Hearts and Masks

"Hearts and Masks" by Harold MacGrath is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Richard Comstalk, a young man impulsively deciding to attend a charity masquerade ball, thrusting him into a series of adventures intertwined with mystery, chance encounters, and romantic intrigue. The narrative examines themes of identity, fate, and the excitement of the unknown as Comstalk stumbles through comic and thrilling situations at the ball. The opening of the novel introduces Richard Comstalk, who, after returning to New York, becomes caught up in the allure of a masquerade dance hosted by the Blankshire Hunt Club. This enchanting event captivates him, and he decides to join, even creating a disguise as a Grey Capuchin monk. As he navigates this new social world, he encounters the beautiful Blue Domino, who sparks his interest and curiosity. However, their light-hearted banter and flirtation are interrupted by the unsettling revelation of a theft occurring during the festivities. This twist propels Comstalk and the Blue Domino into a web of intrigue, setting the stage for a compelling adventure marked by mistaken identities and unforeseen predicaments. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Harold MacGrath was a bestselling and prolific American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. He sometimes completed more than one novel per year for the mass market, covering romance, spies, mystery, and adventure.