The Blotting Book
1908
The Blotting Book is a 1908 mystery novel by E. F. Benson, set in Brighton and the South Downs. The story revolves around Mrs. Assheton, a meticulous host, and her son Morris, whose birthday dinner reveals family tensions and social intrigue. As rumors about Morris threaten his relationship with Madge Templeton, a murder mystery unfolds, marked by a bludgeon found near the crime scene. This work is notable for being one of Benson's few forays into detective fiction and is recognized as a precursor to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
