Dans le brouillard épais de Londres, un homme sans visage s'apprête à commettre l'irréparable.Sandy Kinloch, ancien étudiant en médecine brisé par la guerre et désormais sans ressources, erre dans les rues froides d'Ealing. Alors qu'il cherche l'aide d'un vieil ami, le destin place sur sa route un inconnu au manteau de fourrure. Pour cinq livres, Kinloch accepte une mission étrange : servir de témoin silencieux dans une demeure isolée. Mais dans l'obscurité d'un cabinet de travail, le simple service tourne au cauchemar. Un cri, une lutte acharnée, et un cadavre laissé derrière soi.Propulsé malgré lui au coeur d'une affaire criminelle qui défie la raison, Kinloch devient l'homme à abattre. Témoin gênant parce qu'aveugle, il est la proie d'un assassin méthodique qui a tout prévu, sauf cette rencontre fortuite. Entre les mains de l'inspecteur Snargrove et du perspicace Mac-Nab, l'enquête s'emballe. Du coeur de la métropole aux falaises escarpées du Kent, une traque haletante s'engage pour démasquer celui qui se croit protégé par les ténèbres.Dans ce classique du roman policier, John Ferguson tisse une intrigue magistrale où chaque indice est une énigme et chaque ombre une menace. Un huis clos psychologique et une course contre la montre qui vous hanteront jusqu'à la dernière page.À PROPOS DE L'AUTEURPrêtre anglican et écrivain écossais, John Ferguson a mené une double carrière d'ecclésiastique et d'auteur de romans policiers. Après avoir été employé des chemins de fer, il est ordonné prêtre et exerce son ministère dans diverses régions d'Écosse et d'Angleterre.À partir de la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale, il débute une carrière littéraire et publie une dizaine de romans policiers, dont six mettent en scène son personnage récurrent, le détective Francis McNab. Ses enquêtes sont racontées par son ami, le journaliste Chance.Ayant également écrit sous le pseudonyme de Frederick Watson, il a su concilier sa vocation religieuse avec son talent pour le roman à énigmes.

Berlin, 1930. Quand un mystérieux portefeuille tombe entre les mains du Dr Abercromby, sa vie bascule dans un tourbillon d’espionnage et de danger. Un thriller haletant où chaque page renforce l’étau de La menace.

When the First World War looms over Europe in 1914, young Scottish medical student Hugh Abercromby finds himself entangled in danger after a dying stranger thrusts a cryptic document into his hands. What seems a chance encounter quickly reveals itself as the opening move in a dangerous German plot to invade England. From Berlin to Hamburg, across Scotland, and finally to the quiet cliffs near Dover, Hugh is relentlessly pursued by enemy agents. Betrayals, shadowy figures, and impersonations await him at every turn. Assisted by Margarita Thompson, a courageous young musician, he must decipher codes, evade assassins, and unravel conspiracies before time runs out. Ferguson's novel blends the urgency of wartime espionage with the sweeping landscapes and moral tension characteristic of Golden Age thrillers. Stealthy Terror is a fast-paced adventure that tests loyalty, courage, and wits-perfect for anyone who loves spy stories, chase sequences, and the thrill of being hunted.

This illustrated sgathers six of John Alexander Ferguson's finest detective novels-from moody psychological mysteries to sharp London whodunits-showcasing why Ferguson remains a notable voice of the Golden Age. Featuring The Man in the Dark, Death of Mr Dodsley, The Dark Geraldine, plus three others, this collection invites readers into shadowy corridors, remote Scottish moors and bookshops fraught with secrets. In The Man in the Dark, amateur detective Francis MacNab investigates a sinister death on a Highland estate, where whispers of superstition and spectral figures blur the lines between the natural and the uncanny. The Dark Geraldine similarly blends atmospheric tension, introducing a cryptic object and a haunting mystery that unsettles the quiet village of Gart. Both stories emphasize setting-each stone cottage, each moorland wind, becomes a character in its own right. By contrast, Death of Mr Dodsley moves the action to London. The victim is a respected second-hand bookseller, found murdered among his leaning shelves and dusty tomes. Inspector Wilkins must sift through literary rivalries, personal grudges, and the hidden lives of bibliophiles to uncover a killer in a milieu where everyone has something to hide. Throughout all six novels included here, Ferguson's strengths are consistent: precise plotting, strong sense of place, and carefully drawn characters who feel human and flawed. Whether the danger is creeping through foggy hillsides (Night in Glengyle), or hidden among the stacks of a bookshop (Death of Mr Dodsley), each mystery holds its own pace and twist. Contents: The Man in the Dark Death of Mr Dodsley The Dark Geraldine Night in Glengyle The Secret Road Stealthy Terror

Alec Maitland, recently returned from abroad and down on his luck in London, finds himself drawn into intrigue when an old acquaintance, Charles Biddulph - a high-ranking government official - offers him a covert assignment. Tasked with investigating strange and unsettling occurrences threatening a British Crown colony in Africa, Maitland accepts-but soon discovers that the work is far more dangerous and complex than he expected. Living modestly over a Soho tobacco shop and eking out a living selling photographic enlargements, Maitland must navigate deception, secrets, and betrayal. His journey takes him from the shadows of London to the remote Scottish grouse moors, where the landscape is as wild and treacherous as the human motives he seeks to unravel. Filled with hair-breadth escapes, hidden identities, and high-stakes intrigue in government and colonial administration, Night in Glengyle blends thriller energy with detective craft. Ferguson uses his vivid sense of setting - especially the open air and rugged Scottish terrain - to heighten the tension and bring depth to the novel's atmospherics. As the plot moves toward revelation, Maitland must contend with both external threats and internal doubts: Can he trust those who recruited him? And is the mission he undertook one of justice - or one of manipulation? The climax brings an intelligent surprise that challenges both the protagonist and the reader. Perfect for lovers of Golden Age thrillers, espionage-tinged mysteries, and evocative settings, Night in Glengyle offers suspense, landscape, and intrigue in equal portion.

Set in 1920s colonial India, The Secret Road by John Ferguson is a gripping tale of espionage, danger, and high-stakes intrigue. John Neville of the Indian Secret Service is sent to steal the legendary Bumali diamond-a symbol of rebellion that could ignite an uprising against British rule. As Neville infiltrates the Rajah's domain, he faces betrayal, ancient loyalties, and deadly pursuit. Blending fast-paced action with moral complexity, Ferguson explores the tensions of empire, identity, and power. The Secret Road is a lost classic of colonial thriller fiction-rich in atmosphere, suspense, and historical insight.

Set in the remote village of Gart, hidden in the folds of the West Perthshire hills, The Dark Geraldine is a "Golden Age" mystery-thriller, rich in atmosphere, intrigue, and unexpected peril. The story begins with two suspicious deaths: one accidental and one apparently suicide. The first vicitm is a respected villager in Gart, and the second is his employer-Robert Lawson-whose behavior leading up to his death has been increasingly strange and troubling. Then the plot thickens when Peter Graham, a local attorney, receives an anonymous-and cryptic-letter demanding that he deliver something called "The Dark Geraldine" at a specific time and place. Bewildered, Peter becomes convinced that the previous deaths were not random events. Someone is seeking "The Dark Geraldine," and is willing to go to extreme lengths to obtain it. As Graham investigates, he finds himself drawn into a web of secrets, half-revealed identities, and hidden motivations. With each revelation, the danger escalates-someone in Gart knows more than they are saying; trust is a luxury no one can afford....

In the heart of London's literary world, a brutal murder shatters the quiet charm of Charing Cross Road. Mr. Richard Dodsley, a well-known second-hand bookseller, is found dead in his shop-shot in cold blood amidst the dusty shelves and rare first editions. The scene is baffling: no sign of forced entry, no apparent motive, and a clientele made up of respectable writers, collectors, and publishers. Enter Inspector Wilkins of Scotland Yard, a thoughtful and methodical detective determined to untangle a mystery where nearly everyone has something to hide. As he delves into the victim's relationships, rivalries, and hidden dealings, he uncovers a world of literary ambition, jealousy, and long-buried secrets. Is the motive professional, personal, or something even darker? With its rich atmosphere, clever plotting, and affectionate nods to the book trade, Death of Mr. Dodsley is a classic Golden Age whodunit that combines intellectual charm with suspenseful storytelling. Written by John Ferguson, a Scottish clergyman and occasional novelist, the book is both an engaging mystery and a tribute to the literary life of interwar Britain. Now rediscovered and reissued by the British Library Crime Classics series, this forgotten gem offers fans of traditional detective fiction a delightful and intelligent mystery-full of wit, character, and satisfying surprises.

A sinister shadow looms over the quiet Scottish countryside in this eerie and intelligent Golden Age mystery by John Ferguson, author of Death of Mr. Dodsley. When a reclusive and wealthy landowner is found murdered in his remote Highland estate, the case seems to be more than just a simple crime of greed or revenge. The local authorities are baffled-not just by the killing, but by the strange, almost spectral figure reportedly seen wandering the grounds at night. Rumors swirl: Who is the mysterious "man in the dark"? A ghost? A madman? Or someone with a very human motive? Called in to assist with the case is Francis MacNab, Ferguson's cerebral and quietly brilliant amateur sleuth. MacNab is a man of subtle intellect and unshakeable logic, whose methods recall Sherlock Holmes-but with a distinctly Scottish sensibility. As he delves deeper into the murder, he must untangle a web of deceit, old grudges, and hidden identities, all while navigating the secrets of a family unwilling to tell the whole truth. With its moody atmosphere, layered characters, and satisfying twists, The Man in the Dark blends psychological tension with classic detective storytelling. John Ferguson, a clergyman-turned-author, brings a thoughtful and often philosophical tone to the traditional murder mystery. A must-read for fans of classic crime fiction, especially those who enjoy a darker, more introspective take on the genre.

John Ferguson (1871-1952) "Sur les quais, le brouillard était bien plus dense que dans les rues du Strand. Kinloch s'étonna qu'il y eût une si grande différence entre deux endroits très voisins, mais c'était un fait. L'odeur sulfureuse était beaucoup plus forte, et il s'y ajoutait une âcreté qui devait venir du fleuve et piquait la langue. Mais, d'autre part, la marche était plus facile. Dans les rues, le flot pressé des passants le heurtait sans cesse. Sans doute, quelques-uns évitaient les chocs trop brutaux, mais la plupart jouaient des coudes sans se soucier, de personne, et, dans l'état où se trouvait Kinloch, cette perpétuelle mêlée devenait un martyre. Parvenu sur les quais, il respira. Sa démarche était encore lente et incertaine, mais il avait du moins de l'espace libre autour de lui, car on se serait cru dès lors dans la rue silencieuse et déserte d'un village d'Écosse, un dimanche après-midi. Le brouillard avait d'étranges effets : il amplifiait certains sons et en étouffait d'autres. La toux ou l'éternuement d'un des rares passants s'entendait de loin, le roulement d'un train traversant le pont retentissait comme un tonnerre, mais la grande horloge de Big-Ben, toute voisine cependant, sonna sept heures comme dans une atmosphère raréfiée par l'altitude, et d'un timbre assourdi. À l'entrée de Villiers Street, Kinloch retrouva la cohue des piétons affairés, mais il ne risquait plus de manquer l'embouchure du Métro. Il n'avait qu'à se laisser porter par le flot innombrable de tous ceux qui se hâtaient de rentrer dans leur home de banlieue." Dans l'ombre, la vérité a le son du silence et l'odeur du mystère. Sandy Kinloch, vétéran de guerre devenu aveugle, est peut-être le seul à "voir" ce que les autres manquent. Plongez dans une enquête où l'obscurité est un atout, et la lumière, un mensonge.