First published in 1896, 'The World's Great Snare' is one of E. Phillips Oppenheim's earlier novels. Set in a California gold mining camp, Englishman Bryan Bryan is tracking down a mysterious man named Huntley who holds key information about Bryan's past. Bryan encounters the beautiful Myra Mercier, who is fleeing a life of prostitution, and decides to join Bryan in his quest. Murder and vengeance follow, before Bryan escapes back to Britain. He cannot escape what transpired in California however, and the events of that time will return to haunt him.