Douglas G. Greene

A good selection of mysteries of the Homes era, beginning with the original Holmes story "the Copper Beeches" and including stories by well-known writers like Kipling and G.K. Chesterton, middle-rank writers like Arthur Morrison, R. Austin Freeman, Jacques Futrelle, Robert Chambers and L.T. Meade, and lesser-known writers including Catherine PIrkis, George Sims, Silas Hocking and Headon Hill. There is an intelligent introduction making the case for the Holmes period as "the First Golden Age" show more of detective stories, with which I strongly agree. show less

Editor Douglas Greene has gathered an eclectic set of Victorian mysteries that is sure to please fans of Victorian literature. Many of these authors are long out of print, and there were several with whom I was completely unfamiliar.

There were of course, stories by Doyle, Orczy and Chesterton to represent the more traditional favorites--Chesterton's "The Eye of Apollo" is especially excellent. Several of the other stories were surprisingly deep and well-written, though there were also a few show more truly dreadfully written stories, that were quite popular in their day, and reading them was fun in a different way. (I'll not give my opinion as to which stories were which, so as not to influence other readers.)

Overall, this is an excellent set of Victorian stories, giving a wide range of styles and tastes, with a short biography of the author at the start of the story. For anyone who enjoys Victorian lit, these stories (especially the lesser known gems among them) will make a wonderful read. show less

Invisible Hands by J D Carr illustrates how had it is to construct an impossible crime story. The structure is almost perfect but comes crashing down because of one tiny technical diificulty.

Nice collection of 14 mysteries from the victorian era. Some of the authors are well known , Others not as familiar , but overall an enjoyable collection,