My Strangest Case

"My Strangest Case" by Guy Boothby is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of Singapore and revolves around the adventures of Gideon Hayle, a mysterious and resourceful man whose past encounters and schemes are gradually revealed. The opening chapters hint at a treasure hunt intertwined with intrigue and deception. The beginning of the book introduces us to Singapore, characterized by its vibrant mixture of cultures and the unusual Hotel of the Three Desires, where Hayle finds himself entangled with a group of dubious characters. As Hayle reflects on his situation and prepares for an impending meeting with associates Kitwater and Codd, the tension builds, indicating that their arrival is crucial to the story’s unfolding. Hayle’s character is portrayed as shrewd yet wary, setting the stage for the twists to come as the narrative explores themes of adventure, treasure hunting, and the complexities of human nature amidst deceit and adventure. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Guy Newell Boothby was a prolific Australian novelist and writer, noted for sensational fiction in variety magazines around the end of the nineteenth century. He lived mainly in England. He is best known for such works as the Dr Nikola series, about an occultist criminal mastermind who is a Victorian forerunner to Fu Manchu, and Pharos, the Egyptian, a tale of Gothic Egypt, mummies' curses and supernatural revenge. Rudyard Kipling was his friend and mentor, and his books were remembered with affection by George Orwell.