'In Queer Street' is a mystery novel by Fergus Hume. It opens with a conversation between a potential boarder, Mr. Spruce, and the landlady of the boarding house, Mrs. Tesk. Mr. Spruce is unimpressed with the establishment, describing it as outdated and located in the working-class neighborhood of Bethnal Green. Mrs. Tesk corrects him, calling it a "boarding house" and emphasizing its name, "The Home of the Muses." The room and furnishings suggest an old-fashioned style, and Mrs. Tesk's mannerisms reinforce this impression. In contrast, Mr. Spruce is depicted as a fashionable young man with modern tastes. The novel sets the stage for a mystery to unfold within this unusual setting.
