"The Lunatic at Large" by J. Storer Clouston is a thrilling mystery-comedy that embodies the essence of British literature. With a captivating blend of suspense and humor, Clouston's novel unfolds as a rollercoaster of madness and adventure, led by eccentric characters and an intrepid detective. Set against a backdrop of psychological intrigue, the story navigates through a farcical maze of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its witty humor and puzzling whodunit elements. As the plot thickens, Clouston masterfully weaves together a narrative full of suspense and intrigue, challenging readers to unravel the mystery alongside the quirky cast of characters. With its engaging blend of crime fiction and comedy, "The Lunatic at Large" offers readers an immersive journey into a world where madness and mystery collide. Through clever dialogue and intricate plot developments, Clouston invites readers to embark on a delightful romp through the absurdities of human nature, all while keeping them guessing until the very end. In this timeless classic of British literature, Clouston demonstrates his prowess as a storyteller, delivering a thrilling and humorous tale that will leave readers entertained and thoroughly satisfied.
Joseph Storer Clouston was a Scottish writer and historian. According to his obituary in The Scotsman, J. S. Clouston, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, came from a "old Orkney family". The Cloustons are descended from Havard Gunnason, Chief Counsellor to Haakon, Earl of Orkney, and later became landed gentry, deriving their name from their estate, Clouston. After attending Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh and Magdalen College in Oxford, he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in London in 1895, but he never practised law. Soon after starting his writing career, he released one of his most popular novels, The Lunatic at Large. He was also a historian, the author of a comprehensive history of Orkney, the founder and second president of the Orkney Antiquarian Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. In the late 1930s, his film The Spy in Black became a blockbuster. His First Offence was also filmed in France under the title Drole de drama. Beastmark the Spy, a 1941 thriller, was his final novel. He died at his residence, Smoogro House, in Orphir, Orkney. After his father's cousin (William Clouston, 23rd of Clouston) died, Clouston took over as head of the family.
