The Sleuth of St. James's Square

"The Sleuth of St. James's Square" by Melville Davisson Post is a captivating mystery set in a time when science and the supernatural collide, centering on the puzzling death of a brilliant scientist named Rodman; Rodman's groundbreaking work with synthetic gemstones may have attracted dangerous attention. An unusual Oriental servant and a mysterious carpet are intertwined with his fate, bringing an eerie presence into his home, which culminates in a chilling footprint on his hearth, leaving readers to wonder if Rodman's intellect can shield him from the dark forces that ultimately lead to his undoing, as ambition mixes with strange mysticism.