The Weapons of Mystery

"The Weapons of Mystery" by Joseph Hocking is a late 1800s story that follows Justin Blake, a young writer pulled into a strange mystery after getting invited to Tom Temple's house for Christmas. When Blake gets there, he meets interesting people like the mysterious Herod Voltaire and the lovely Gertrude Forrest, who become important to him. Justin is a single, rich author, but his life changes fast when he gets a letter from Tom. He soon meets Gertrude on a train where he is traveling, and also an odd woman named Miss Staggles. At Temple Hall, he senses a rivalry with Voltaire, who seems interested in Gertrude. This novel is a mix of romance and mystery, with hints of dark themes such as obsession and mind control, as characters fight about love and freedom.