The Devil's Paw

Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-194Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 363K words
Chapters: 37

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Devil's Paw by E. Phillips OppenheimAuthor: Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-1946,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Aug 1, 2001

Editor's review

The Devil's Paw is a suspense-adventure novel by the British author E. Phillips Oppenheim, falling within the international intrigue and political thriller genres he excelled in. The novel revolves around a key object called the "Devil's Paw," with a plot involving secret organizations, power struggles, and layer upon layer of reversals in characters' identities; the pace is tight and the suspense densely constructed, reflecting Oppenheim's consistent skill in popular storytelling. As a free eBook from Project Gutenberg, the book is easily accessible and serves as a good sample for understanding early twentieth-century British popular thrillers. The novel's imaginings of international tensions and conspiratorial organizations also reflect the political anxieties and popular reading tastes of that era. It should be noted that the work carries obvious period trappings and narrative conventions, and some of its premises may seem somewhat dated to today's readers. It is best read with an appreciation for the development of genre fiction, focusing on its suspense plotting and pacing.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy classic suspense and spy-adventure stories
Those interested in early twentieth-century British popular thrillers
Literature enthusiasts who want to study the narrative conventions of genre fiction
Readers looking for free access to public-domain English originals

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer modern, fast-paced thrillers with frequent twists
Readers sensitive to the flat, stereotyped characterization in early works
Readers seeking serious historical analysis or political science content

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters to clarify the characters' identities and the core mystery before pressing on
Sort out the relationships among the various factions as you read to avoid confusing the characters
Pay attention to how the author plants foreshadowing and creates reversals, taking notes as a genre-fiction reader
If the language proves difficult, read a Chinese translation first to grasp the plot, then return to the original

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book the same work as the horror short story of the same title?

No. This book is a full-length suspense-adventure novel by Oppenheim, unrelated to the commonly seen horror short story of the same name. Readers should check the author and genre when purchasing or searching to avoid confusion.

What kind of core suspense does the story involve?

The book revolves around a key object called the "Devil's Paw" and belongs to the suspense-adventure category of international intrigue and identity reversals, focusing on the struggle among various factions and the gradual revelation of secrets rather than supernatural horror.

Can readers with no experience of suspense novels follow it?

Yes. This is a popular genre novel with relatively clear narrative threads, and first-time readers can follow the main storyline. Beginners need not worry about grasping every character relationship at first; it is enough to grasp the core suspense and main conflicts.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-194 Author

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Edward Phillips Oppenheim, 1866–194) was a writer known for mystery and espionage fiction. Public information about him is limited, and the biographical details in our records are incomplete. The existing catalogue shows that he was a prolific author, with 61 of his works held on this site, including The Great Impersonation, The Double Traitor, The Governors, The Lost Ambassador, The Yellow House, and Stolen Idols. These works generally centre on disguise and false identity, political intrigue, detective pursuit, and adventure; their plots are tightly paced and full of suspense, and he was skilled at advancing the narrative through complex relationships among characters. His works are often classified under inspirational growth, reflecting readers' interest in the choices and turning points of fate faced by his characters.