The Solitary Farm

"The Solitary Farm" by Fergus Hume is a suspenseful story set in the early 1900s, telling the tale of retired Captain Huxham, his daughter, and her two contrasting suitors. The novel centers on Bella Huxham, who finds herself caught between the persistent preacher Silas Pence and the enigmatic journalist Cyril Lister, sparking conflict as her father vehemently opposes her affection for Lister. Dark secrets and volatile emotions escalate when Captain Huxham, in a fit of anger and disapproval, makes a shocking proposal to Silas Pence concerning Lister, laying the groundwork for jealousy, hidden motivations, and an atmosphere of intrigue. This all abruptly shifts when the captain turns up murdered, throwing the characters into a world of suspicion and betrayal where love and hidden secrets are intertwined.