The Four Corners of the World

"The Four Corners of the World" by A. E. W. Mason is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story appears to blend elements of mystery and drama, centering around interpersonal relationships complicated by dark circumstances. The narrative hints at themes of ambition, jealousy, and perhaps even betrayal, as various characters navigate their connections with one another amidst troubling events. The opening of the novel introduces Mr. Twiss, a solicitor, who is concerned about his client Archie Cranfield, who has recently acquired a peculiar reputation for maintaining a solitary lifestyle in a remote house. Following a strange incident involving Captain Brayton, a friend of Cranfield, the plot thickens when Brayton's mysterious death leads to a complex web of relationships and implications. Twiss's unease deepens after he receives a telegram from Cranfield asking for urgent help, prompting him to return to the ominous house. The tension escalates with the discovery of Cranfield’s grim fate and the unclear motivations that surround the characters, setting the stage for a gripping tale filled with suspense and intrigue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alfred Edward Woodley Mason was an English author and Liberal Party Member of Parliament. He is best remembered for his 1902 novel of courage and cowardice in wartime, The Four Feathers, and is also known as the creator of Inspector Hanaud, a French detective who was an early template for Agatha Christie's famous Hercule Poirot.