# Greed and Ambition in The Paradise Mystery

> Theme guide for The Paradise Mystery by J. S. Fletcher.

Characters are driven by financial gain, social advancement, and personal desire, as seen in Bryce's pursuit of Mary Bewery and the hidden jewels, and in the embezzlement that set the plot in motion.

## Where it surfaces

- [V: The Scrap of Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/v-the-scrap-of-paper): Bryce's ambition to marry Mary Bewery and his desire to gain power over Ransford drive his investigation.
- [X: Diplomacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/x-diplomacy): Bryce's primary motive is to marry Mary Bewery for her fortune, using his knowledge as leverage.
- [The Double Offer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xv-the-double-offer): Bryce's personal vendetta against Ransford and his schemes regarding Mary Bewery drive him to exploit the suspicion against Ransford for his own gain.
- [Beforehand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-beforehand): The pursuit of the stolen diamonds, with a £5,000 reward, drives Bryce, Harker, and the Duke's party, revealing the powerful motive of material gain.
- [Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-surprise): Bryce's calculated plan to win Mary Bewery by manipulating suspicion against Ransford reveals his selfish ambition and willingness to use foul means.
- [XIX: The Subtlety of the Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xix-the-subtlety-of-the-devil): Bryce's personal motive to marry Mary Bewery drives his investigation, intertwining personal ambition with the pursuit of justice.
- [XX: Jettison Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xx-jettison-takes-a-hand): The fifty-pound payment to Collishaw hints at bribery or reward for information, reflecting the corrupting influence of money in the case.
- [The Saxonsteade Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-the-saxonsteade-arms): Bryce's ambition to marry Mary and his manipulation of evidence for personal gain; Brake's downfall due to greed in lending bank money.
- [Finesse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xxiv-finesse): Glassdale seeks the thousand-pound reward, and Folliot offers to make it 'worth his while' to keep silent, highlighting mercenary interests.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/themes/greed_and_ambition
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/themes