Tales of Terror and Mystery (1921)

I’ve been reading more short stories this year and have come to one conclusion --- I prefer one author over several. I enjoy the stories more if I become familiar with the author’s voice and I can then move along without feeling the need to stop and regain my footing at the end of each story. In Tales of Terror and Mystery, this is exactly what happened.

There were 13 stories here; six tales of terror and seven tales of mystery.

Tales of Terror:
The Horror of the Heights follows a pilot who encounters giant jellyfish like aliens. The Leather Funnel reminds us what a true nightmare can be. The New Catacomb is a take on the value of friendship when a woman’s love is involved. The Case of Lady Sannox is an affair gone wrong. The Terror of Blue John Gap involves an imaginary monster made real. The Brazilian Cat is a tale of family woe and backstabbing relatives.

Tales of Mystery:
The Lost Special is a recounting of a train kidnapping. The Beetle-Hunter follows a young doctor and the horror he finds in answering an advertisement. The Man with the Watches is about a train with missing persons. The Japanned Box makes us wonder what a widower is doing alone in a room late at night. The Black Doctor involves the disappearance and supposed murder of a well-liked town doctor. The Jew’s Breastplate is a museum caper complete with a mummy. The Nightmare Room is an odd scene with a séance to boot.

If you know anything about Sir Arthur Conon Doyle, these stories reflect many of his interests including his love of new technologies and preoccupation in the afterlife. It’s endearing and somewhat uncomfortable at the same time as his prejudices also come through. I’m not going into that here though.

I enjoyed the tales of terror more and there are a few gems among the mysteries as well but I did see a few endings coming which didn’t cause any disappointment. With a short story, in some cases only pages, it’s going to happen.

If you’re a fan of Doyle, this one is worth a look. It’s fast and the stories are entertaining. ( )

Another collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's short story collections published by John Murray.
This one contains quite a few crackers and it is difficult to pick just one or two,but I will have a go. The Leather Funnel and The New Catacomb. Also The Lost Special and The Beetle-Hunter. All of these are well-told stories in this genre of which Sir Arthur is a Master. ( )

Hit and miss, but when the short stories hit, they hit hard and well. A lot of the "eh" stories have more to do with their reliance on old technology for explanations. ( )

Decent stories all. ( )

Some horror, and the odd mystery and mainstream.

Tales of Terror : The Horror of the Heights - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Terror : The Leather Funnel - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Terror : The New Catacomb - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Terror : The Case of Lady Sannox - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Terror : The Terror of Blue John Gap - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Terror : The Brazilian Cat - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Lost Special - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Beetle-Hunter - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Man with the Watches - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Japanned Box - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Black Doctor - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Jew's Breastplate - Arthur Conan Doyle
Tales of Mystery : The Nightmare Room - Arthur Conan Doyle

An aviator's recount of an encounter with a huge flying jellyfish monster.

4 out of 5

Tortured ghost source.

4 out of 5

Archaelological abandonment.

3 out of 5

A poisoned lip requires surgery.

3 out of 5

Finding a mine monster.

4 out of 5

Even if broke, don't visit relatives with pumas as housecats.

4 out of 5

Train nicking crime.

3 out of 5

Crazy brother, really.

3.5 out of 5

Train death mystery.

3 out of 5

Record memories.

3 out of 5

Fraternal history in Argentina revisits a country doc.

3 out of 5

Protecting artefacts.

3.5 out of 5

A poison triangle.

3 out of 5

http://www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700561h.html
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/903

http://freesf.blogspot.com/2006/12/tales-of-terror-and-mystery-arthur.html ( )