The Albert Gate Mystery

The Albert Gate Mystery
Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister Detective

By

3.75
(8 Reviews)
The Albert Gate Mystery by Louis Tracy

Published:

1904

Pages:

239

Downloads:

12,833

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The Albert Gate Mystery
Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister Detective

By

3.75
(8 Reviews)
In an Albert Gate mansion a number of Turkish gentlemen had taken up their residence for the purpose of having some fifty-odd wonderful diamonds belonging to the sultan cut and polished. They had enlisted the protection of the English Government, and the police equipment and caution exercised in regard to the safety of the Turks and the jewels were such that the country was electrified when one morning four Turks were found dead in their rooms, the diamonds were missing, and the particular Assistant Secretary in the Foreign Office [...] is found to have mysteriously disappeared. --New York Times

Book Excerpt

most remarkable affair I have ever been engaged in. That pleases me. Pheasant-shooting is a serious business, governed by the calendar and arranged by the head-keeper."

An electric bell summoned Smith. The barrister handed him the telegram and a sovereign.

"Read that message," he said. "Ponder over it. Send it, and give the change of the sovereign to Mrs. Smith's brother, with my compliments and regrets."

CHAPTER II

MEHEMET ALI'S NOTE

Then he turned to Lord Fairholme.

"Just one question," he said, "before I send you off to bed. No, you must not protest. I want you to meet me here this evening at seven, with your brain clear and your nerves restored by a good, sound sleep. We will dine, here or elsewhere, and act subsequently. But at this moment I want to know the name of the person most readily accessible who can tell me all about Mr. Talbot's connection with the Sultan's agent."

"His sister, undoubt

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3.75
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This is the second book by the author I've read, the first one being the latest one in Manybooks' catalogue, "A Mysterious Disappearance", while this one is the earliest one.
It isn't as fun and as fast-paced as the other one and the main character seems a bit too dull in comparison.
On the contrary, the plot consists of only one argumental line, not overly interesting, and the story advances slowly, sometimes there are good unforseen twists and turns, but mostly the action just offers an almost mechanical succession of small complications and their solutions.
The author is obviously a fan of Émile Gaboriau, the creator of the first deductionist detective, LeCocq, who was the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes.
The author mentions frequently Gaboriau and LeCocq, and it seems that he also tries to imitate the French writer's narrative style, too XIX century for my taste, but he lacks Gaboriau's passion that would let him fill pages with more drama than action.
As a result, the story is too short and the novel too lengthy.
Foreign emissaries murdered, priceless diamonds stolen, and a high ranking member of the British Foreign Office has gone missing. What does it all mean? Reginald Brett, barrister and detective, is on the case. I liked it - lots of action and very entertaining. Things unravel a bit during a goofy ending, so 4 stars instead of 5.
Reggie Brett, barrister turned detective, is on the job again in this thoroughly excellent mystery/thriller. This time he's on the trail of a murderous group of diamond thieves and a missing Foreign Office secretary, which takes him from London to Paris, Marseilles and Palermo. I liked this one even more than the first Brett book, "The Stowmarket Mystery." The criminals are clever, the stakes are high and the action rapid and exciting.
(1904) Mystery / Detective


R: * * * *


Plot bullets

Fifty one diamonds, from a foreign Prince's collection, are stolen at Albert Gate.
Several men are killed.
The man responsible for bringing the jewels to England to be cut, is also missing.
Reginald Brett, Barrister and notable detective, is put on the case.
There are at least two mysteries. Where are the jewels and was the missing man, a victim or participant in the crime?
It's off to Europe to find the solution.

3
In this classic mystery amateur detective Brett tries to solve the mystery of the murder of 4 Turks and the theft of priceless diamonds belonging to the sultan of Turkey. In his quest to find the answers he is helped by some friends. Before he finds out the truth there are a lot of chases, disguises, and journeys through the UK, France and Sicily. On his journeys he encounters master-criminals, a beautiful French adventuress and lots of small criminals.

This book has a fast pace and is nice read. It is not a great, but it\'s a fun, lighthearted read. There are some non-Politically Correct remarks in this book about Turkish, French, English and Scottish people.
If you are looking for some light entertainment, this book might fill the bill. This is a fast moving, action packed adventure. It features heroic, handsome, brilliant, fearless smarty-pants barrister-amateur detective Simon Brett. (Tracy assures us that Brett is the greatest amateur detective of his generation.) The book moves along at a quick pace as Brett and his friends chase diamond thieves in Europe. This is not a great mystery, or a great book in any sense, but it is fun. And, by the end of the book I found I kind of liked Simon Brett - in spite of myself.
I like Reginald Brett. I also liked the Stowmarket Mystery in which he showed off his Sherlockian powers. I wish that there were more Brett books available. This one is definitely worth reading. It keeps you turning the pages and never bores! Enjoy.