The House of the Missing

A novel written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around the desperate search for the protagonist's younger sister, Margaret, who vanishes mysteriously during a trip to New York City. Central to the narrative is the character of Jack Clayton, who is determined to uncover the truth behind his sister’s disappearance, leading him into a web of intrigue, danger, and unexpected alliances. The opening of the novel introduces Jack as he reflects on his two months of fruitless searching for Margaret, who had gone missing after a shopping trip. We learn about Margaret's charming personality and the close bond between the siblings. Jack recounts the details of her last known whereabouts, filled with anxiety and despair, as he navigates his emotions and the dark streets of New York. It becomes apparent that he will stop at nothing to find her, even as he grapples with the perplexing circumstances surrounding her case and the various characters he encounters along the way, including a clever young man named Larry who becomes his unexpected ally in the search.