"The Piccadilly Puzzle" is a captivating mystery that centers around a complex puzzle that unfolds in the vibrant streets of London. The story follows a sharp-witted detective who is called upon to unravel a tangled web of intrigue and secrets.
The plot kicks off when a high-profile crime is committed, and the only clue left behind is a cryptic puzzle that holds the key to solving the case. The detective embarks on a detailed investigation, piecing together the scattered clues and deciphering the enigma that lies at the heart of the mystery.
As the investigation progresses, the detective encounters a series of unexpected red herrings and deceptive characters, heightening the suspense and complicating the search for the truth. Each twist and turn in the plot adds layers of complexity, leading to a thrilling solution that ties together the seemingly disparate elements of the puzzle.
In "The Piccadilly Puzzle," the blend of intrigue, suspense, and a well-crafted thriller narrative keeps readers engaged as they follow the detective's journey through the enigmatic world of crime and deception.
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.