The Talleyrand Maxim

J. S. Fletcher (1863 - 1935)

John Mallathorpe, a wealthy Yorkshire industrialist and land owner dies in an accident, apparently without making a will. His estate goes to his wife and two children and they live the good life for a number of years. However, an old bookseller, whilst clearing some old books passed on from the Mallathorpe estate, finds a copy of Mallathorpe's will inside one of the books, and unfortunately for the family the will bequeaths the whole estate minus a small endowment for the family, to the city authorities. The bookseller takes the will to the local solicitor to seek advice, but unfortunately dies in the solicitor's office. The clerk on duty sees an opportunity to benefit himself from the knowledge of the existence of the will.
This is a gripping detective story, with many twists and turns, based in Edwardian England.
- Summary by Kevin Green

Genre(s): Detective Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Death brings Opportunity Kevin Green
00:18:58
Play 02 In Trust Kevin Green
00:16:26
Play 03 The Shop-Boy Kevin Green
00:15:54
Play 04 The Fortunate Possessors Kevin Green
00:16:28
Play 05 Point Blank Kevin Green
00:17:37
Play 06 The Unexpected Kevin Green
00:16:30
Play 07 The Supreme Inducement Kevin Green
00:12:04
Play 08 Terms Kevin Green
00:14:09
Play 09 Until Next Spring Kevin Green
00:13:16
Play 10 The Foot-Bridge Kevin Green
00:16:08
Play 11 The Prevalent Atmosphere Kevin Green
00:16:44
Play 12 The Power of Attorney Kevin Green
00:16:34
Play 13 The First Trick Kevin Green
00:13:53
Play 14 Cards on the Table Kevin Green
00:14:38
Play 15 Pratt offers a Hand Kevin Green
00:14:33
Play 16 A Headquarters Conference Kevin Green
00:14:33
Play 17 Advertisement Kevin Green
00:15:25
Play 18 The Confiding Landlord Kevin Green
00:14:17
Play 19 The Eye Witness Kevin Green
00:14:07
Play 20 The Green Man Kevin Green
00:13:09
Play 21 The Direct Charge Kevin Green
00:14:48
Play 22 The Cat's Paw Kevin Green
00:14:08
Play 23 Smooth Face and Anxious Brain Kevin Green
00:11:25
Play 24 The Better Half Kevin Green
00:15:29
Play 25 Dry Sherry Kevin Green
00:12:03
Play 26 The Telephone Message Kevin Green
00:10:02
Play 27 Restored to Energy Kevin Green
00:11:27
Play 28 The Woman in Black Kevin Green
00:21:37