"The Case of Charles Augustus Milverton" is the basis for this entry in the Holmes saga. In it a master blackmailer with no sense of compassion uses young women by buying up incriminating letters and documents from disreputable, money grubbing people. He pays a healthy fee, but gains recompense at a future time. Usually, these are young women with marriage prospects, who have done something that will either destroy any possibility of matrimony or cause embarrassment to their upper crust husbands. A young military man takes his own life and this leads to a series events, including one where Holmes and Watson risk their careers to do what is right. Milverton is one of the slimiest villains in the history of literature, having almost no redeeming qualities. His portrayal is subtle and quiet, like a cobra lying in the bush. But he is the most evil kind of cad with no qualms about engaging his psychotic plans. He considers himself a shrewd businessman and carnage is his business.
Review of The Master Blackmailer
