Richard Austin Freeman presents an ingenious case in this remarkable detective saga. When a store of priceless jewels vanishes without a trace, the brilliant Dr Thorndyke and his skilled associate, Mr Polton, are called in to chase a thief who leaves no trace. A mysterious stranger, incendiary bombs, and intrigue weave a magnificently enjoyable trail through a great read.
Dr. John Thorndyke is a medical jurispractitioner - originally a medical doctor, he turned to the bar and became one of the first, in modern parlance, forensic scientists. His solutions were based on his method of collecting all possible data (including dust and pond weed) and making inferences from them before looking at any of the protagonists and motives in the crimes. (Freeman, it is said, conducted all experiments mentioned in the stories himself.) It is this method which gave rise to one of Freeman's most ingenious inventions, the inverted detective story, where the criminal act is described first and the interest lies in Thorndyke's subsequent unraveling of it. Table of Contents: Introduction Meet Dr. Thorndyke Short Stories Percival Bland's Proxy The Missing Mortgagee The Man with the Nailed Shoes The Stranger's Latchkey The Anthropologist at Large The Blue Sequin The Moabite Cipher The Mandarin's Pearl The Aluminium Dagger A Message from the Deep Sea The Case of Oscar Brodski A Case of Premeditation The Echo of a Mutiny A Wastrel's Romance The Old Lag The Case of the White Footprints The Blue Scarab The New Jersey Sphinx The Touchstone A Fisher of Men The Stolen Ingots The Funeral Pyre The Puzzle Lock The Green Check Jacket The Seal of Nebuchadnezzar Phyllis Annesley's Peril A Sower of Pestilence Rex v. Burnaby A Mystery of the Sand-Hills The Apparition of Burling Court The Mysterious Visitor The Magic Casket The Contents of a Mare's Nest The Stalking Horse The Naturalist at Law Mr. Ponting's Alibi Pandora's Box The Trail of Behemoth The Pathologist to the Rescue Gleanings from the Wreckage
R. Austin Freeman's 'DR. THORNDYKE MYSTERIES Complete Collection' is a comprehensive anthology comprising 21 novels and 40 short stories, all featuring the meticulous and analytical detective Dr. John Thorndyke. Freeman's writing style blends elements of mystery, science, and forensic investigation, setting the stage for the forensic detective genre. Through intricate plots and compelling narratives, Freeman delves into the scientific method of solving crimes, making his works both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. The collection showcases Freeman's talent for crafting puzzling mysteries that keep readers engaged from start to finish. As a pioneer in detective fiction, Freeman's influence can be seen in subsequent works of the genre, solidifying his place in literary history.R. Austin Freeman, a trained surgeon and forensic scientist, drew on his medical background to create the character of Dr. Thorndyke, known for his logical reasoning and attention to detail. Freeman's expertise in medicine and forensic science shines through in his intricate plots and accurate depiction of crime scene investigation. His dedication to precision and accuracy sets his work apart in the realm of detective fiction.I highly recommend 'DR. THORNDYKE MYSTERIES Complete Collection' to fans of classic detective fiction and readers interested in the intersection of science and crime-solving. Freeman's timeless stories and distinctive protagonist make this anthology a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and intellectually stimulating literary experience.
In the classic literature collection, 'Dr. Thorndyke Mysteries Complete Series: 21 Novels & 40 Short Stories (Illustrated Edition)' by R. Austin Freeman, readers are transported into the fascinating world of detective fiction. Dr. John Thorndyke, the protagonist, showcases his meticulous investigative skills to solve complex cases, making this series a must-read for fans of mystery and crime genres. Freeman's descriptive and analytical writing style creates an immersive experience for readers, combining scientific knowledge with thrilling plotlines that keep readers hooked until the very end. Set in the early 20th century, the series reflects the literary context of the time, providing insight into forensic science and crime-solving techniques of the era. The illustrated edition enhances the reading experience, bringing the characters and settings to life visually. R. Austin Freeman, a qualified medical practitioner turned author, drew inspiration from his scientific background to craft the character of Dr. Thorndyke, adding a unique and realistic dimension to the mysteries. His passion for detective fiction and intricate storytelling shines through in this comprehensive collection. I highly recommend 'Dr. Thorndyke Mysteries' to readers who appreciate engaging plots, well-developed characters, and a touch of scientific expertise in their mystery novels.
Dr. Thorndyke is one of the best creations of the Golden Age of British detective fiction. He is both medical doctor and barrister and the first great exponent of forensics in fiction, with an encyclopedic scientific knowledge. R. Austin Freeman was innovative in his writing too - some of his stories are divided in two: the first part describes the crime AND who did it - the second, the means of detection. In this new omnibus edition, over forty Thorndyke short stories are gathered, from The Singing Bone (a.k.a. The Adventures of Dr. Thorndyke), The Great Portrait Mystery, John Thorndyke's Cases (a.k.a. Dr. Thorndyke's Cases), The Magic Casket, The Puzzle Lock and Dr. Thorndyke's Case Book (a.k.a. The Blue Scarab).
The D'Arblay Mystery is the tenth volume in the Dr. Thorndyke series of Victorian-era forensic mysteries and one of the best. It has a solid and intricate plot, plenty of suspense, strong and sympathetic characters, and actual detection work--not always a necessary element for early mystery novels. Includes an introduction by Karl Wurf.
The Case of the White Footprints is a murder mystery set in Margate. A lady has been found dead in her room in a boarding house. At first glance it looks like a clear case of suicide, but then the two doctors attending the death spot a set of white footprints in paint on the red linoleum of the floor. As the house is currently being repainted, and the window-sills were still covered in wet paint, it is clear that the woman has been murdered by someone who entered and left through the window. Moreover, the footprints have some strange peculiarities. They are bare footprints...and on both feet it appears that the little toe is missing. When Dr. Thorndyke is called onto the case these extraordinary footprints lead him immediately to the track of the murderer.
This book contains 350 short stories from 50 classic, prize-winning and noteworthy authors. Wisely chosen by the literary critic August Nemo for the book series 7 Best Short Stories, this omnibus contains the stories of the following writers: - Sheridan Le Fanu - H. and E. Heron - Charlotte Riddell - Flora Annie Steel - Amelia B. Edwards - Margaret Oliphant - Edward Bellamy - Arnold Bennett - S. Baring-Gould - Daniil Kharms - E.F. Benson - John Buchan - Ella D'Arcy - Jacques Futrelle - Frank Richard Stockton - John Kendrick Bangs - Kenneth Grahame - Julian Hawthorne - A. E. W. Mason - Richard Middleton - Pierre Louÿs - Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole - Ethel Richardson - Gertrude Stein - E. Phillips Oppenheim - Arthur Quiller-Couch - Mór Jókai - Andy Adams - Bertha Sinclair - Fitz James O'Brien - Eleanor H. Porter - Valery Bryusov - John Ulrich Giesy - Otis Adelbert Kline - Paul Laurence Dunbar - Frank Lucius Packard - Barry Pain - Gertrude Bennett - Francis Marion Crawford - William Pett Ridge - Gilbert Parker - Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford - Elizabeth Garver Jordan - Richard Austin Freeman - Alice Duer Miller - Leonard Merrick - Anthony Hope - Ethel Watts Mumford - Anne O'Hagan Shinn - B. M. Bower
Before Kathy Reichs's Temperance Brennan and Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta, there was Dr. Thorndyke, the first ever fictional forensic scientist. The only evidence against young Reuben Hornby in a jewel theft is his thumb print smeared in blood. It is enough to convict him of the crime until physician Dr. John Thorndyke dares to ask and answer the question, Can a fingerprint be forged?"
