I have enjoyed reading more than 94 Henty books at this point in my life. The vast majority of them are outstanding. Some are better than others.
Colonel Thorndyke's Secret is an example of Henty's literary style at its best. From beginning to end, the book is compelling. The characters are fascinating. The story line is believable and engaging. But for a few comments in the book that I felt were not up to snuff from a Christian worldview perspective, the majority of the story---with its mysteries, and emphasis on the qualities and interesting relationships of the main characters made it a first-rate read. Here is a short bio I wrote for it making sure that I did not give away to much of its exciting mystery!
Colonel Thorndyke had tried to save a fellow soldier from being stabbed to death while in India. As the soldier begins to die he gives Thorndyke a diamond bracelet for which he had been attacked. A mystery surrounds this bracelet. After 12 years, Thorndyke returns to England with the jewel, a little daughter, and a servant, Ramoo. As he dies, he hands off the bracelet to his brother and thus begins a great mystery!
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