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A shape-shifting ancient Egyptian creature seeks vengeance on a British member of Parliament in Richard Marsh's 1897 horror book The Beetle (also known as The Beetle: A Mystery). Four different narrators-Robert Holt, Sydney Atherton, Marjorie Lindon, Augustus Champnell, and Paul Lessingham-take turns telling the story.The story of Robert Holt, a clerk who has been looking for work all day, is recounted at the start of the book. He walks in the dark and in the rain after being denied food and water at a workhouse until he stumbles to an abandoned, decaying house with an open window. He seeks shelter there and encounters the terrifying Beetle there.The Beetle mesmerises Holt into giving him power over his thoughts, enabling him to assume human shape. He then accuses Holt of being a robber and threatens to treat him accordingly.The narrative switches its attention from Holt to Sydney Atherton, who ends up being Paul Lessingham's romantic opponent for Marjorie Lindon's love. Atherton visits Lessingham after seeing Holt, who assures they are not engaged before sending him on his way. Atherton is shocked when Grayling visits the next day since he had forgotten about the appointment. Atherton believes that the man is the same one he observed leaving Lessingham's home the previous two evenings.Detective Augustus Champnell's perspective is used to narrate the conclusion. When Lessingham walks into Champnell's office, the latter is finishing up paperwork for a case. Lessingham explains to him how he is related to the Beetle.
