The Black Abbot (novel)

The Black Abbot is a gothic mystery novel by Edgar Wallace, originally published in 1926. The story centers around the ancient Fossaway Abbey and the legend of a spectral Black Abbot who haunts its halls. When a valuable inheritance becomes linked to the abbey and a series of mysterious deaths occur, suspicion falls upon the return of the Black Abbot.

The plot involves a complex web of characters, including the young and resourceful Patricia Brent, the returning heir Richard Fossaway, and a host of suspicious individuals connected to the abbey and its secrets. The narrative blends elements of suspense, romance, and the supernatural as Patricia and Richard attempt to uncover the truth behind the Black Abbot and expose the real culprit responsible for the escalating crimes.

Wallace's signature style of fast-paced storytelling, intricate plots, and unexpected twists is evident throughout The Black Abbot. The novel explores themes of greed, superstition, and the power of the past to influence the present. Although rooted in the gothic tradition, the explanation for the ghostly occurrences often reveals a more earthly and sinister explanation. The novel was part of a wider series of Wallace's works adapted for the German film studio Rialto Film, launching the Edgar Wallace film series.