Fergus Hume, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

A mystery fiction novel, first published in Australia in 1886. Set in Melbourne, the story focuses on the investigation of a homicide involving a body discovered in a hansom cab, as well as an exploration into the social class divide in the city. The book was successful in Australia, then in Britain and the United States and went on to sell over 500,000 copies worldwide, outselling the first of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels, A Study in Scarlet (1887).


The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume – A Victorian Crime Classic


The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume is a landmark in detective fiction, first published in 1886. Set in Melbourne, Australia, this atmospheric mystery became a literary phenomenon, outselling even Sherlock Holmes’ debut at the time.


When a man is found murdered in the back of a hansom cab, suspicion falls across Melbourne’s upper class. As the investigation unfolds, secrets about class divisions, hidden identities, and moral corruption emerge. Hume’s keen observations and thrilling narrative made this novel one of the most influential crime stories of the 19th century.


With its vivid depiction of Victorian society and expertly crafted suspense, this classic continues to captivate readers who enjoy historical crime fiction and intricate whodunits.