Jacques Futrelle's "The Thinking Machine": The Enigmatic Problems of Prof. Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen, Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S., M.D., M.D.S.
by Jacques Futrelle
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Description
"This entertaining short story collection features Professor Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen, nicknamed "The Thinking Machine"-a brilliant but abrasive scientist who proves time and again that any puzzle can be solved by the application of logic. Could you beat the world chess master in one try if you'd never played or studied the game? Or plot and execute a successful escape from an inescapable prison cell? And could you do it at the turn of the twentieth century, without benefit of modern show more technology? Sound impossible? Never use that word in the presence of The Thinking Machine-it angers him greatly and does not give him a favorable impression of the user. Professor Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen knows that both feats are indeed possible, having accomplished them himself. But he also applies his superior intellect and deductive reasoning to more official ends-namely helping the police solve "impossible" crimes. With assistance from reporter Hutchinson Hatch, who is only too happy to suggest potential cases and then write about the outcome, The Thinking Machine proves that no puzzle is unsolvable-not corporate espionage, nor a kidnapped baby, nor a pilfered necklace, And certainly not a "perfect murder.""-- show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Probably Futrelle's best-know work but all his stuff is worth reading. The stories are clever, the hero's likable but a bit overbearing at times (but not to the degree of Sherlock Holmes or Professor Challenger whom you'd like to throttle for being such arrogant a-holes). Futrelle's style is clear, plain, and straight-forward. Nothing fancy. Which I like immensely.
An outstanding series of mystery-deduction stories. The hero is Professor S.F.X Van Deusen, aka "The Thinking Machine". I first read a book of some of those stories when I was young, and they made a pretty big impression on me. They're extremely clever and unique.
Futrelle himself was an interesting character, not least in the manner of his death: he was on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. With him, when he died, were several manuscripts for Thinking Machine stories - now lost forever, of course.
Jacques Futrelle's official site contains the full text of fifty Thinking Machine stories. I recommend starting with "The Problem of Cell 13". Yes, they're old, but they're really good.
Futrelle himself was an interesting character, not least in the manner of his death: he was on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. With him, when he died, were several manuscripts for Thinking Machine stories - now lost forever, of course.
Jacques Futrelle's official site contains the full text of fifty Thinking Machine stories. I recommend starting with "The Problem of Cell 13". Yes, they're old, but they're really good.
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Author Information
99+ Works 915 Members
Awards and Honors
Notable Lists
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Jacques Futrelle's "The Thinking Machine": The Enigmatic Problems of Prof. Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen, Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S., M.D., M.D.S.
- Original publication date
- 1907
- People/Characters
- Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen; Van Dusen; Hutchinson Hatch
- Important places
- England, UK
- First words
- It was absolutely impossible.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"I dug it out with a knife. Good night."
- Disambiguation notice
- ISBN 0812970144/9780812970142 - contains stories 'Enter: The Thinking Machine'; 'My First Experience with the Great Logician'; Dressing Room 'A'; The Problem of Cell 13; The Phantom Motor; The Mystery of the Grip of Death; Th... (show all)e Problem of the Hidden Million; The Ralston Bank Burglary; The Problem of the Auto Car; The Silver Box; The Jackdaw Girl; The Brown Coat; The Problem of the Stolen Rubens; The Fatal Cipher; The Superfluous Finger; The Motor Boat; The Problem of the Cross Mark.
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Statistics
- Members
- 175
- Popularity
- 185,403
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.56)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 5
