Poe is almost legendary here in Richmond, VA, where he occupies a predominant place in history. This casts Edgar Allan Poe as a supporting character. The name stuck with me, and wouldn’t you know, after digging through my stacks o’ books, I actually had something from this very author! I had asked the students to fill in a wish-list of books to be added to their classroom library and someone requested a book by Avi. Meaning, of course, that one of “my” students brought him to my attention. The novel explores themes of social status, fear, artistry, and alcoholism.I have just “discovered” the author, Avi.

For the duration of their time together, Edmund is frustrated by Dupin’s obsession with “the story,” as Poe demonstrates he cares more about writing and creating his own desired ending than saving anyone’s life. Though erratic, unreliable, and frequently drunk, Poe is able to solve the mystery by piecing together various clues over the coming days, including a coded note Rachett writes using the cipher from Poe’s own story.Įdmund finds his mother seeking refuge in a church, and with the help of Asa Throck, a member of the Providence Night Watch, Edmund and Poe lead a victorious boat chase through the stormy bay and rescue Sis.

They later learn that she selflessly took her sister’s place, tricking Rachett and Peterson when they were ready to kill Mrs. That night, they discover Aunty Pru’s drowned body on the docks. Intrigued by the prospect of a new mystery to write, Poe-who introduces himself to Edmund as Auguste Dupin-agrees to help the child. With the help of a young bank clerk, Randolph Peterson, Rachett devises a plan to kill his wife, which would allow him to remarry, and kidnap Sis so that he and Peterson can use her to rob the vault of gold at the Providence Bank.Īlone and afraid, Edmund runs into Poe, who arrived in Providence in search of a new story and in hopes of marrying Helen Whitman, the same woman Rachett wants to marry. When Rachett learns of Pru’s arrival and her intent to find her twin sister, Rachett kidnaps her too. Nevertheless, she manages to get a message to Pru. Not wanting to lose his money or tarnish his image, Rachett-who goes by the alias William Arnold-keeps his wife prisoner for months. He stole all his wife’s money and fled to Providence, and a year ago Edmund’s mother traveled there seeking a divorce and the return of her money. Edmund later explains that following the death of his father, his mother remarried to a man named Mr. For the last month, the family lived in a rented room in Providence, having left England in search of the children’s mother. The mystery begins with the disappearance of Edmund’s Aunty Pru and several days later, the disappearance of his twin sister, “Sis”.

The Man Who Was Poe by Avi