The Prisoner in the Opal

The Prisoner in the Opal is a 1928 detective novel by A.E.W. Mason, featuring the return of Inspector Hanaud. Set among the vineyards of Bordeaux, the story centers on Julius Ricardo, a wine expert who becomes entangled in a mysterious situation at Chateau Suvlac. The narrative begins when Joyce Whipple, a young American woman, asks Ricardo to watch over her friend Diana Tasborough, the owner of a French wine estate. The request stems from concerning letters Diana has written, though their exact nature remains unclear. Upon arriving at Chateau Suvlac, Ricardo encounters a complex web of relationships and tensions between the estate's inhabitants and visitors. The disappearance of two women sets events in motion, pulling Ricardo into an investigation that extends beyond the physical realm. This third installment in Mason's Inspector Hanaud series stands apart through its incorporation of supernatural elements, exploring the intersection between detective work and the occult. The novel examines themes of perception versus reality within the atmospheric setting of French wine country.

Readers found this Inspector Hanaud mystery slower-paced than Mason's other detective novels, with more focus on atmosphere than puzzle-solving. The supernatural and occult elements drew mixed responses. Readers appreciated: - Vivid descriptions of the French countryside - The eerie, gothic mood - Well-developed supporting characters - The unique blend of detective and supernatural genres Common criticisms: - Takes too long to reach the central mystery - Less satisfying resolution compared to other Hanaud books - Some found the supernatural aspects distracted from the core detective story Review scores: Goodreads: 3.6/5 from 17 ratings LibraryThing: 3.3/5 from 9 ratings "The atmosphere is the real star here rather than the mystery," noted one Goodreads reviewer. A LibraryThing reader commented that it "reads more like a gothic novel than a detective story." Several reviews mentioned preferring Mason's At the Villa Rose for a more traditional mystery.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins A detective story set in an English country house combines elements of the supernatural with rational investigation while exploring the theft of a cursed Indian diamond.

Crooked House by Agatha Christie A murder investigation at a family estate reveals complex relationships and hidden motives among residents in a case that blends psychology with classic detection methods.

The Hollow Man by John Dickson Carr A locked-room mystery incorporates supernatural undertones while presenting a seemingly impossible crime that tests the boundaries between reality and illusion.

The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne An amateur detective investigates a country house murder with methodical precision against the backdrop of a close-knit community with hidden secrets.

Death of an Expert Witness by P. D. James A murder at a forensic laboratory combines scientific investigation with exploration of interpersonal relationships in an isolated professional community.

🍷 The Bordeaux wine region, where the novel is set, has been producing wine since the 8th century and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007. 📚 Author A.E.W. Mason was also a politician, serving as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1906 to 1910. 🔍 Inspector Hanaud, the detective featured in this novel, was one of the first fictional French detectives in English literature and influenced Agatha Christie's creation of Hercule Poirot. 🌟 The book was published in 1928 during the "Golden Age" of detective fiction, a period between World Wars I and II when mystery novels reached peak popularity. 🎭 Before becoming a novelist, Mason was a successful actor and occasionally performed with the Ben Greet Shakespeare Company, which likely influenced his skill in creating dramatic tension in his writings.