The Door with Seven Locks
📘 About This Book
Dick Martin is leaving Scotland Yard. His final job, investigating a stolen book, takes him to Gallows Cottage. Arriving home, Martin finds Lew Pheeney being followed by a man for whom he worked. 'Doing what?' demands Martin. Lew confesses. 'I was trying to open a dead man's tomb!' The telephone rings.
📖 Summary
Edgar Wallace presents a thrilling mystery in The Door with Seven Locks, blending crime investigation with suspenseful storytelling. The narrative follows Dick Martin as he prepares to leave Scotland Yard. However, his final assignment before his departure involves looking into a stolen book, which unexpectedly pulls him into a web of dark secrets and chilling events centering around Gallows Cottage. Upon arriving home, Martin encounters Lew Pheeney, who is being pursued by an employer for whom he recently did some illicit work. When Martin demands to know what Lew was doing, Lew confesses a shocking detail: he was attempting to open a dead man's tomb. Before Martin can fully process this bizarre revelation, the telephone rings, injecting an immediate sense of urgency and danger into the unfolding scenario. Throughout the book, readers are taken on a tense journey as Martin tries to unravel the mystery behind the stolen book, the ominous tomb, and the shadowy forces manipulating events from the background. Wallace crafts a fast-paced narrative filled with classic detective tropes, atmospheric settings, and unexpected turns that keep the suspense high from beginning to end. The concise length of the novel ensures that the plot moves briskly, focusing heavily on the immediate dangers faced by the characters and the relentless pursuit of truth by a seasoned investigator on the verge of retirement. As the mystery deepens, the connection between the stolen property and the crypt becomes increasingly complex, challenging Martin's detective skills one last time before he hangs up his hat at Scotland Yard. This 2008 edition captures the timeless appeal of early twentieth-century crime fiction, offering modern readers a glimpse into a world of clandestine operations, eerie locations, and high stakes. The interplay between Martin, the desperate Lew Pheeney, and the unseen pursuers creates a gripping atmosphere that defines the best of classic mystery writing. Fans of traditional detective stories will find plenty to appreciate in the way clues are introduced and the mounting tension that characterizes Martin's final official case.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Fast-paced and engaging plot
Classic atmospheric mystery setting
Intriguing premise involving a tomb and a stolen book
Strong sense of suspense from the opening chapters
⚠️ Cons
Shorter page count may leave some readers wanting more depth
Relies on classic tropes that may feel familiar to genre veterans
❓ FAQ
Who is the main protagonist of the book? +
The main protagonist is Dick Martin, a Scotland Yard investigator.
What is Dick Martin's professional situation at the start? +
He is in the process of leaving Scotland Yard.
What triggers the core mystery of the story? +
An investigation into a stolen book.
Where does Dick Martin's final job take him? +
His investigation takes him to Gallows Cottage.
What shocking confession does Lew Pheeney make? +
Lew confesses that he was trying to open a dead man's tomb.
