Classic Book Reader
Cover of The Angel of Terror

The Angel of Terror

by Edgar Wallace (1875–1932)

  • Free to read
  • 4 hours to read
  • 41 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"The Angel of Terror" by Edgar Wallace is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around James Meredith, a man convicted of murder against a backdrop of jealousy and intrigue, and the implications of his conviction on those around him, including his fiancée, Jean Briggerland. As the narrative unfolds, themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice come to the forefront. At the start of the book, we are introduced to the tense atmosphere of a courtroom where James Meredith is sentenced for the murder of Ferdinand Bulford, an alleged crime driven by jealousy over his engagement to Jean Briggerland. The court's decision and the complicated dynamics between the characters, including the prominent lawyers and witnesses present, establish an air of mystery surrounding the true events. Following the trial, we see Lydia Beale, an artist burdened by debt, who becomes entwined in the lives of these characters, particularly as plans are set in motion that involve a marriage of convenience to save Meredith from his harsh fate. The opening portion sets the stage for a gripping tale of conspiracy and unexpected alliances as Lydia's choices will ultimately impact her life and the lives of those around her.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Detective and mystery stories

Read the opening

Chapter I

The hush of the court, which had been broken when the foreman of the jury returned their verdict, was intensified as the Judge, with a quick glance over his pince-nez at the tall prisoner, marshalled his papers with the precision and method which old men display in tense moments such as these. He gathered them together, white paper and blue and buff and stacked them in a neat heap on a tiny ledge to the left of his desk. Then he took his pen and wrote a few words on a printed paper before him.

Another breathless pause and he groped beneath the desk and brought out a small square of black silk and carefully laid it over his white wig. Then he spoke:

"James Meredith, you have been convicted after a long and patient trial of the awful crime of wilful murder. With the verdict of the jury I am in complete agreement. There is little doubt, after hearing the evidence of the unfortunate lady to whom you were engaged, and whose evidence you attempted in the most brutal manner to refute, that, instigated by your jealousy, you shot Ferdinand Bulford. The evidence of Miss Briggerland that you had threatened this poor young man, and that you left her presence in a temper, is unshaken. By a terrible coincidence, Mr. Bulford was in the street outside your fiancée's door when you left, and maddened by your insane jealousy, you shot him dead.

Keep reading The Angel of Terror →

Contents

Show all 41 chapters
  1. Chapter I
  2. Chapter II
  3. Chapter III
  4. Chapter IV
  5. Chapter V
  6. Chapter VI
  7. Chapter VII
  8. Chapter VIII
  9. Chapter IX
  10. Chapter X
  11. Chapter XI
  12. Chapter XII
  13. Chapter XIII
  14. Chapter XIV
  15. Chapter XV
  16. Chapter XVI
  17. Chapter XVII
  18. Chapter XVIII
  19. Chapter XIX
  20. Chapter XX
  21. Chapter XXI
  22. Chapter XXII
  23. Chapter XXIII
  24. Chapter XXIV
  25. Chapter XXV
  26. Chapter XXVI
  27. Chapter XXVII
  28. Chapter XXVIII
  29. Chapter XXIX
  30. Chapter XXX
  31. Chapter XXXI
  32. Chapter XXXII
  33. Chapter XXXIII
  34. Chapter XXXIV
  35. Chapter XXXV
  36. Chapter XXXVI
  37. Chapter XXXVII
  38. Chapter XXXVIII
  39. Chapter XXXIX
  40. Chapter XL
  41. Chapter XLI

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of The Angel of Terror by Edgar Wallace comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #21530, released 2007-05-19. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by Edgar Wallace