George Manville Fenn
In this short but thoroughly gripping mystery from George Manville Fenn, a reclusive millionaire has died, leaving his fortune to be divided according to his rather unusual instructions. A group of potential beneficiaries are informed that the money may be hidden in the late fellow's stately mansion, and hijinks inevitably ensue.
In this suspenseful tale geared for younger audiences, a London physician becomes obsessed with the prospect of creating an elixir that can promise eternal youth. Along the way, Fenn brings in an amusing cast of memorable minor characters, and a subplot pertaining to a mislaid treasure is introduced.
Begumbagh is a short novel targeted to younger audiences that presents a view of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Though Fenn's account is slanted toward the British military's perspective, it's an enriching take on an important turning point in the history of colonialism. This edition also includes a number of other Fenn short stories.
16) By Birth a Lady
In George Manville Fenn's By Birth a Lady, a chance encounter in the aftermath of a riding accident paves the way for a romantic entanglement that seems to be doomed from the start. Will social pressures to marry prevail and force a practical union between unfeeling partners, or will the young lovers find the courage to follow their hearts?