Pontifex, Son and Thorndyke

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 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 show more 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

4.5*
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 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 show more 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

An ingenious mystery featuring scientific detective,Doctor Thorndyke. A young lad working as a messenger and delivery boy finds himself in the middle of an adventure involving abduction and attempted murder. At the same time Thorndyke and his friend Doctor Jervis are drawn into the investigation of the death of Sir Edward Hardcastle. The body of Hardcastle has been discovered hanging in an empty and abandoned house. The question to be answered is, suicide or murder ?.
As is usual with the Dr Thorndyke stories, the reader is treated to much detailed scientific data,and depending on the readers tastes in this type of thing,will either (as I do) find it quite fascinating or dry as dust and off-putting.

A mystery from two points of view. Firstly, Jasper Gray, 17, a messenger boy and his various adventures which might fill in the gaps of the second. That of Dr Jervis and his help to Dr. Thorndyke as he investigates the death of Sir Edward Hardcastle.
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in 1931