“Red Money” by Fergus Hume is a gripping mystery novel set in the late 19th century in a British setting. The story revolves around a murder tied to a large inheritance, plunging the characters into a web of secrets, suspicion, and intrigue. The plot begins with the discovery of a murder that shocks a seemingly quiet and respectable community. The victim is someone connected to a large inheritance, sparking immediate interest and suspicion among the characters. The detective, who serves as the protagonist, is tasked with unraveling the mystery, navigating through a maze of lies, deceit, and half-truths. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that nearly everyone involved has something to hide. The inheritance becomes a central point of contention, with various characters motivated by the promise of wealth. The detective's pursuit of the truth reveals not just the circumstances of the crime but also the dark secrets and hidden relationships among the characters. Overall, “Red Money” is a compelling example of 19th-century detective fiction, combining elements of crime, mystery, and psychological drama to create a story that captivates and entertains.
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.
