Showing results by author "R. Austin Freeman" in All Categories

In their first case together, "scientific investigator" Dr. John Thorndyke and his assistant, Dr. Jervis, work to clear young Reuben Hornby, accused of stealing a parcel of diamonds from his uncle's safe - and of leaving behind him a bloody thumbprint. Can Thorndyke prove that the new science of fingerprints is not quite the magic bullet that the authorities believe and clear his young client? And in the meantime, can he frustrate the attempts against his own life by some ingenious unknown adversary?

Dive into the intriguing world of Humphrey Challoner, an eccentric old man with a lifelong passion for collecting unique mammal specimens and human skeletons for his personal museum. His collection is peculiar, with no apparent theme or pattern. But when his friend, Dr. Wharton, inherits the collection following Challoners death, a chilling mystery unfolds. Unearth the dark secret binding this strange collection together in this gripping tale.

This is Freeman’s third mystery featuring pathologist-detective Dr John Thorndyke. Whilst presenting a new invention for increasing the efficiency of gas-buoys with his laboratory assistant Polton, Thorndyke is dragged into a mystery involving an elderly seafaring man who has gone missing in the fog.

'The Brazen Serpent' is an unusual crime story in that it is told from the perspective of the criminal. Danby, a young engineer and hobby metalsmith has just escaped from prison and is in search of a way to make a living while on the run. His friend Parmenter, a collector of antiquities and owner of a rare and valuable medallion which is his most prized possession, offers him a position running an antiques business he has just acquired.

R. Austin Freeman's famous forensic investigator, Dr. John Thorndyke, is asked by a former student to help on his first murder case. A prostitute has been murdered, and it seems a woman has done the heinous deed. Dr. Thorndyke helps find the actual murderer with the evidence available.

Wie kann man einen Mann mit einem Dolch erstechen, ohne dabei das Zimmer zu betreten, in welchem der Mord stattfand? Da die Polizei im Dunkeln tappt und zudem die Verlobte des Verstorbenen verdächtigt, bittet ihr Vater in seiner Verzweiflung den Meisterdetektiv um Hilfe.

Dr. Strangeways meets the only woman he has ever really cared for, the hermit-like yet mysterious Angelina Frood, a striking young actress stalked by many demons. Tragedy strikes and the good doctor will do anything to solve the mystery. Following a chance encounter, he begins a correspondence with the famous Dr. Thorndyke, hoping that the medico-legal hybrid, a metaphorical centaur or merman, with a doctor's head and a lawyer's tail, can solve the case.

Richard Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was a British writer of detective stories, mostly featuring the medico-legal forensic investigator Dr. Thorndyke. Freeman used some of his early experiences as a colonial surgeon in West Africa in his novels. The Case of the White Footprints is a murder mystery set in Margate. A lady has been found dead in her room in a boarding house.

Stephen Gray is a recent graduate of medicine. As he is walking through a sleepy English village he stumbles upon a tragedy involving a beautiful young girl and immediately becomes involved in assisting her. In doing so he enlists the help of his mentor, Dr. Thorndyke, a renowned forensic investigator. Thorndyke and his aide, Polton, use their skills to unravel a bizarre mystery with many intriguing twists and turns. (Summary by Howard Skyman)

Here we have another in the series of novels written by R. Austin Freeman featuring the character of Dr. John Thorndyke. The good doctor is a savvy experienced investigator who combines his detective, scientific and medical skills to hunt down the perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity. In this instance the love triangle between Mr. Purcell, his wife Maggie Purcell, and Daniel’s business associate and long time partner Mr. Varney creates tensions that spill over to violent actions. Dr. Thorndyke must piece together the relevant clues that will eventually lead him to a satisfactory ...

Can a detective novel succeed in riveting your attention if you know the crime beforehand and the perpetrator? Austin Freeman proves he can and this novel is one such by him where Dr Thorndyke unravels a mystery in his inimitable style - Summary by Yoganandh T

The brother of a lawyer is murdered apparently in an attempted robbery and by a sheer accident Ms Blake happens to be there, her life is in danger as she declared that she could recognize the murderer. Robert Anstey, the KC whose association with the medico-legal expert Dr Thorndyke had been there to and his interest in the case became two-fold - to help Thorndyke and to admire Ms Blake. - Summary by Yoganandh T

This is one of many famous novels written by R. Austin Freeman that includes the character of Dr. John Thorndyke. Dr. Thorndyke is a legal expert, medical expert and investigator all rolled into one gifted package. The story is told through the eyes of young Dr. Paul Berkley, a former student of Dr. Thorndyke who becomes acquainted with the family of a man named John Bellingham who had mysteriously disappeared some years previously. Mr. Bellingham was a renowned archaeologist and benefactor to the British museum who had left behind him an unresolved last will and testament that was in dispute ...

Detective John Thorndyke never disappoints when solving crime in this collection of Freeman's works. - Summary by A. K. Morton

Die attraktive Edith Grant wird brutal ermordet in einem Erste-Klasse-Zugabteil aufgefunden. Wenig später verhaftet die Polizei einen jungen Maler, der mit dem Opfer kurz zuvor in Streit geraten war und zudem ein Medaillon vom Tatort mitgenommen hat. Dessen Unschuld zu beweisen, stellt für Sherlock Holmes keine leichte Aufgabe dar, denn alles scheint gegen den Beschuldigten zu sprechen.

Stephen Gray, medico, è intento a raccogliere campioni di flora e fauna da uno stagno, quando ai suoi occhi si offre uno spettacolo raccapricciante. Appena sotto la superficie scorge il volto cereo di un uomo, il resto del corpo quasi completamente nascosto dalle piante. Si tratta dello scultore Julius D'Arblay, che la notte precedente non è rientrato a casa. Sembra esclusa l'ipotesi dell'incidente, data la scarsa profondità dello specchio d'acqua, o del malore improvviso, essendo improbabile che la vittima fosse andata a passeggiare al buio in un luogo così isolato; resta da valutare quella del suicidio.

Dr. Thorndyke is at his best, along with his friend Dr. Jervis, as they solve a series of mysteries and murders using logic and up-to-date criminal investigation methods. Trusting in science and the microscope, Dr. Thorndyke and Dr. Jervis travel together to aid the sometimes befuddled police.

In another of Freeman's revolutionary "inverted" detective stories, celebrated forensic investigator Dr. John Thorndyke examines the case of a man found dead in a cave at Margate, and the curious absence of the money lender attempting to make an insurance claim on the dead man's life.

As Christmas approaches, Mr. Percival Bland finds his criminal enterprises unraveling. Fortunately, though, his plan of escape requires little beyond a set of human bones and a quantity of shin of beef. But will his scheme deceive the great forensic investigator Dr. John Thorndyke?

The Assyrian Rejuvenator, published in 1907, is one of R. Austin Freeman's novels written under the name Clifford Ashdown and the first to feature well-known protagonist Dr. Thorndyke—a medical-legal forensic investigator. In this tale, inflated claims about the powers of an expensive elixir put private investigator Romney Pringle in pursuit of a ruthless con man. The trickster has reason to believe that his customers won't complain, but Pringle sets out to destroy the crooked business.