The amateur crime by Anthony Berkeley

"The Amateur Crime" by Anthony Berkeley is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Mr. Matthew Priestley, a rather unadventurous man who is drawn into a convoluted situation involving a young woman named Miss Spettigue, who seeks his help for an illegal burglary. This is a comedic murder mystery that hints at themes of identity and deception interwoven with the complexities of human relationships. The opening portion of the book sets up Priestley's life as a rather dull and routine bachelor, contrasted by the lively character of his friend who encourages him to seek adventures. After a series of humorous interactions about his mundane existence, the narrative shifts as the character of Miss Spettigue enters, throwing Priestley into a chaotic yet thrilling scenario. He unwittingly finds himself posing as a burglar, embarking on a caper that devolves into a series of misunderstandings. The plot thickens dramatically when what was supposed to be a harmless endeavor turns deadly, revealing twists and layers of deception. This opening establishes a mix of light-hearted comedy and impending danger, inviting readers to follow along as Mr. Priestley stumbles down a path he least expected. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Berkeley, Anthony, 1893-1971
Title The amateur crime
Original Publication Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1928.
Credits Brian Raiter
Reading Level Reading ease score: 75.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Humorous stories
Subject Detective and mystery stories
Category Text
eBook-No. 72675
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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