The Lodger
-
-
4.2 • 153 Ratings
-
Publisher Description
An Apple Books Classic edition.
Originally published in 1911 as a short story, The Lodger was based on the unsolved murders attributed to Jack the Ripper. Belloc Lowndes’s story is set in 1880s London, where the elderly Mrs. and Mr. Bunting are struggling to keep their failing lodging house afloat. Just as all hope seems lost, a mysterious stranger named Mr. Sleuth appears and asks about renting a room. Even better, he offers to pay the first month in advance—in gold. Is he the answer to the Buntings’ prayers? Or is something sinister afoot? At first, Sleuth’s night walks and biblical mutterings seem strange yet harmless. But with a violent serial killer stalking London, the Buntings eventually grow suspicious.
The Lodger is a gothic novel of ever-building suspense and a page-turning exploration of fear, guilt, and moral responsibility. A bestseller in its day, the book was adapted for the screen by none other than Alfred Hitchcock. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, give this classic story a try.
Customer Reviews
Moody and atmospheric but falls flat
I really wanted to like this. I was into it all along and the author did a great job with suspense and drawing you in. But then it just ended. Like in a page or two. It just seemed to be a cop out of an ending because they couldn’t think of something better. I hate to be mean but this one was disappointing.