The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a mystery novel by the British writer Fergus Hume. Fergus Hume was born in the UK and when he was 6 months old his parents emigrated with him to New Zealand. At 25 he moved to Melbourne where he lived for 3 years. He then departed for the UK where he lived for the rest of his life. He had some minor success in the UK as a playwright. The book was first published in Australia in 1886.