The Malefactor

E. Phillips Oppenheim

This 1907 novel was one of the early popular novels of society by E. Phillips Oppenheim. The story revolves around the conflict between a gentlemans obligation to defend the honor of a lady, and his responsibility to his own feelings, family, and freedom. Sir Wingrave, imprisoned wrongfully for killing a man, finishes his sentence and plans his vengeance against those who would not tell the truth to help him during his trial. He becomes misanthropic, seeking only revenge. He wishes to be a malefactor, doing only evil. His class, upbringing, and social ties all mitigate his evil. A young journalist, enamored with the thought of spending time with a man with such a history, offers himself as a secretary. Does Sir Wingrave succeed in taking his vengeance? Does his secretary betray him or help him?

The Man and His Kingdom

E. Phillips Oppenheim

A best-selling author of novels, short stories, magazine articles, translations, and plays, Oppenheim published over 150 books. He is considered one of the originators of the thriller genre, his novels also range from spy thrillers to romance, but all have an undertone of intrigue. The Man and His Kingdom is set in an imaginary South American Republic. The hero is a benevolent English millionaire and ex-Member of Parliament who, after many adventures, marries the Presidents beautiful daughter and attempts to rules in his stead. It is a brilliant, nervous, intensely dramatic tale of love, intrigue, and revolution in a South American State. If you have a fondness for early 20th century adventure you should find this to be an entertaining read.

The Man from Sing Sing

E. Phillips Oppenheim

Cruelly betrayed by the testimony of Reuben Argels, his business partner and close friend, Moran Chambers is sentenced to 10 years in Sing Sing Prison. Haunted by the feeling that Chambers will exact revenge, Argels flees on the next boat to London, where he finds their third partner, the dour Scotchman Andrew Pulwitter, and Morans mistress, the lovely actress Ambouyna Kotinzi. Argels finds success in London, but is all the while haunted by the thought when will Chambers wreak his revenge? It presents a fascinating picture of the frenzy which possessed financial markets at the beginning of the Roaring 30s with the twists and turns of the story.

The Man Who Changed His Plea

E. Phillips Oppenheim

In the courtroom of Lord Malladene, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Richard Lebur stands accused of murdering his lovers lover. Lebur is convinced to change his plea to guilty to avoid a death sentence. At the last minute, as he is being taken to jail, he shouts out that he is innocent. Seven years later, Martin Campbell Brockenhurst, Viscount and ex-policeman, with Scotland Yard, pursues the case further, convinces that Lebur is innocent, motivated by his love for Leburs wife. Eventually, the case clears itself to everyones romantic satisfaction. This later novel by Oppenheim is a mixture of the modern sensibility and the Victorian. There is more violence, scenes of abuse, and psychological anguish than in most of his writings.

The Man without Nerves

E. Phillips Oppenheim

In this novel we have Oppenheims as it best, with the story of a man hunt set in an English village, and involving a well-known banker and the Lord of the Manor. The story is a thriller built on several interlaced mysteries which are suddenly thrust on the sleepy village of Sandywayes: three men committing shockingly unexpected suicides, three strangers with questionable backstories but no obvious connections simultaneously appearing in town, and large amounts of money quietly disappearing from the bank. This 1935 novel focuses on the conduct of bankers, their clients, and wealthy merchants in the English suburbs surrounding London in the interwar period. The comfortable society of tennis and golf, private cars in trains, and unspoken secrets of money and privilege are the keys to unlocking the mystery.

The Master Mummer

E. Phillips Oppenheim

Arnold (a writer), Allan (an artist) and Arthur (works in finance) all live together. Once their attention is caught by a middle age man and a young girl about sixteen who seems frightened. They overhear where they are eating and continue to watch the couple and Arnold even goes over to offer her assistance. Then a surprising thing happens, his acquaintance shoots the man shes with and disappears. Amid all the confusion and hospital and police, Arnold stays with the young woman and brings her home. The three men become her guardians for the next couple of years. The mysterious man comes to see them and asks them to take care of her and not let her go to anyone. Why do so many people want her? Does Arnold get his real story?

The Mayor on Horseback

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The young handsome Mayor of Mechester, Daniel Poynton is the owner of a very successful shoe manufacturer, the major employer in the city and the mayor will soon be a Lord Mayor. Never before interested in women, or even in social affairs, he is stricken by the beauty of The Lady Ursula Manningham and falls in love. As the novel develops, Poyntons factory is threatened by foreign manufacturers who want to establish a cooperative monopoly with him. At the same time, Poyntons relationship with Violet Grey, who is a competent secretary, continues to develop and becomes more important to his business and social life. Meanwhile his infatuation with Lady Ursula progresses to the point of asking her to marry... The book shows interesting color on the interaction between socialist workers unions and managements enlightened response to worker unrest.

The Milan Grill Room

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The Milan Grill Room is a series of ten connected short stories featuring the character of Louis, a crippled veteran of World War I and maître dhôtel, who solves crimes from his table in the Grill Room of the hotel and who is able to provide invaluable assistance to the British police and Secret Service. Tracking spies, catching traitors, uncovering plots, often in the company of Major Charles Lyson of the Secret Service, Louis is never ruffled, and always resourceful. These ten connected episodes, centering around the activities of the good Louis are replete with adventure, intrigue and romance. Also these short story collection by Mr. Oppenheim including: The Calais Gun, The Third Key, The Kidnapping of Mr. Peter Jardine and so on.