“The Red-headed Man” by Ferguson Hume is a detective fiction novel that centers around a compelling mystery involving a red-headed character. The story unfolds with a crime that sets off a complex investigation led by a determined sleuth. The narrative is rich with suspenseful moments and unexpected developments.
The red-headed man plays a pivotal role in the plot, with his unique characteristics being integral to the unfolding mystery. Through a combination of clever plotting and engaging characters, the novel delivers a gripping and immersive experience for fans of crime and detective fiction. In “The Red-headed Man” by Ferguson Hume, suspense is a key element as the story revolves around a gripping and mysterious crime linked to a red-headed character. The novel begins with an enigmatic incident that catches the attention of a skilled detective, who is tasked with unraveling the layers of the case. “The Red-headed Man” combines suspenseful storytelling with a central character whose unique features are crucial to the unraveling of the mystery, offering an engaging and thrilling read for fans of detective fiction and the suspense builds steadily, driven by the mystery surrounding the red-headed man and the stakes of solving the case.
Ferguson Wright Hume, also known as Fergus Hume, was a prolific English novelist who wrote detective fiction, thrillers, and mysteries. Hume was born in Powick, Worcestershire, England, as the second son of James C. Hume, a Scot, who worked as a clerk and steward at the county pauper and lunatic asylum. When he was three, his family moved to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he attended Otago Boys' High School and studied law at the University of Otago. He was admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 1885. Hume moved to Melbourne, Australia, shortly after graduating and began working as a barristers' clerk. He began writing plays but was unable to persuade Melbourne theatre managers to approve, let alone read them. Hume returned to England, first in London, then in Thundersley, Essex, at Church Cottage, most likely on the invitation of the Reverend Thomas Noon Talfourd Major. Hume resided in Thundersley for thirty years, producing over 130 novels and various collections, the most of which were mystery stories, although, he never regained the fame of his debut novel. He also wrote lyrics for songs written by his brother-in-law, Charles Willeby, and book reviews for literary periodicals such as The Bookman. The 1911 census shows him as ‘author’, aged 51, and living at Church Cottage, Thundersley, which comprised of six rooms. He had a housekeeper, Ada Louise Peck, a widow aged 69. He made regular trips to Italy, France, Switzerland, and other European countries.
