Fergus Hume’s The Green Mummy is a gripping mystery of a stolen Peruvian mummy, a murdered scientist, and a trail of clues that leads to a shocking revelation. Written by the author of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, this 1908 novel blends crime fiction with the exotic allure of ancient artifacts.
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The Green Mummy
A stolen Peruvian mummy, a murdered scientist, and a web of secrets — Fergus Hume's classic mystery of crime and ancient curses.
| Author | Fergus Hume |
| Published | 1908 |
| Genre | Mystery, crime fiction, adventure |
| Chapters | 27 |
| Setting | Early 20th-century England — a mysterious Peruvian mummy, a country estate, and a web of secrets |
| Legacy | A classic golden age mystery from the author of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab |
🟢 The Story
Professor Braddock, an eccentric archaeologist, acquires a remarkable green mummy — a Peruvian artifact of unusual preservation and mysterious origin. When the mummy is stolen from his collection and a brutal murder follows, the investigation plunges into a world of obsession, greed, and ancient secrets.
Sidney Bolton, a young and capable investigator, takes on the case. As he digs deeper, he uncovers connections between the mummy, the murdered professor, and a cast of suspects with their own reasons for wanting the artifact. From the enigmatic Don Pedro to the watchful Mrs. Bolstreath, everyone seems to have something to hide.
The trail leads through country estates and shadowy laboratories, with each revelation raising new questions. Hume constructs his mystery with the precision of a chess game — red herrings, false leads, and a climax that delivers a satisfying twist.
🎭 Key Characters
Professor Braddock
An obsessive collector of ancient artifacts, Braddock’s passion for the Peruvian mummy sets the entire plot in motion. His scholarly enthusiasm masks a darker history connected to the mummy’s origins, and his fate is the catalyst for the mystery that follows.
Sidney Bolton
The story’s capable investigator, Bolton combines sharp observation with dogged determination. He navigates the complex web of suspects and motives with skill, gradually assembling the pieces of a puzzle that most would abandon.
Mrs. Bolstreath
The landlady who knows more than she lets on, Mrs. Bolstreath is a watchful presence whose observations prove invaluable. Her sharp eye and practical nature make her one of the most memorable figures in the novel.
Don Pedro
A mysterious figure connected to the mummy’s Peruvian origins, Don Pedro brings an international dimension to the mystery. His true identity and motives are central to the story’s resolution.
📖 Literary Significance
The Green Mummy represents Fergus Hume at the height of his powers. Already famous for The Mystery of a Hansom Cab — which became one of the best-selling detective novels of the 19th century — Hume brought a craftsman’s skill to the mystery genre.
The novel is notable for its integration of archaeological detail with crime fiction. The green mummy itself functions as both a plot device and a symbol — of colonial exploitation, scientific obsession, and the way the past can reach into the present with devastating consequences.
Hume’s plotting is meticulous. He plays fair with the reader, planting clues alongside red herrings and ensuring that the solution, when it arrives, feels both surprising and inevitable. The book stands as a fine example of early detective fiction’s golden age.
✨ What Makes the DodaBooks Edition Special
This is the original 1908 text, carefully prepared for modern readers without distractions or clutter.
Zero Distractions
No ads, no license pages, no project boilerplate — just the original novel, clean and uninterrupted.
Smart Typography
Curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis — typeset with care for a premium reading experience.
Chapter Navigation
Full table of contents with back-to-chapter links in every section — jump between all 27 chapters effortlessly.
Cleaned & Polished
All Gutenberg boilerplate stripped, consistent formatting throughout the text.
No DRM
You own your copy — read on any device, anytime, forever.
Instant Download
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the green mummy?
The green mummy is a Peruvian artifact of unusual preservation. In the novel, it serves as both the central plot device and a symbol of obsession — its unusual coloring and mysterious origins draw collectors and criminals alike, setting the entire mystery in motion.
Is The Green Mummy part of a series?
No, The Green Mummy is a standalone novel. However, Fergus Hume is best known for The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, which was a massive bestseller. Both novels share Hume’s gift for intricate plotting and surprising twists.
How long does it take to read?
At 352 pages, most readers finish it in 5-7 hours. The brisk pacing and short chapters make it an engaging read that’s easy to pick up and put down.
Is this based on real artifacts?
While the green mummy in the novel is fictional, Hume draws on real archaeological interest in Peruvian mummies during the early 20th century. The novel captures the era’s fascination with ancient civilizations and the sometimes dangerous consequences of archaeological collecting.
Who would enjoy this book?
Fans of classic mystery and crime fiction will find much to admire. The novel appeals to readers who enjoy puzzle-box plotting, atmospheric settings, and the golden age style of detective fiction.
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🟢 Read the Original Mystery
The Green Mummy is a classic of golden age mystery fiction. The DodaBooks edition preserves the complete original text in a clean, distraction-free format:
- ✅ Complete 27-chapter novel — every word of the 1908 edition
- ✒️ Smart typography — curly quotes, em-dashes, proper ellipsis
- 📜 Full table of contents with chapter navigation
- 🔒 DRM-free — read on any device, anytime
- 📥 Instant download — EPUB + PDF + AZW3 formats