A serial killer is murdering people by copying scenarios out of Edgar Allan Poe's works. Edgar Allan Poe is called to a gruesome scene of a crime by investigator Fields. A killer has copied a scene out of one of Poe's short stories. Soon other murders occur, depicting events from other writings. At a masquerade ball where they expect the murderer to appear, Poe's girlfriend Emily is kidnapped by the killer. The killer demands that Poe write about the killings for him to reveal Emily's whereabouts. Poe helps Fields figure out where the killer will strike next based on clues that the killer leaves. After an exhaustive game of cat and mouse, the pair deduce that the killer must be working at the publishing office based on early knowledge of certain secret information, and typesetter's ink linked to the publisher. Poe meets the killer (the typesetter) face to face, and he gives Poe a vial of poison to drink. He then reveals his plans of executing more killings in Paris. Poe then realizes that Emily is kept right under the floorboards, and is rescued in time. Poe walks to a park bench outside, and dies. Meanwhile, when the killer arrives in Paris, Fields is there to capture him.
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Best part of story, including ending:
I like the historical aspect of using a real-life character (Poe) to tell a fictional thriller.
Best scene in story:
The first murder scene.
Opinion about the main character:
Poe is a drunk and egotistical writer. He is on his way down and he knows that his only salvation is being with Emily and you see him fight for her.
