The Clue
What is The Clue about?
The Clue (1909) is one of Carolyn Wells's mystery novels featuring the detective Fleming Stone. When a wealthy woman is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the puzzle of who killed her and how becomes an exercise in logical deduction. Wells was known for her fair-play approach to mystery writing, giving readers all the clues they need to solve the puzzle alongside the detective. The novel exemplifies the puzzle-mystery tradition that would come to dominate the genre's Golden Age, with its emphasis on ingenious plotting, closed-circle suspects, and rational detection.
Main themes in The Clue
Detective Fiction
In The Clue, detective fiction provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Puzzle Mystery
Puzzle Mystery emerges as a defining element in The Clue, shaping character development.
Fleming Stone
The Clue thoughtfully explores fleming stone through its central conflicts.
Fair-Play Mystery
The Clue thoughtfully explores fair-play mystery through its central conflicts.
Why The Clue is still relevant today
The Clue represents the American puzzle-mystery tradition at its most enjoyable—a fair-play detective story that challenges readers to solve the crime before the detective does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Clue about?
A detective must solve a wealthy woman's mysterious death using logical deduction and careful examination of clues.
Is The Clue part of a series?
Yes, it features Fleming Stone, the detective in Carolyn Wells's long-running mystery series.
Where can I read The Clue online?
You can read The Clue free on TextStack.