Showing results by author "R. Austin Freeman" in All Categories

A third collection of full-length adventures for R. Austen Freeman's great forensic detective, Dr John Thorndyke.

Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, introducing 16 tales of detectives whose abilities rival that of the great Sherlock Holmes.

In The Red Thumb Mark, the doctor works to clear young Reuben Hornby of stealing a parcel of diamonds from his uncle's safe, despite the apparently damning evidence. Then, in The Eye of Osiris, an amateur Egyptologist abruptly goes missing, leaving behind a strangely vexatious will. In The Mystery of 31 New Inn, Thorndyke's long-time collaborator Dr. Jervis consults his mentor regarding a mystery who may be being slowly poisoned. And in A Silent Witness, someone is making very determined attempts to murder inoffensive newly-qualified Doctor Humphrey Jardine.

A complete collection of R Austin Freeman's short stories of his great scientific investigator, Dr John Thorndyke. Including every story from John Thorndyke's Cases (1909), The Adventures of Dr Thorndyke (1912), Dr Thorndyke's Case-book (1923), The Puzzle Lock and Other Stories (1925), and The Magic Casket (1927); along with the two stand-alone stories Percival Bland's Proxy (1913), and The Missing Mortgagee (1914) (collected with others in The Great Portrait Mystery and Other Stories (1918)).

When Sherlock Holmes began his practice as a consulting detective, his ideas of scientific criminal investigations caused the London police to look upon him as a mere ‘theorist’. And yet, through his work, the science behind catching criminals became so important that it's hard now to imagine the world without them. Many famous great detectives followed in Holmes's footsteps, but before they began their careers - and while Holmes was still in practice in Baker Street - another London consultant, Dr John Thorndyke, opened his doors using the scientific methods of Holmes.

Thorndyke is arguably the first true forensic detective, for while we remember Sherlock Holmes for his genius in unearthing significant detail, only Thorndyke's methods pass the test of real-world authenticity. It might be maintained that while Holmes perhaps did it with style, Thorndyke does it with science.

Fourteen mysteries to test your inner sleuth! This collection includes "The Stolen White Elephant" by Mark Twain, narrated by Mauro Hantman; "The Fenchurch Street Mystery" by Baroness Orczy, narrated by Davina Porter; "Problem of the Superfluous Finger" by Jacques Futrelle, narrated by Stephen R. Thorne; "The Blue Sequin" by R. Austin Freeman, narrated by Simon Vance; "An Intangible Clue" by Anna Katharine Green, narrated by Angela Brazil; and "The Oblong Box" by Edgar Allan Poe, narrated by Mauro Hantman, among others.

Four more full-length adventures of R. Austen Freeman's great 'scientific investigator', Dr John Thorndyke: First, young Helen Vardon marries a man she detests in order to save her father from imprisonment; but her selfless act only precipitates a still greater disaster, and puts her under suspicion of murder. Then, in The Cat's Eye, Thorndyke unravels both an apparent robbery gone wrong and the still more complex mystery of Miss Blake's family inheritance and the cat's eye pendant.

R. Austin Freeman presents eight cases for his ingenious Edwardian "scientific investigator", Dr. John Thorndyke, including: a classic locked-room murder mystery; a race to find a disappeared child; a dead woman discovered on a train; the story of the vengeful ghost of a murdered Chinese mandarin; and the enigmatic Moabite Cypher. As ever, Dr. Thorndyke meticulously collects the evidence of footprints, dust, hairs, and fibres, and even a single blue sequin, to unravel the mystery and see that justice is done.

Immerse yourself in a captivating tale of mystery as a young doctor, an alumnus of the renowned legal and medical savant Dr. John Thorndyke, stumbles upon a peculiar case of a mans disappearance. His absence raises many questions as his oddly phrased will comes to light. Is he dead or alive? The case takes on significant importance due to the cryptic nature of his will. With Dr. Thorndykes analytical prowess and forensic acumen, the truth gradually unfolds. Amidst this intriguing chaos, the young doctor finds his soulmate in the most unexpected place - the Egyptian exhibit of the British ...

Dive into the intriguing world of Humphrey Challoner, an eccentric old man with a lifelong passion for collecting unique mammal specimens and human skeletons for his personal museum. His collection is peculiar, with no apparent theme or pattern. But when his friend, Dr. Wharton, inherits the collection following Challoners death, a chilling mystery unfolds. Unearth the dark secret binding this strange collection together in this gripping tale.

Originally published as The Singing Bone, this captivating book was later unveiled under a new guise, The Adventures of Dr. Thorndyke. It holds a unique place in literary history as it presents the first use of the inverted detective formula, seen in the gripping story, The Case of Oskar Brodski, first published in Pearsons Magazine in 1912. This is not the only example of this intriguing formula in the book, making it a must-read for detective story enthusiasts.

Embark on a thrilling journey with Dr. Humphrey Jardine, a young physician who stumbles upon a corpse during a late-night stroll near Hampstead Heath. When he returns with the authorities, the body is shockingly gone. This event sparks a series of sinister happenings that leave Jardine questioning his own sanity. Was there really a corpse? If so, who was the deceased, and what role does the enigmatic Mrs. Samway play in this mystery? As the plot thickens, Jardine will need the assistance of the renowned detective Dr. John Thorndyke to unravel the truth. Silent Witness is the fourth installment...

Mr Marcus Pottermack, an ingenious and meticulous gentleman, of quiet habits, is in a desperate situation: wrongfully convicted of fraud, he escaped from prison and established a new life, only to find himself in the clutches of a ruthless blackmailer. With no recourse to the law, Pottermack can see no way out—until a happy discovery within the walled garden of his home offers the means to rid himself of his tormentor forever.

Dive into the enigmatic tale of Angelina Frood, a woman who vanishes from Rochester seemingly to flee her vulgar and threatening husband, Nicholas Frood. As you follow a breadcrumb trail of clues, youll be led to a chilling finale that holds an unexpected twist. - Summary by Yoganandh T

Delve into the enthralling puzzle of Jeffrey Blackmores two uncannily similar, yet cunningly distinct wills. Join the astute and sharp-witted John Thorndyke as he unravels this peculiar mystery. With a cool head and logical approach, he guides us towards an astonishing, yet entirely believable climax. (Summary by Neeru Iyer)

Dive into the mystery of missing diamonds, an untouched safe, two blood-streaked thumb prints, and the enigmatic Mr X. As these elements converge, the brilliant Dr. Thorndyke steps onto the scene. Will he crack the case? The Red Thumb Mark marks the thrilling debut of Freeman’s popular Thorndyke series. (Summary by Diana Majlinger)

Dive into the intriguing world of the Dr. Thorndyke series, penned by R. Austin Freeman. Eye of Osiris stands out as an early gem in the collection, where forensic science and logical deduction are the main tools of our medico-legal detective. The case? The baffling disappearance of John Bellingham, an English gentleman with a passion for Egyptology. Dr. Thorndyke, compelled by the unique nature of the case and a personal connection through a former student now close with the missing mans family, steps in to unravel the mystery. As the narrative unfolds, we experience the authors extensive ...

In the tranquil setting of a quaint English village, newly graduated doctor, Stephen Gray, unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a tragic incident involving a stunning young maiden. With the intent to aid her, he reaches out to his mentor, the esteemed forensic investigator, Dr. Thorndyke. Assisted by his trusty aide, Polton, Thorndyke employs his adept forensic skills to unravel a fascinatingly complex mystery, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Join us on this captivating journey of intrigue and suspense, narrated by Howard Skyman.

Journey into the captivating world of detective John Thorndyke as he skillfully unravels mysteries in this anthology of Freemans intriguing crime narratives. - Summary by A. K. Morton