will re-read over and over
Historical romance and mystery and the language of the era makes this book worthwhile. Really good characters and good ending. One of the books I will re-read over and over
June 12, 2015
Well-written and promising start, but after about 2/3 of the book the story gets a bit slow. After having read The Cinema Murder by Oppenheim, this one was a bit disappointing, but it is by no means a bad book.
October 23, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much...continued reading it even when I had other stuff I was supposed to be doing.
November 16, 2014
An unusual murder occurs an Wrayson ends up in the midst of the investigation... What is Louise hiding, what does she know? And who on earth could have committed such a crime, and why?
May 16, 2015
An Ok-ish read which started promisingly, but then started meandering aimlessly and laboured to a predictable ending.I think I picked the wrong book to get a glimpse of Oppenheim.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews