The riddle of the purple emperor follows a master of disguise drawn into a case involving a family legacy tainted by a cursed jewel. At the center is a diamond of great value and greater misfortune, whose history has left a trail of fear and suspicion. As the story unfolds, the protagonist confronts a world shaped by wealth, secrecy, and the lengths people go to preserve reputation. A country estate becomes the site of hidden motives and generational burdens, where the appearance of civility masks deep unease. The journey begins at a train station and moves through conversations that hint at danger, culminating in an invitation to a place where tragedy once unfolded and may yet again. The narrative explores how objects of desire can dominate lives, how history shapes behavior, and how truth can be buried under layers of performance and inherited silence. The jewel is not just a treasure but a lens through which guilt, greed, and illusion are magnified, demanding clarity in a world built on deception.
"Mary E. Hanshew was born on February 29, 1852, and passed away on December 22, 1927. Originally from the United States, she later moved to the United Kingdom, where she became known for writing detective thrillers, often collaborating with her husband, Thomas W. Hanshew. Together, they created the popular Riddle/Hamilton Cleek series, featuring the clever detective Hamilton Cleek. Her work includes titles such as The Frozen Flame, which was serialized in Short Stories in 1920 and later published as a novel. Mary E. Hanshew's writing contributed significantly to early detective fiction, combining elements of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Their partnership enriched the series, blending their talents in storytelling, creating intricate plots and atmospheric settings that captivated readers.
Thomas W. Hanshew was born in 1857 in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career as an actor, performing with notable companies such as Ellen Terry’s. Later, he became a prolific writer, best known for creating Hamilton Cleek, the man of forty faces. Hanshew wrote numerous novels, stories, and plays, solidifying his reputation in mystery and thriller genres. He died in London in 1914 at age fifty-seven."
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