"The Purple Fern" is a compelling mystery that intertwines the natural world with an intriguing plot of secrets and suspense. The story revolves around a rare and enigmatic fern, known for its unique purple hue, which becomes the focal point of a gripping investigation.
The protagonist, driven by a personal or professional quest, stumbles upon the purple fern and soon discovers that it holds more than just botanical interest. As they delve into the intrigue surrounding the fern, they uncover a series of hidden clues that suggest the plant is connected to a larger, more complex enigma.
The journey involves exploring lush nature settings and uncovering layers of mystery linked to the fern’s origin and significance. Each revelation brings the protagonist closer to understanding the fern's role in a broader adventure filled with discovery and unexpected twists.
As the investigation progresses, the suspense builds, revealing how the fern is tied to past events or secrets that have remained buried. The protagonist’s pursuit of the truth leads to thrilling confrontations and deepens the thriller elements of the story, making "The Purple Fern" a captivating read that combines botanical curiosity with a riveting mystery.
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.
