R. Austin Freeman (1862–1943)

I have been obsessed with Golden Age detective stories since I was 9 years old and found a box set of five Agatha Christie novels at a neighbor's garage sale. I was immediately hooked on detective stories, spreading out to encompass other greats like Arthur Conan Doyle and more contemporary crime fiction writers like Anne Perry, Robert B. Parker and Michael Connelly. I even delved into the adventurous side with Clive Cussler and the opposite, more gentle sub-genre, the cozy mystery. If there show more was any sleuthing going on, I was in line, eyes at the ready to read any and all that came my way. Everything from Trixie Belden to Dr. Kay Scarpetta....loved it all!

But, I missed a few great, classic writers while stampeding my way through many great writers of mysteries and mayhem. For instance, I had never read anything by Jacques Futrelle until this year. Futrelle wrote detective stories in the early 1900s. His well-known character, Professor Augustus S.F.X. Van Duren, was known as the The Thinking Machine. Futrelle died in the Titanic disaster in 1912 after publishing 7 detective novels and 50 short stories. I eagerly devoured Futrelle's writing, amazed that I had never come across his works before. I had the same feeling when I saw this anthology of Dr. Thorndyke stories available for review. Another great mystery writer that was new to me! I pounced eagerly on the chance to review this "best of'' collection. I'm glad I did!!

R. Austin Freeman wrote 22 novels and 40 short stories starring Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke from 1907 to 1942. Thorndyke is a doctor who uses his medical knowledge and experience to investigate crimes. Freeman's stories give details about the crime itself first, then follow Thorndyke as he unravels the mystery using scientific methods. I'm not sure how I missed Freeman's work during my 40 years of avid mystery reading....but I'm ecstatic that I have another classic detective character to enjoy! This anthology of stories whetted my appetite for enjoying the other books and stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke.

The 8 stories included in this anthology are: The Case of Oscar Brodski, A Case of Premeditation, The Echo of A Mutiny, The Mandarin's Pearl, The Blue Sequin, The Moabite Cipher, The Aluminum Dagger, and 31 New Inn.

These stories are definitely beautiful examples of the classic detective story, but with an added scientific approach. Lots of detail is given about Thorndyke's experiments and equipment, putting more emphasis on the science behind his sleuthing, rather than just powers of deduction. It's CSI 1900's style. I enjoy Freeman's writing. I found it refreshingly different. He brings his readers along for the crime, first detailing how the suspect commits the criminal act before setting Thorndyke on the trail to ferreting out the facts. It's like a backwards detective story. First he shows us who did it, how and why it was done, then details how Thorndyke can deduce that information from evidence at the crime scene.

I enjoyed all 8 of these stories! Despite their age, the stories remain quite readable and interesting. I found Freeman's style of detective story to be engaging and witty. I am definitely going to read the rest of the Dr. Thorndyke stories!

I highly recommend this anthology of Dr. Thorndyke stories to any fan of classic or golden age detective stories. It's an awesome introduction to a great writer and a fabulous classic detective!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy from Dover Publications via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own** show less

I read this book on my Droid using the Aldiko app.

This is the first Thorndyke book - I loved it. The scientific explanations and rationales given are solid (at least they seem to be - I'm no scientist!) and although Thorndyke himself is very Holmes-ish with the deductions, he is a more sympathetic character. (Forgive me, Sherlock. You know you're prickly.)

I also really like the fact that there is a gentle romance - not for Thorndyke, but for Jervis.

This entry in the Dr. Thorndyke series combined a great example of Thorndyke at work with the sort of adventure story that I love. Young Jasper Gray gets innocently caught up in the schemes of a group of ruffians and manages to save a beautiful girl. Thorndyke & Jervis are asked by their old friend Brodribb to assist him regarding a missing client. Due to certain features surrounding this disappearance, the reader is instantly aware that these two narratives are related though none of the show more main characters know this. It was such fun watching as Thorndyke proceeds to collect facts which slowly but surely build up the case and eventually the 2 plots become one story.

Freeman has had dual narratives before in the Thorndyke series but mostly in 2 completely separate sections. This book has the two points of view interwoven and it is done in such a skillful way - each plot line has its own interest (and I can see how some readers would prefer one over the other depending on personal taste) but the switch between them was handled smoothly. show less

While I quite enjoyed the second section, which involved Dr. Thorndyke and his investigation, the book as a whole felt like a short story which had been extended (perhaps due to pressure from the publisher?) to make it into a proper novel. I didn't dislike the first (and longer) section but it was unnecessary for the elucidation of the mystery.