Lord Lister No. 0032: De Blauwe Dood
Lord Lister No. 0032: De Blauwe Dood
A detective-adventure novella written in the early 20th century. It centers on the gentleman-criminal and sleuth Lord Lister (Raffles) as he confronts a dazzling but deadly actress, Evelin Bonn, whose charms ensnare wealthy men—including Lord Turkington—while a mysterious “blue death” lurks behind sudden, convenient heart failures. With his loyal aide Charly Brand, Lister navigates London high society, suspicious wills, and a possible poison plot, all while staying a step ahead of the police. The opening of the story finds Lord Lister back in London, where a beauty-contest winner, Evelin Bonn, inflames Lord Turkington’s passion and sparks a rivalry with the aged Earl of Heresford. When Lister visits Heresford to arrange a duel, the earl collapses and dies moments after replying to Evelin’s letter; Lister quietly pockets the distinctive blue envelope. A visit to Evelin’s home, her anxious search for that same envelope, and a fatal experiment on a fox terrier lead Lister to deduce that the envelope’s gum is laced with a fast-acting poison—the “blue death.” Meanwhile, Evelin juggles suitors, pressing Turkington to will her his fortune and ensnaring a South African magnate, as Lister teams with notary Barrison to witness the legal maneuvers and set a trap for the schemers.
