The Mystery of Orcival

The Mystery of Orcival is a novel by French writer Émile Gaboriau, first published in 1867. The second book in the Monsieur Lecoq series, the story revolves around the mysterious death of the Countess de Tremorel, who is found murdered in her bedroom in the small town of Orcival. The prime suspect is her husband, the wealthy Count de Tremorel, who has a reputation for being a violent and jealous man. The investigation is led by Monsieur Lecoq.

Lecoq is a genius detective; arrogant, proud, a master of disguise, and known for deducing things that others cannot see. The character was apparently based on Eugène François Vidocq, a police officer who used to be a thief.

This translation by Holt & Williams was first published in 1871.