The Perfume of the Lady in Black

Focusing on the character of Joseph Rouletabille, a reporter turned amateur detective, the novel unfolds as he confronts a returning threat from the past. After saving Mathilde Stangerson from the clutches of the criminal Ballmeyer, Rouletabille is drawn back into a web of mystery when Mathilde, now on her honeymoon, reaches out with alarming news. Combining elements of suspense and intrigue, this classic work showcases Leroux's mastery in the detective genre, positioning Rouletabille as a French counterpart to Sherlock Holmes.