In "The Beetle," a down-on-his-luck clerk, Robert Holt, stumbles upon a sinister figure, the "Beetle," a shape-shifting ancient Egyptian entity seeking revenge. This creature stalks and terrorizes British politician Paul Lessingham for a past transgression in Egypt. The story unfolds through various characters' perspectives: Holt, a reporter, the politician's niece, and a friend. They navigate a thrilling mix of supernatural elements, including hypnosis, alongside suspenseful mystery and even dashes of humor, as they try to unravel the Beetle's identity and stop its vengeance. Published in 1897, the novel initially surpassed Bram Stoker's "Dracula" in popularity, offering a unique blend of genres in the fin de siècle era.