The Seat of the Scornful: A Devon Mystery

Justice Horace Ireton is known for his merciless rulings and dedication to meting out strict, impartial justice. He attempts to bribe his daughter's lover Morrell to leave her alone, but when Morrell is shot dead, Dr. Gideon Fell is summoned to help with the investigation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 10 June 2022
Publisher: British Library Publishing

Justice Horace Ireton, renowned for his unwavering commitment to delivering strict and impartial justice throughout his long career in the courts, finds himself taking a well-deserved break from his duties after a strenuous session of assizes. Retreating to his seaside bungalow in Devon, Ireton shifts his focus towards his family, particularly his daughter's lover, Morrell. Driven by a desire to protect his daughter's future and ensure her marriage to the respectable clerk, Fred Barlow, Ireton attempts to bribe Morrell to leave her alone. However, something seems to have gone awry, as the police are summoned to Ireton's residence to discover Morrell shot dead and the judge still holding a pistol. The question arises: could the esteemed lawman have been bold enough to commit such a murder?

To unravel the deceptively simple yet increasingly complex mystery, Dr. Gideon Fell, an old friend of Ireton's, is summoned to assist in the investigation. As Fell delves deeper into the case, he encounters a plethora of strange items that serve as physical evidence. These artifacts, which include a mysterious key, a bloodstained letter, and a peculiar photograph, add to the layers of intrigue and suspicion surrounding the murder.

As the investigation progresses, Ireton's past begins to come under scrutiny, revealing hidden secrets and betrayals that could have played a role in Morrell's demise. Fell, with his keen analytical skills and unwavering determination, pieces together the puzzle, gradually unmasking the true culprit behind the murder.

In a climactic confrontation, Ireton confronts the truth and is forced to face the consequences of his actions. The novel's ending is a testament to the power of justice and the importance of upholding the law, even in the face of personal conflicts and moral dilemmas.

Justice Horace Ireton's long career in the courts is marked by his reputation for merciless rulings and his unwavering dedication to meting out strict, impartial justice. However, his attempt to protect his daughter's future takes a dark turn when he attempts to bribe her lover, Morrell, to leave her alone. When Morrell is found shot dead and the judge still holding a pistol, the police are summoned to investigate. Dr. Gideon Fell, an old friend of Ireton's, is called in to assist with the investigation, which quickly becomes complex and mysterious.

As Fell delves deeper into the case, he encounters a plethora of strange items that serve as physical evidence. These artifacts, including a mysterious key, a bloodstained letter, and a peculiar photograph, add to the layers of intrigue and suspicion surrounding the murder. Ireton's past begins to come under scrutiny, revealing hidden secrets and betrayals that could have played a role in Morrell's demise.

Fell, with his keen analytical skills and unwavering determination, pieces together the puzzle, gradually unmasking the true culprit behind the murder. In a climactic confrontation, Ireton confronts the truth and is forced to face the consequences of his actions. The novel's ending is a testament to the power of justice and the importance of upholding the law, even in the face of personal conflicts and moral dilemmas.

Dimension: 90 x 130 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780712354806