Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

The “Talleyrand Maxim” holds that “With time and patience, the mulberry leaf is turned into satin.” The adage has the character of guidance for life for an ambitious legal clerk, Linford Pratt. The moment comes when a “mulberry leaf” falls into Pratt’s hands in the form of the will of a wealthy local industrial magnate, undiscovered at the time of his death. Realizing that possession of it gives him leverage over the natural beneficiaries—the late man’s nephew and niece, and their mother—Pratt sets to work to transform it into his “satin.” As wily as he proves to be, his aspirations face complications, for it seems his possession of the will is not so secret as he supposed. J. S. Fletcher is best known for his detective fiction, but The Talleyrand Maxim is not a typical whodunit. Pratt’s culpability is never hidden from the reader, nor is there a traditional “sleuth.” The suspense lies, rather, in whether he will pull it off, as the suspicions of other interested parties deepen. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

The “Talleyrand Maxim” holds that “With time and patience, the mulberry leaf is turned into satin.” The adage has the character of guidance for life for an ambitious legal clerk, Linford Pratt. The moment comes when a “mulberry leaf” falls into Pratt’s hands in the form of the will of a wealthy local industrial magnate, undiscovered at the time of his death. Realizing that possession of it gives him leverage over the natural beneficiaries—the late man’s nephew and niece, and their mother—Pratt sets to work to transform it into his “satin.” As wily as he proves to be, his aspirations face complications, for it seems his possession of the will is not so secret as he supposed. J. S. Fletcher is best known for his detective fiction, but The Talleyrand Maxim is not a typical whodunit. Pratt’s culpability is never hidden from the reader, nor is there a traditional “sleuth.” The suspense lies, rather, in whether he will pull it off, as the suspicions of other interested parties deepen.

Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1933) was an English author, one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Golden Age. This edition includes: Novels Perris of the Cherry Trees The Middle Temple Murder Dead Men's Money The Talleyrand Maxim The Paradise Mystery The Borough Treasurer The Chestermarke Instinct The Herapath Property The Orange-Yellow Diamond The Root of All Evil In The Mayor's Parlour The Middle of Things Ravensdene Court The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation Scarhaven Keep The Charing Cross Mystery The Kang-He Vase The Safety Pin Sea Fog The Borgia Cabinet The Mill House Murder In the Days of Drake Where Highways Cross Short Stories Paul Campenhaye – Specialist in Criminology The French Maid The Yorkshire Manufacturer The Covent Garden Fruit Shop The Irish Mail The Tobacco-Box Mrs. Duquesne The House on Hardress Head The Champagne Bottle The Settling Day The Magician of Cannon Street The Secret of the Barbican and Other Stories Against Time The Earl, the Warder and the Wayward Heiress The Fifteenth-Century Crozier The Yellow Dog Room 53 The Secret of the Barbican The Silhouette Blind Gap Moor St. Morkil's Isle Extra-Judicial The Second Capsule The Way to Jericho Patent No. 33 The Selchester Missal The Murder in the Mayor's Parlour Mr. Poskitt's Nightcaps (Stories of a Yorkshire Farmer) The Guardian of High Elms Farm A Stranger in Arcady The Man Who Was Nobody Little Miss Partridge The Marriage of Mr. Jarvis Bread Cast upon the Waters William Henry and the Dairymaid The Spoils to the Victor An Arcadian Courtship The Way of the Comet Brothers in Affliction A Man or a Mouse A Deal in Odd Volumes The Chief Magistrate Other Stories The Ivory God The Other Sense The New Sun The Lighthouse on Shivering Sand .. Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1933) was an English author, one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Golden Age.

J. S. Fletcher's 'British Murder Mysteries - The J. S. Fletcher Collection' is a captivating anthology of classic detective fiction from the early 20th century. Known for his intricate plots and well-developed characters, Fletcher's writing style is reminiscent of the Golden Age of detective fiction, drawing comparisons to Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle. The collection includes a diverse range of mysteries set in various English locales, each with its own unique twist and suspenseful climax. Readers will be kept on the edge of their seats as they follow the brilliant detectives solving perplexing crimes in the tradition of the great British whodunits. As a prolific writer of over 200 novels and short stories, J. S. Fletcher's deep fascination with crime and human nature is evident in his mastery of the mystery genre. His keen observations of society and meticulous attention to detail shine through in his intricate narratives, making his stories both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. Fletcher's background as a journalist and historian informs his writing, adding depth and authenticity to his portrayal of the English countryside and urban settings. I highly recommend 'British Murder Mysteries - The J. S. Fletcher Collection' to fans of classic detective fiction and anyone looking for a well-crafted mystery that will keep them guessing until the final page. Fletcher's timeless tales of intrigue and suspense are sure to delight readers seeking a riveting glimpse into the world of early 20th-century British crime-solving.