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A Prince of Sinners
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Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1903
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About the author
E. Phillips Oppenheim
634 books80 followersEdward Phillips Oppenheim was an English novelist, primarily known for his suspense fiction.
He was born in Leicester, the son of a leather merchant, and after attending Wyggeston Grammar School he worked in his father's business for almost 20 years, beginning there at a young age. He continued working in the business, even though he was a successful novelist, until he was 40 at which point he sold the business.
He wrote his first book 'Expiation' in 1887 and in 1898 he published 'The Mysterious Mr Sabin', which he described as "The first of my long series of stories dealing with that shadowy and mysterious world of diplomacy." Thereafter he became a prolific writer and by 1900 he had had 14 novels published.
While on a business trip to the United States in 1890 he met and married Elise Clara Hopkins of Boston and, on return to England, they lived in Evington, Leicestershire until the First World War,and had one daughter. His wife remained faithful to him throughout his life despite his frequent and highly publicised affairs, which often took place abroad and aboard his luxury yacht.
During World War I Oppenheim worked for the Ministry of Information while continuing to write his suspenseful novels.
He featured on the cover of 'Time' magazine on 12 September 1927 and he was the self-styled 'Prince of Storytellers', a title used by Robert standish for his biography of the author.
His literary success enabled him to buy a villa in France and a yacht, spending his winters in France where he regularly entertained more than 250 people at his lavish parties and where he was a well-known figure in high society.
He later purchased a house, Le Vanquiédor in St. Peter Port, in Guernsey. He lost access to the house during the Second World War when Germany occupied the Channel Islands but later regained it.
He wrote 116 novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue type, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life, and 39 volumes of short stories, all of which earned him vast sums of money. He also wrote five novels under the pseudonymn Anthony Partridge and a volume of autobiography, 'The Pool of Memory' in 1939.
He is generally regarded as the earliest writer of spy fiction as we know it today, and invented the 'Rogue Male' school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household.
Undoubtedly his most renowned work was 'The Great Impersonation' (1920), which was filmed three times, the last time as a strong piece of wartime propaganda in 1942. In that novel the plot hinges around two very similar looking gentlemen, one from Britain and the other from Germany, in the early part of the 20th century. Overall more than 30 of his works were made into films.
Perhaps his most enduring creation is the character of General Besserley, the protagonist of 'General Besserley's Puzzle Box' and 'General Besserley's New Puzzle Box'.
Much of his work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law.
Gerry Wolstenholme
He was born in Leicester, the son of a leather merchant, and after attending Wyggeston Grammar School he worked in his father's business for almost 20 years, beginning there at a young age. He continued working in the business, even though he was a successful novelist, until he was 40 at which point he sold the business.
He wrote his first book 'Expiation' in 1887 and in 1898 he published 'The Mysterious Mr Sabin', which he described as "The first of my long series of stories dealing with that shadowy and mysterious world of diplomacy." Thereafter he became a prolific writer and by 1900 he had had 14 novels published.
While on a business trip to the United States in 1890 he met and married Elise Clara Hopkins of Boston and, on return to England, they lived in Evington, Leicestershire until the First World War,and had one daughter. His wife remained faithful to him throughout his life despite his frequent and highly publicised affairs, which often took place abroad and aboard his luxury yacht.
During World War I Oppenheim worked for the Ministry of Information while continuing to write his suspenseful novels.
He featured on the cover of 'Time' magazine on 12 September 1927 and he was the self-styled 'Prince of Storytellers', a title used by Robert standish for his biography of the author.
His literary success enabled him to buy a villa in France and a yacht, spending his winters in France where he regularly entertained more than 250 people at his lavish parties and where he was a well-known figure in high society.
He later purchased a house, Le Vanquiédor in St. Peter Port, in Guernsey. He lost access to the house during the Second World War when Germany occupied the Channel Islands but later regained it.
He wrote 116 novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue type, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life, and 39 volumes of short stories, all of which earned him vast sums of money. He also wrote five novels under the pseudonymn Anthony Partridge and a volume of autobiography, 'The Pool of Memory' in 1939.
He is generally regarded as the earliest writer of spy fiction as we know it today, and invented the 'Rogue Male' school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household.
Undoubtedly his most renowned work was 'The Great Impersonation' (1920), which was filmed three times, the last time as a strong piece of wartime propaganda in 1942. In that novel the plot hinges around two very similar looking gentlemen, one from Britain and the other from Germany, in the early part of the 20th century. Overall more than 30 of his works were made into films.
Perhaps his most enduring creation is the character of General Besserley, the protagonist of 'General Besserley's Puzzle Box' and 'General Besserley's New Puzzle Box'.
Much of his work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law.
Gerry Wolstenholme
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 8, 2021
3.5 stars. A very intresting book but it's not a classic I will carry with me for a long time. Might read something else by this author. Wonder if he has some more well known books as it was stated a higly popular author at his time. 1866-1946
June 21, 2019
This book is categorized as a mystery, but it's not really a mystery (not in the "whodoneit" sense). It's more of a book with some suspense elements. Still, it was enjoyable, though I didn't like the women characters much, as I thought Mary was a little too shrewish for my taste and I didn't buy Sybil's supposed sincerity in wanting to be one of these altruistic aristocrats. Still, an enjoyable read.
November 2, 2017
I found this book entertaining and thoughtful. I don't know much about the author except that he was writing books over 100 years ago. Yet what he writes seems very current. While I doubt this book is considered religious, there are some truths to be considered while reading this book, i.e., pride, charity, the deserving, and love among others. I recommend this book to anyone who wants some meaty fiction.
February 28, 2018
Absolutely riveting.
Could not put it down. The society of the time had so many social restrictions, but it made me think that we, of this day and time ,have not come much farther. Fascinating.
Could not put it down. The society of the time had so many social restrictions, but it made me think that we, of this day and time ,have not come much farther. Fascinating.
May 18, 2018
Parts were really good.
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At first it was slow going and then it begin to get better. I started to like the characters and then the end was kind of disappointing
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At first it was slow going and then it begin to get better. I started to like the characters and then the end was kind of disappointing
December 15, 2020
I loved this book! While it was written over a hundred years ago the struggles depicted could have been applied to current times.
March 11, 2021
Book written in Victorian era is still compelling today. Enjoyable on so many levels.
November 22, 2024
This was a great story and very well written. I enjoy the author and a book like this one is a significant
part of the reason.
part of the reason.
June 1, 2019
While Prince doesn't have the heft that The Malefactor [1906] does, it's a good read due to some strong characterization, notably the Marquis, and several others. There are a few wobbly characters eg Kingston Brooks, and Mary. Yes, he got stuff done, but he's a bit of a prig, and Mary, who worked her little heart out, is a weak reed. Happy ending!
1907
1907
May 28, 2016
This is an elegantly written piece where a young man refuses to forgive his newly found father because he had abandoned he and his mother. But after life's many trials teaches much to both, they discover that there is strength and greater clarity in numbers. Enjoyable and thought-provoking!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews