Dr. Thorndyke
The Red Thumb Mark (1907): John Hornby is the proud owner of a dazzling diamond business and when his nephews go into business with him, they are determined to be given their full share of responsibility. A consignment of diamonds is entrusted to the nephews who place their precious hoard in a safe overnight. But come the morning, the diamonds are missing and incredibly, the safe has been left untouched, all except for two blood smeared thumb prints and the inevitable presence of a mysterious Mr X. In one of Freeman's finest, will Dr Thorndyke, the erudite master of insight solve the enigma of the red thumb mark?
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/11128
John Thorndyke's Cases (1909), published in the USA as Dr. Thorndyke's Cases: In this intriguing collection of detective stories, Richard Austin Freeman presents yet another batch of entertaining, clever mysteries to tempt and tease the curious mind. From robbery and murder to mayhem, Freeman takes the reader through a myriad of beguiling scenarios and asks whodunit, with the aid of the erudite Dr Thorndyke.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13882
The Eye of Osiris (1911), published in the USA as The Vanishing Man: The Eye of Osiris is an early example from the Dr. Thorndyke series of detective stories written by R. Austin Freeman. In these stories, the author drew on his extensive medical and scientific knowledge for his main character, a medico-legal expert who relies on forensic evidence and logical deduction in solving cases. In this case, Thorndyke steps in to investigate the disappearance of one John Bellingham, an English gentleman and amateur Egyptologist, who has vanished under very mysterious circumstances. Thorndyke’s involvement in the case arises from a both purely professional interest in the unique character of the case, as well as from the fact that a young doctor and former student of his has recently become closely acquainted with the missing man’s brother and niece.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24201
The Mystery of 31 New Inn (1912): The story opens with a financially-struggling physician, Dr. Jervis, who is drawn into the strange medical case of an apparently hermit-like, desperately ill patient whom is ultimately found dead. The doctor's benefactor, new partner, and man-about-town, Dr. John Thorndyke, coincidentally takes on the case of a possibly fraudulent will for a prominent law firm and decides that the two cases are connected. A laundry list of clues, evidence, and testing of the facts ensues. This mystery is told in first person, a very difficult task for any writer.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12187
The Singing Bone (1912), published in the USA as The Adventures of Dr Thorndyke: In the topsy turvy world of The Singing Bone, Richard Austin Freeman presents us with a solution. The reader is asked to deduce how different mysteries were solved rather than whodunit. Freeman introduces five distinct tales of intrigue, romance, mutiny and murder. The ingenuity of these detective stories lies in their fresh and original approach in what amounts to a tantalising read. Google limited preview
A Silent Witness (1914): On a wet and windy silent night in the sleeping city of London, the body of a man is found sprawled across Millfield Lane. So begins an ill wind and the puzzle of an intriguing stranger in this enchanting Dr Thorndyke mystery.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301591.txt
Helen Vardon's Confession (1922): Through the open door of a library, Helen Vardon hears an argument that changes her life forever. Helen's father and a man called Otway argue over missing funds in a trust one night. Otway proposes a marriage between him and Helen in exchange for his cooperation and silence. What transpires is a captivating tale of blackmail, fraud and death. Dr Thorndyke is left to piece together the clues.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500511.txt
The Cat's Eye (1923): When Andrew Drayton, a collector of jewellery, is found stabbed to death and the young woman who tried to stop the murderer is wounded, Dr Thorndyke is called in to investigate. But although the scene of the crime seems awash with the fingerprints of the attacker, there may be good reason why the police can't trace the killer. However, not only are the facts of the case proving to be vexing, but the discovery of a secret chamber and its sinister contents help to reveal that this is no ordinary murder and no ordinary murderer is behind it.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700841.txt
The Shadow of the Wolf (1925): In this delightful collection of short detective stories, Richard Austin Freeman should truly satisfy the inquisitive reader's mind, taking us through incredible twists and turns with the ever-likeable Dr Thorndyke. This comprehensive collection presents some of the most intriguing short stories Freeman wrote.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500491.txt
The D'Arblay Mystery (1926): When a man is found floating beneath the skin of a green-skimmed pond one morning, Dr Thorndyke becomes embroiled in an astonishing case. This wickedly entertaining detective fiction reveals that the victim was murdered through a lethal injection and someone out there is trying a cover-up.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0701271.txt
A Certain Dr. Thorndyke (1927): A winding adventure that begins in an exotic, teasing location. Richard Austin Freeman introduces the reader to the delights of an extraordinary jewel heist. Hollis is a retired soap manufacturer, richer than Croesus and some say mad. Obsessed with amassing wondrous jewels, precious stones and bullion, Hollis chooses a strong room to deposit his dazzling hoard. But when he discovers that he's the victim of an elaborate and enigmatic robbery, even though the room was never broken into, Dr Thorndyke is summoned to bring his unrivalled knowledge to bear on a remarkable mystery.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500351.txt
As A Thief in the Night (1928):Harold Monkhouse is usually such an uncomplaining patient so when his brother Amos calls in one night, what he doesn't expect is to see him at Death's door. Suspicions aroused, he demands an urgent second opinion. And when Harold is later found dead from arsenic poisoning, Amos is left in no doubt that foul play is afoot. The inquiry begins and Barbara Monkhouse is soon singled out as the prime suspect. What ensues is a roller coaster ride into crime fiction at its best as the truth of the fateful night eludes even the best of detective minds. Could it be a simple case of wife poisoning husband - or is it just possible that another shadowy figure stole into Harold's room, as a thief in the night, to rid the world of an innocent man?
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700851.txt
The Famous Cases of Dr. Thorndyke (1928), published in the USA as The Dr Thorndyke Omnibus:
Thorndyke anthology with several hard-to-find titles. Includes Meet Dr. Thorndyke, The Eye of Osiris, The Art of the Detective Story, The Mystery of Angelina Frood, 5A King's Bench Walk, and Mr. Pottermack's Oversight.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500391.txt
Mr. Pottermack's Oversight (1930): Mr Pottermack is a law abiding, settled homebody who has nothing to hide until the appearance of the shadowy Lewison, a gambler and blackmailer with an incredible story. It appears that Pottermack is in fact a run away prisoner, convicted of fraud and Lewison is about to spill the beans unless he receives a large bribe in return for his silence. But Pottermack protests his innocence, and resolves to shut Lewison up once and for all. Will he do it? And if he does, will he get away with it?
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks08/0800011.txt
Pontifex, Son and Thorndyke (1931): This puzzling plot is related by two different characters: messenger boy Jasper Gray, who experiences several strange adventures, and Dr Jervis, friend of Dr Thorndyke. Dr Thorndyke is investigating a terrible crime, the solving of which remains elusive because of key facts remaining unknown. He needs the facts to confirm his case: Jasper could complete the blank spaces if only Thorndyke were aware of his existence.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500381.txt
When Rogues Fall Out (1932), published in the USA as Dr. Thorndyke's Discovery: Meet Mr Toke, a dubious connoisseur of fine antiques who deals in fabulous objets d'art and doesn't mind how he acquires them. From stealing bejewelled necklaces to rare antique clocks, Mr Toke cons a host of gullible individuals out of priceless heirlooms. But then he meets Mr Arthur Hughes and before long, the scam spirals out of control. Then there's the case of the murdered Inspector Badger. Will Dr Thorndyke be able to solve the crime with his legendary incisive rationale? When Rogues Fall Out incorporates some wonderful conundrums to hoodwink and hinder the most clued of crime readers.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500501.txt
For the Defence: Dr. Thorndyke (1934): This is the story of Andrew, a handsome artist living with his beautiful wife. Andrew witnesses a man being shot one night by two masked assailants and on the advice of his wife, decides to remain silent about what he has seen. But when a meeting with his cousin Ronald proves to be fatal, Andrew finds himself suspecting foul play, as Ronald lies crushed on beach sands. And soon, Andrew is a suspect himself.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301521.txt
The Penrose Mystery (1936): Penrose is an eccentric old man in possession of some dazzling gems, which he won't insure. When Dr Thorndyke is alerted to a burglary at his house, a scrap of paper is found with the word 'lobster' on it and two Latin words, and Penrose has fled in panic after a car accident. The police are clearly mystified but Thorndyke in his indelible style is on track, hunting down a fugitive, testing a theory and getting to the bottom of a tantalising, complex mystery.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700801.txt
Felo de Se (1937), published in the USA as Death At The Inn: John Gillam was a gambler. John Gillam faced financial ruin and was the victim of a sinister blackmail attempt. John Gillam is now dead. In this exceptional mystery, Dr Thorndyke is brought in to untangle the secrecy surrounding the death of John Gillam, a man not known for insanity and thoughts of suicide.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500361.txt
The Stoneware Monkey (1938): novel of two halves, this story opens with Dr James Oldfield who finds himself caught one night in a police hunt. When he stumbles upon a policeman, struck dead by an unknown assailant, Oldfield determines to piece together what happened, and who Mr Kempster, (a man who turns up at the scene of the crime) may be. What unravels is a story of ingenious theft involving diamonds and the remains of an artist's body found in a kiln. In the second part, Oldfield engages the help of Dr Thorndyke and together they trace the work of the artist and a valuable stoneware monkey that hides an incredible secret. In the back streets of London amongst colonies of silk weavers, cabinet-makers and craftsmen, Freeman deftly entwines a cunning story infused with palpable suspense. From the father of forensic crime fiction, this plot is chock full of vivid detail.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700811.txt
Mr. Polton Explains (1940): Told through the eyes of a watchmaker, Dr Thorndyke is once again faced with a nettly mystery involving a mysterious fire in a Soho house filled with supposedly inflammable objects. What transpires is an entertaining and amazing twist thanks to the eagle eyes of the Doctor and his friend the watchmaker, Mr Polton.
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500371.txt
The Jacob Street Mystery (1942), published in the USA as The Unconscious Witness: In this intriguing collection of detective stories, Richard Austin Freeman presents yet another batch of entertaining, clever mysteries to tempt and tease the curious mind. From robbery and murder to mayhem, Freeman takes the reader through a myriad of beguiling scenarios and asks whodunit, with the aid of the erudite Dr Thorndyke.http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500481.txt
Other novels and short story collections
The Uttermost Farthing (1913), published in the USA as A Savant's Vendetta: Humphrey Challoner had a formidable reputation in criminal anthropology. An intelligent savant devoted to science and his wife, he decides to tell the story of her tragic demise at the hands of a brutal murderer. What Challoner reveals leaves us with a feeling profound sympathy for a man who seems a victim of violent misfortune. But Challoner is not all that he seems and when he dies leaving the narrator with a rather unusual estate, a gruesome tale unfolds of venomous revenge and a perverse justice of a man driven past logic into a state of hell.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12028
The Great Portrait Mystery (1918): The National Portrait Gallery is the opening setting for this delightful mystery of theft and fraud. A painter copies diligently from a watercolour one morning when an enigmatic musician suddenly appears and causes mayhem with his musical interludes, hopping from one picture to another and giving a remarkable rendition of different songs. But while the curator follows him around trying to call a halt to the musical spectacle, the copyist replaces a watercolour masterpiece and makes an infamous escape. Who is the mysterious musician? Who is the mysterious copyist? And what has happened to the priceless watercolour?
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500471.txt
