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Cover of The three strings

The three strings

Written by Natalie Sumner Lincoln

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Detective and mystery storiesMurderWashington (D.C.)Chess

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About this book

"The Three Strings" by Natalie Sumner Lincoln is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Evelyn Preston, who experiences a shocking discovery of a dead man in her home—a mystery that becomes complicated by various interactions with her family, friends, and the authorities. The novel unfolds in a tightly woven narrative that invites readers to unravel the circumstances surrounding the dead man's identity and the events leading up to that fateful moment. At the start of the narrative, Evelyn returns home after a long journey, only to find that the house is devoid of servants and the air is thick with an unsettling quiet. After a series of mundane actions to settle in, she stumbles upon a dead man in the library, triggering panic and confusion. As Evelyn encounters the housekeeper, Dr. Hayden, and eventually the coroner, the gravity of the situation escalates. They soon realize that Evelyn may have inadvertently been part of an unfolding mystery that entwines several key characters, including Dan Maynard and her step-father, Peter Burnham, each with their own secrets, creating a rich backdrop for exploration of motives and relationships.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The three strings, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • suspenseful
  • tense

Natalie Sumner Lincoln's "The Three Strings" is an early 20th-century mystery novel that plunges Evelyn Preston into a terrifying ordeal when she discovers a dead man in her own home. Returning from a journey to an unsettlingly quiet house, Evelyn's mundane return is shattered by the shocking find, triggering panic and confusion. As authorities and family members become involved, the mystery deepens, revealing a complex web of secrets and interconnected lives. Evelyn finds herself inadvertently at the center of a plot involving her stepfather, Peter Burnham, and the enigmatic Dan Maynard, forcing her to confront hidden motives and unravel the truth behind the grim discovery.

“The silence in the house was not merely an absence of sound; it was a presence, heavy with foreboding.”

Key themes

Deception and Secrets
This theme is central to the mystery genre, and in "The Three Strings," it manifests through the hidden lives and concealed motives of nearly every character. The presence of the dead man in Evelyn's home immediately implies a profound secret, and the subsequent investigation involves peeling back layers of lies, half-truths, and unspoken histories. The novel explores how individuals construct false fronts and the devastating consequences when those deceptions are exposed, particularly within familial and social circles.
The Disruption of Domesticity
The novel powerfully explores the theme of a safe, private home being violated and transformed into a crime scene. Evelyn's return to an empty, quiet house, only to discover a dead body, shatters the illusion of security and domestic bliss. This theme highlights how external threats can penetrate even the most intimate spaces, forcing characters to re-evaluate their sense of safety and the trustworthiness of their environment and the people within it. It underscores the fragility of order when confronted with violence and chaos.
Justice and Moral Ambiguity
As a mystery novel, the pursuit of justice is a foundational theme. However, Lincoln's work likely delves into the complexities and moral ambiguities inherent in achieving it. The investigation forces characters and readers to grapple with difficult questions about right and wrong, the motivations behind criminal acts, and the potentially blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. It examines whether justice is purely legal or if there are also moral debts to be paid, and if the 'truth' always leads to a clear-cut resolution.

Worth discussing

How does the domestic setting of Evelyn's home amplify the horror and mystery of the discovery?

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