The Trail of the Serpent
In the rain-soaked manufacturing town of Slopperton, a young man named Richard Marwood comes home to his uncle and is accused of murdering him; the real killer, a schoolmaster's assistant called Jabez North, is a patient and plausible villain who will reinvent himself more than once. On Richard's side is a mute detective, Peters, who communicates by finger alphabet and never stops working. Mary Elizabeth Braddon wrote the novel in 1860 at the age of twenty-four, originally as Three Times Dead, and revised it under this title in 1861. It is among the earliest British detective novels and already shows the pace and nerve that made Lady Audley's Secret a sensation a year later. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter 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 Trail of the Serpent
The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon 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 Trail of the Serpent online?
Yes. The Trail of the Serpent 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 Trail of the Serpent free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Trail of the Serpent 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 Trail of the Serpent in the public domain?
Yes. The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon 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 Trail of the Serpent?
About 9 h 47 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 Trail of the Serpent?
The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon is filed under "Mystery" in the Vinteuil library.
