I still give two stars to this book because it is written in the large new style of the Victorian era, even the intrigues do not brush the tip pleasant, attractive inspiration that characterize the investigations of Sherlock Holmes. Likewise, the horrific elements are so flat compared descriptions of Montague Rhodes James that my only reaction to this reading was a shrug adorned with a heavy sigh. Finally, note that this author has written at least one masterpiece: The house on the edge of the world.
Hodgson, uneven author is undoubtedly one of the spiritual fathers of Lovecraft.