The Eight Strokes of the Clock

"The Eight Strokes of the Clock" by Maurice Leblanc is an early 20th-century tale focused on the dashing Prince Rénine and his exciting adventures filled with mystery, love, and questions of right and wrong. The story kicks off with Hortense Daniel, who is thinking about running away with Rossigny, all while dealing with family problems and what society expects of her. But, when she starts plotting her escape, she meets Prince Rénine, and things get even more interesting. After almost being killed, Hortense takes off with Rénine to a creepy place called the Château de Halingre. There, they find skeletons and a secret telescope, uncovering a web of crime and lies that puts Rénine's smarts and Hortense's feelings to the test.