The Annam Jewel by Patricia Wentworth #DeanStreetDecember23

Title: The Annam Jewel
Author: Patricia Wentworth
Publication: Dean Street Press, paperback, originally published in 1925
Genre: Mystery
Setting: England

Description: Several years previously, James Waring partnered with two other unscrupulous men to steal the Annam Jewel from its shrine in a holy place in Asia. He did not survive for long but managed to tell part of his story and give the jewel to his brother, Henry. Henry’s involvement was also fatal; he died six months later. Olivia Waring brought up their son Peter alone and later adopted a girl named Rose Ellen; Mrs. Waring died when they were 12 and 8 respectively. The Waring relatives decided Peter would be sent to boarding school and Rose Ellen, not their kin, would go to an orphanage; fortunately, through Peter’s determined efforts a safe home turns up for her and they are able to stay in touch. When Peter turns 25, the family solicitor turns over Henry’s diary and a box containing the Annam Jewel. Or does it? A man named Hendebakker is also alleged to possess the Jewel and the father of Peter’s flirtatious friend Sylvia is similarly rumored to have it. Peter believes the Jewel belongs to him but he is up against dangerous men who have killed for the Jewel in the past.

My Impression: Liz from Adventures in Reading, Running, and Working from Home has been hosting Dean Street December, a month of books published by Dean Street Press, the independent publisher devoted to finding and republishing good fiction and non-fiction, including many hard-to-find Patricia Wentworths. Sadly, publisher Rupert Heath passed away unexpectedly last March, but I am sure he is enjoying all these reviews from the Afterlibrary above.

This particular Wentworth, published nearly a hundred years ago, is somewhat disturbing to a modern reader because it is based on stealing a holy object from its indigenous people - and even the good guys don’t consider returning it. If one can get past this and a few unfortunate characterizations then it is enjoyable as an adventure story and coming of age for Peter Waring. He is a grubby but loyal boy who turns into a man without graces or much in the way of perception; he is infatuated by Sylvia, Lady Moreland, although she cares only for her own interests:

Hendebakker looked closely at Sylvia’s profile as he spoke:

“It doesn’t much matter what he says, but what you say matters a lot. You’ve got to get him to see the Jewel. You’ve got to get round him so that he doesn’t just go to the bank and look at it there, and come away again. He’s got to bring it away with him and you’ve got to get it for me.”

“I can’t,” said Sylvia. “I won’t.”

“You won’t?” Hendebakker laughed. “Think that over.”

His smooth manner suddenly dropped from him.  Sylvia's glance showed her the man beneath the manner - cold, brutal, and ferocious. 

Peter managed to survive WWI so coping with his uncle’s deadly enemies does not intimidate him but his loyalty puts him at a disadvantage. Everyone puts pressure on him except Rose Ellen, who merely wants him to be happy and, eventually, Peter gets his priorities straight.

The Annam Jewel reminded me of Elswyth Thane’s Cloth of Gold about a holy item that is also stolen and sought with deadly force. Thane invokes a Kipling story (which I suspect Wentworth would have read as well) in which a purloined weapon destroys those who took it. Thane’s characters are in Pakistan while Annam was the name used by the Chinese and French for what is now the central section of Vietnam. Neither book is the author’s best work but I did enjoy aspects of both and completists will want to own them.  Wentworth would introduce her sleuth Miss Silver in more traditional mysteries in 1928.  For other Patricia Wentworth reviews, click here.

Source: Personal copy. This is my thirtieth book for Carol’s Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge although it is less of a mystery than an adventure story.

Off the Blog: What can be more delightful than reading a book by the Christmas tree, surrounded by one's favorites?

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful 2024!