The Mandarin's Fan
The Mandarin's Fan, published in 1904, begins on the terrace of Royabay, a Tudor house built from the stones of a ruined abbey, where its impoverished young owner, Rupert Ainsleigh, and an old soldier of fortune, Major Tidman, discuss a newspaper advertisement offering a reward for a Chinese fan. The fan turns out to be wanted by a mandarin who will go to any lengths to recover it, and its arrival in a quiet seaside town is followed by a murder at a ball, an inquest, a will, an opium den and a prophecy. Fergus Hume, author of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, produced dozens of such novels, and this one shows his taste for exotic machinery and tangled inheritances. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Mandarin's Fan
The Mandarin's Fan by Fergus Hume can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Mandarin's Fan online?
Yes. The Mandarin's Fan opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Mandarin's Fan free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Mandarin's Fan is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Mandarin's Fan in the public domain?
Yes. The Mandarin's Fan by Fergus Hume is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Mandarin's Fan?
About 5 h 06 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Mandarin's Fan?
The Mandarin's Fan by Fergus Hume is filed under "Mystery" in the Vinteuil library.
