The Enigma by John Fowles. Short summary

5 seconds

Detective Michael Jennings tries to investigate the disappearance of businessman and politician Fielding. It turns out that the missing man had every reason to fake his disappearance.

1 minute

A successful businessman, politician, and member of the House of Commons goes missing. The family turns to the police. Detective Michael Jennings tries to make sense of what happened. But John Marcus Fielding has left no trace or clue for the police.

The businessman’s wife begins her own investigation. Meanwhile, Jennings interviews witnesses — the fanatically devoted owner’s secretary, Peter, Fielding’s adult son, and his girlfriend Isabel.

The detective has a strange relationship with the latter. From the first acquaintance Jennings felt that the thread of the investigation finally appeared in his hands. But conversations with Isabel, joint tea parties do not give him a clue.

There is no clear denouement in the detective. The policeman realizes only that the version of Fielding’s kidnapping or murder must be ruled out. But maybe the businessman staged his own disappearance, and Isabelle is involved in it in some incomprehensible way?