Portrait of a Man with Red Hair

Portrait of a Man with Red Hair is a novel by Hugh Walpole, first published in 1925, and the third novel in the Four Fantastic Tales series. Blending romance, suspense, and a touch of the macabre, the story follows Charles Percy Harkness, a thoughtful American traveler who journeys to the quiet Cornish town of Treliss in search of beauty, solitude, and a fresh start after a period of deep personal reflection. What begins as a peaceful retreat soon draws him into a web of intrigue, emotional tension, and unsettling mysteries lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic coastal community.

As Harkness becomes acquainted with the town and its inhabitants, he encounters the troubled young woman Hesther and a cast of eccentric locals whose lives intersect in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways. Walpole gradually transforms the picturesque Cornish setting into a stage for psychological drama, where romance, fear, and moral conflict intertwine. The novel explores themes of courage, identity, and the tension between appearance and hidden truth, creating an atmosphere that shifts from gentle charm to looming menace.