The first of series of five books featuring the sinister mastermind Dr. Nikola- Guy Newell Boothby (1867-1905) was one of the most popular of Australian authors in the late 19th and early 20th century, writing dozens of novels of sensational fiction. A Bid for Fortune, or Dr. Nikola's Vendetta (1895) is the first of his series of five books featuring the sinister mastermind Dr. Nikola, a character of gothic appearance usually accompanied by a large black cat, and who has powers of mesmerism. Mysteria A paperback and e-book series published by Intra. Global readability, Italian charm.