Trent's Last Case

E. C. Bentley

Publisher: DigiCat

Summary

E. C. Bentley's "Trent's Last Case" is a groundbreaking detective novel that deftly blends traditional mystery with elements of social commentary and psychological depth. Published in 1913, it revolves around Philip Trent, an unconventional detective who is brought into a perplexing murder case that challenges his moral compass. Bentley employs a witty, conversational style while weaving intricate plotlines that question the nature of justice, morality, and human fallibility, reflecting the disillusionment of the early 20th century. The novel is both a homage to and a subversion of the conventional detective genre, offering readers an insightful critique of their expectations. E. C. Bentley, an English writer and journalist, was deeply immersed in the literary and cultural currents of his day, which likely influenced his unique approach to the detective genre. His experiences in journalism and his friendships with notable literary figures, including H.G. Wells, informed his understanding of narrative structure and character development. Bentley's skepticism concerning traditional crime narratives is evident, as he sought to challenge readers' preconceived notions of the detective's role within society. "Trent's Last Case" is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of detective fiction or the early 20th-century literary landscape. Bentley's masterful storytelling, combined with his introspective examination of human nature and morality, will captivate readers and provoke thought long after the final page.

Available since: 11/13/2022.

Print length: 170 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Stolen Virus

Gary F. Jones

Veterinary virologist Jason Mitchell can’t keep his mouth shut, can’t lie convincingly, and can’t follow orders. He’s an unlikely candidate to help the CIA locate and destroy a deadly hybrid virus stolen from Jason’s lab at the University of Minnesota. From Washington to Djibouti, From Minneapolis to Yemen, Marines cringe, Senators turn livid, and CIA agents shudder as Jason struggles to prevent the virus from becoming a biological weapon in the hands of insurgents..Jason and Ann Hartman, veterinarians, lovers, and graduate students, conduct a study of BCV in calves, a common virus that causes diarrhea in cattle. A recently arrived Chinese student accidentally exposes the calves to the SARS virus, a close relative of BCV. The calves and the Chinese student develop a severe and puzzling pneumonia. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) isolates a hybrid BCV-SARS virus from the Chinese student and the calves. The FBI is notified of the new and dangerous virus.Meanwhile, Ahmed, more con man than graduate student, discovers samples of Jason's that contain the virus. He steals them and flees to Yemen where he pretends to be a devout Muslim to get funding from a terrorist group that believes the virus will be valuable as a biological weapon and as bait to lure the CIA into military action that will kill innocent civilians and increase hatred of the US.In a very serious situation with a bumbling hero and unexpected situations, Jason and an unconventional CIA agent redefine “thinking outside the box” as they con Ahmed, dodge bullets, and thwart the bad guys."A medical thriller that will keep you guessing and engaged while offering subtle humor as the good guys triumph."

Show book

Best Laid Plans - A Samantha...

Kristi Rose

No “learn to be a PI” video prepared her for this... 
When Samantha True witnesses Wind River's most popular principal keel over dead she knows three things. 
He's been murdered 
Proving it will be impossible 
They're gonna think she did it 
As she works to clear her name, Samantha learns "Principal Josh" is the king of slime balls. Eliminating suspects proves tricky when half the town has a motive for murder. 
It'll take the right private investigator to crack this killer's best laid plans. 
Warning: May cause spontaneous laughter. This mystery offers witty banter, characters you'll want to be friends with, and is a perfect escape to the Pacific Northwest. Laughing out loud in public may cause curious glances from strangers.

Show book

Pussy Productions

Mark DK Berry

In the eccentric world of 'Pussy Productions,' a London-based porn production company, a motley crew of individuals find themselves inexplicably thrown together. How this incendiary mix of people came to converge is a curious tale in itself. 
Sir Stott, a knighted Etonian, longs for the elegant normality of his pre-Pussy Productions life. Meanwhile, Hazelhot, an ex-military psychopath, is hell-bent on sowing violent, bloody chaos wherever he goes. 
As events spiral out of control, the bizarre escapades of these characters become the talk of societal clubs, working-class pubs, newspapers, and even military history books. Throw in a handful of dwarfs, some fiery feminists, and a couple of famous porn stars, and you have a recipe for disaster beyond anyone's wildest imagination. 
The tale unfolds in ways that defy rational explanation or belief, leaving high-ranking government officials and gangland hoodlums hoping such madness will never be repeated. 
Welcome to a satirical journey where chaos reigns supreme, and the only certainty is utter unpredictability.

Show book

This Was Not The Plan

Daphne Uviller

This Was Not the Plan starts out as a funny and sharply observed campus novel and then deepens into a thought-provoking examination of the complicated and always thorny politics of abortion. Daphne Uviller is a shrewd and compassionate writer, able to imagine a wide variety of intersecting lives and outlooks, and find humor in even the darkest moments.” — Tom Perrotta, author of Election and Tracy Flick Can’t Win  
When theater director Sylvia Tanisman wins her first Tony award, her husband takes the occasion to announce he’s divorcing her. Sylvia flees the shambles of her marriage by accepting a visiting professorship at Linden, an elite college in Pierre, New York. A few counties north, high school senior Meg Croyden has  
narrowly survived a self-destructive, rebellious youth and is headed to Linden on a full scholarship. In the town of Pierre, lifelong resident and devout Catholic Caroline Byrne McClanahan struggles with the secret shame of a family that is falling apart. When circumstances bring them all to the local abortion clinic in Pierre, the fates of these three women hailing from starkly different worlds are forever entwined.  
This Was Not the Plan tackles one of the most important issues of our time with humor, compassion, and authenticity. The collision of the lives of Sylvia, Meg, and Caroline reminds us of the dangers of thinking in black and white and the possibility of finding humanity in each other, even where you least expect it.

Show book

Mallory Goes to Therapy -...

Thomas Keech

Kevin Mallory is a Customer Assistance Representative for a cable company. He keeps his customers on hold, his supervisor on the run and his female nemesis on ice, but a new friend just might change his perspective.
Lilly has supported herself since high school with just a little help from her only living relative, her alcoholic older brother. She runs a small non-profit housing agency while McFadden, her supervisor and director of the agency, travels around the country on work -- and also on play.
Lilly decides, based on Mallory's boorish advances, that he is in need of sex addiction therapy. She wants to help him because he has led her to believe, falsely, that he has saved her brother's job. He goes in the wrong door in the church basement and accidentally joins the Healing Hearts Therapy Group instead.
Zach, Lilly's charming, gregarious, self-satisfied boyfriend, outrages her by sharing their private conversations with all their friends and egging them on to put pressure on her to marry him. She meets Selby, a humble policeman, through Mallory, and is immediately attracted to him. They meet at first at the shooting range, where she impresses him with her maturity and spirit. When she finds out McFadden has been embezzling funds, Zack implores her not to report it. Their love life begins to suffer from their disagreement, as well as from her growing attraction to Selby. She takes Selby's advice and tells her boss she must report him, endangering her own career as well as her relationship with Zach.
In an attempt to save Lilly's job, Mallory reverts to his old habit of impersonating an attorney in order to blackmail McFadden.

Show book

The Remarkable Rocket

Oscar Wilde

At a royal wedding celebration, a group of fireworks discuss life, philosophy and politics. One supercilious rocket considers himself to be particularly "remarkable". A witty fable on the subject of vanity, The Remarkable Rocket was first published in The Happy Prince and Other Tales in 1888.

Show book