Volume I contains the first three Thorndyke novels, published in 1907, 1911, and 1912, respectively. Set in London during the time that Sherlock Holmes was still in practice, these introduce us to Thorndyke and his world, as well as painting a vivid picture of the London of that era.
The Red Thumb Mark - In which Dr. Jervis encounters his old friend, Dr. Thorndyke. Soon after, they're drawn into a mystery where a man is accused of murder, and his own bloody thumbprint, evidence that cannot be denied, places him absolutely at the scene of the crime. As Thorndyke investigates, it becomes apparent that he is too much of a threat and must be removed.
The Eye of Osiris - Wherein a man vanishes and is presumed dead. But from where and when exactly did he disappear? That is the initial question, but by the end it's much more complex, with one of the most unique solutions in mystery history
The Mystery of 31 New Inn - Dr. Jervis is summoned at night by closed carriage to treat a gravely ill patient - but is he simply sick or being murdered? His suspicions continue to grow, and Thorndyke provides a unique solution. But that's only half, as the two also become involved in an unusual death related to a young man's inheritance.
When Sherlock Holmes began his practice as a Consulting Detective, his ideas of scientific criminal investigations caused the London police to look upon him as a mere theorist. And yet, through his work, the science behind catching criminals became so important that it's hard to now imagine the world without them.
Many famous Great Detectives followed in Holmes's footsteps - Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen, Hercule Poirot and Solar Pons - but before they began their careers, and while Holmes was still in practice in Baker Street, another London consultant - Dr. John Thorndyke - opened his doors, using the scientific methods developed and perfected by Holmes and taking them to a whole new level of brilliance.
Between 1905, with his first appearance in a nearly forgotten novella (see below), to 1942, and through the course of twenty-one novels and over forty short stories, Dr. Thorndyke, often with the assistance of his friend Dr. Christopher Jervis, unraveled some incredibly complex puzzles. Besides providing very satisfying mysteries - some of which turned the literary form inside out - these adventures present vivid pictures of England in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, ranging from the doctor's own vividly drawn chambers at 5A Kings Bench Walk in the Temple to the surrounding London streets, and beyond into the villages and towns of the countryside.
Many of the Thorndyke volumes have been difficult to obtain for decades. MX Publishing is proud to announce the return of Dr. Thorndyke in a collection of omnibus editions, bringing these masterful adventures of one of the world's greatest detectives together in an easily available format for modern readers.
Thorndyke will cheerfully show you all the facts. You will be none the wiser . . . .
- Dorothy L. Sayers, Chronicler of Lord Peter Wimsey
Introduction - Great Stories of Detection, Mystery, and Horror (1928)
Over the next few years, MX will publish the entire Dr. Thorndyke series. First up are these two books . . . .
Volume V contains the seventh, eighth, and ninth full-length Thorndyke adventures, published in 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively. With each subsequent narrative, Thorndyke's skills and abilities grown and amaze.
Volume III contains the remaining half of the Thorndyke Short Stories. These, along with the contents of 2018's Volume II (with the first half of the short stories and a few rare Apocryphal items), presents the complete short Thorndyke mysteries for a new generation.
In all, there are over forty Thorndyke short stories, spread over six books. This volume contains all twenty-five stories from the final three collections, Dr. Thorndyke's Casebook, The Puzzle Lock, and The Magic Casket.
Some of the stories in this book are especially famous, as Freeman was the first to use the inverted mystery, in which the criminal (and how he did it) are identified during the first half of the story, and the second half of the narrative shows how Thorndyke solves it, in spite of the criminal's every effort. (The inverted crime story was later used to great success by Columbo, as well as other detectives.)
Volume IX contains the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first full-length Thorndyke adventures, published in 1938, 1940, and 1942, respectively. With each subsequent narrative, Thorndyke's skills and abilities grown and amaze.
The Stoneware Monkey - A young doctor's encounter with a modern sculptor opens the door to the curious world of art that is terrible, and those who seriously promote it anyway as something of value. When the sculptor dies, Thorndyke spots the importance of his curious stoneware monkey - a talentless object containing the clue to the solution.
Mr. Polton Explains - After assisting Dr. Thorndyke in his many adventures, it's time for Nathaniel Polton to tell his own story: His humble upbringing, the apprenticeships where he learned his many skills, his nearly total downfall, and how he was rescued by Thorndyke. Then, an incident from his youth provides the solution to a modern mystery.
The Jacob Street Mystery - An artist is pestered by his new neighbor, an abrasive woman who wants his opinion about her paintings. Then one day she vanishes, leading to the revelation of a most unique killer
The first of three volumes of tales of crime and deduction
Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke was the principal character in a huge collection of detective fiction published between 1905 and 1942- the final novel appearing shortly before the death of his creator, the British author Dr. Richard Austin Freeman. Almost all of Freeman's literary output concerned his doctor detective and the similarities between author and character are marked. Indeed, Freeman used some of his own experiences as the foundation of some of his stories. There are 21 novels and 40 short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, but this Leonaur collection focusses on the shorter fiction, bringing them together in their entirety within three companion volumes. Thorndyke was originally a medical doctor, but in due course 'turned to the bar', becoming (according to the author) a 'medical jurispractioner'. Though the term was archaic, we understand the role in modern criminology readily. Freeman actually undertook the experiments he described to ensure they were legitimate. Whilst not as familiar, to many readers, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, it is difficult not to draw comparisions between Holmes and Thorndyke, though to what degree readers can decide for themselves! Enjoy then the adventures and decisive logic of the character once described as, ' the most impressive of the fictional sleuths'.
In volume one readers will discover, 'Pandora's Box', 'The Blue Sequin', 'The Magic Casket', 'The Dead Hand' and many other enthralling cases.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
Volume III contains the remaining half of the Thorndyke Short Stories. These, along with the contents of 2018's Volume II (with the first half of the short stories and a few rare Apocryphal items), presents the complete short Thorndyke mysteries for a new generation.
In all, there are over forty Thorndyke short stories, spread over six books. This volume contains all twenty-five stories from the final three collections, Dr. Thorndyke's Casebook, The Puzzle Lock, and The Magic Casket.
Some of the stories in this book are especially famous, as Freeman was the first to use the inverted mystery, in which the criminal (and how he did it) are identified during the first half of the story, and the second half of the narrative shows how Thorndyke solves it, in spite of the criminal's every effort. (The inverted crime story was later used to great success by Columbo, as well as other detectives.)
The final volume of the doctor detective's incredible case book
Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke was the principal character in a huge collection of detective fiction published between 1905 and 1942- the final novel appearing shortly before the death of his creator, the British author Dr. Richard Austin Freeman. Almost all of Freeman's literary output concerned his doctor detective and the similarities between author and character are marked. Indeed, Freeman used some of his own experiences as the foundation of some of his stories. There are 21 novels and 40 short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, but this Leonaur collection focusses on the shorter fiction, bringing them together in their entirety within three companion volumes. Thorndyke was originally a medical doctor, but in due course 'turned to the bar', becoming (according to the author) a 'medical jurispractioner'. Though the term was archaic, we understand the role in modern criminology readily. Freeman actually undertook the experiments he described to ensure they were legitimate. Whilst not as familiar, to many readers, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, it is difficult not to draw comparisions between Holmes and Thorndyke, though to what degree readers can decide for themselves! Enjoy then the adventures and decisive logic of the character once described as, ' the most impressive of the fictional sleuths'.
In volume three readers will discover, 'The Touchstone', 'The Puzzle Lock', 'The Old Lag', 'The Stalking Horse', 'The New Jersey Sphinx' and many other tales.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
A second outing for Dr. Thorndyke in this three volume set
Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke was the principal character in a huge collection of detective fiction published between 1905 and 1942- the final novel appearing shortly before the death of his creator, the British author Dr. Richard Austin Freeman. Almost all of Freeman's literary output concerned his doctor detective and the similarities between author and character are marked. Indeed, Freeman used some of his own experiences as the foundation of some of his stories. There are 21 novels and 40 short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, but this Leonaur collection focusses on the shorter fiction, bringing them together in their entirety within three companion volumes. Thorndyke was originally a medical doctor, but in due course 'turned to the bar', becoming (according to the author) a 'medical jurispractioner'. Though the term was archaic, we understand the role in modern criminology readily. Freeman actually undertook the experiments he described to ensure they were legitimate. Whilst not as familiar, to many readers, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, it is difficult not to draw comparisions between Holmes and Thorndyke, though to what degree readers can decide for themselves! Enjoy then the adventures and decisive logic of the character once described as, ' the most impressive of the fictional sleuths'.
In volume two readers will discover, 'The Mystery of the Sand Hill', 'The Blue Scarab', ' The Aluminium Dagger', 'The Mandararin's Pearl' and many other gripping cases.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
The first of three volumes of tales of crime and deduction
Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke was the principal character in a huge collection of detective fiction published between 1905 and 1942- the final novel appearing shortly before the death of his creator, the British author Dr. Richard Austin Freeman. Almost all of Freeman's literary output concerned his doctor detective and the similarities between author and character are marked. Indeed, Freeman used some of his own experiences as the foundation of some of his stories. There are 21 novels and 40 short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, but this Leonaur collection focusses on the shorter fiction, bringing them together in their entirety within three companion volumes. Thorndyke was originally a medical doctor, but in due course 'turned to the bar', becoming (according to the author) a 'medical jurispractioner'. Though the term was archaic, we understand the role in modern criminology readily. Freeman actually undertook the experiments he described to ensure they were legitimate. Whilst not as familiar, to many readers, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, it is difficult not to draw comparisions between Holmes and Thorndyke, though to what degree readers can decide for themselves! Enjoy then the adventures and decisive logic of the character once described as, ' the most impressive of the fictional sleuths'.
In volume one readers will discover, 'Pandora's Box', 'The Blue Sequin', 'The Magic Casket', 'The Dead Hand' and many other enthralling cases.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
Volume IV contains the fourth, fifth, and sixth Thorndyke novels, published in 1914, 1922, and 1923, respectively. Covering different periods in the doctor's career, each of these shows Thorndyke's skills at their finest.
Volume VI contains the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth Thorndyke novels, published in 1927, 1928, and 1930, respectively.
A Certain Dr. Thorndyke - Unique among the Thorndyke narratives, this story is as much an adventure tale as a mystery. A man falsely accused finds a new, exciting, and dangerous life on the African coast. But when he's ready to return home to England, only Dr. Thorndyke can clear his name.
As a Thief in the Night - What seems to be a routine death uncovers a trail to a past heartbreaking murder - and a most surprising killer who is willing to hide old secrets, even if it means killing Dr. Thorndyke as well
Mr. Pottermack's Oversight - A good man is driven by blackmail to terrible extremes. And by the slimmest of clues, he finds Dr. Thorndyke upon his trail . . . .
When Sherlock Holmes began his practice as a Consulting Detective, his ideas of scientific criminal investigations caused the London police to look upon him as a mere theorist. And yet, through his work, the science behind catching criminals became so important that it's hard to now imagine the world without them.
Many famous Great Detectives followed in Holmes's footsteps - Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen, Hercule Poirot and Solar Pons - but before they began their careers, and while Holmes was still in practice in Baker Street, another London consultant - Dr. John Thorndyke - opened his doors, using the scientific methods developed and perfected by Holmes and taking them to a whole new level of brilliance.
Between 1905, with his first appearance in a nearly forgotten novella (see below), to 1942, and through the course of twenty-one novels and over forty short stories, Dr. Thorndyke, often with the assistance of his friend Dr. Christopher Jervis, unraveled some incredibly complex puzzles. Besides providing very satisfying mysteries - some of which turned the literary form inside out - these adventures present vivid pictures of England in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, ranging from the doctor's own vividly drawn chambers at 5A Kings Bench Walk in the Temple to the surrounding London streets, and beyond into the villages and towns of the countryside.
Many of the Thorndyke volumes have been difficult to obtain for decades. MX Publishing is proud to announce the return of Dr. Thorndyke in a collection of omnibus editions, bringing these masterful adventures of one of the world's greatest detectives together in an easily available format for modern readers.
Thorndyke will cheerfully show you all the facts. You will be none the wiser . . . .
- Dorothy L. Sayers, Chronicler of Lord Peter Wimsey
Volume VII contains the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth Thorndyke novels, published in 1931, 1932, and 1933, respectively.
Pontifex, Son, and Thorndyke - Jasper Gray is an enterprising fellow going about his typical day when he's drawn into a series of curious events. Meanwhile, Thorndyke is consulted on a seemingly unrelated but unusual suicide. When their stories collide, Jasper's life will never be the same.
When Rogues Fall Out - A disagreement between thieves and a policeman doing his duty leads to the policeman's death. Thorndyke, Jervis, and Polton assist the official force to bring the killer to justice - and along the way investigate a most mysterious house . . . .
Dr. Thorndyke Intervenes - An old case has current consequences when a human head is abandoned in a train station. Before the investigation is concluded, a visit to an ancient crypt and explorations in ancient British mines will lead to a restored inheritance.
When Sherlock Holmes began his practice as a Consulting Detective, his ideas of scientific criminal investigations caused the London police to look upon him as a mere theorist. And yet, through his work, the science behind catching criminals became so important that it's hard to now imagine the world without them.
Many famous Great Detectives followed in Holmes's footsteps - Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen, Hercule Poirot and Solar Pons - but before they began their careers, and while Holmes was still in practice in Baker Street, another London consultant - Dr. John Thorndyke - opened his doors, using the scientific methods developed and perfected by Holmes and taking them to a whole new level of brilliance.
Between 1905, with his first appearance in a nearly forgotten novella (see below), to 1942, and through the course of twenty-one novels and over forty short stories, Dr. Thorndyke, often with the assistance of his friend Dr. Christopher Jervis, unraveled some incredibly complex puzzles. Besides providing very satisfying mysteries - some of which turned the literary form inside out - these adventures present vivid pictures of England in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, ranging from the doctor's own vividly drawn chambers at 5A Kings Bench Walk in the Temple to the surrounding London streets, and beyond into the villages and towns of the countryside.
Many of the Thorndyke volumes have been difficult to obtain for decades. MX Publishing is proud to announce the return of Dr. Thorndyke in a collection of omnibus editions, bringing these masterful adventures of one of the world's greatest detectives together in an easily available format for modern readers.
Thorndyke will cheerfully show you all the facts. You will be none the wiser . . . .
- Dorothy L. Sayers, Chronicler of Lord Peter Wimsey
Volume V contains the seventh, eighth, and ninth full-length Thorndyke adventures, published in 1924, 1925, and 1926, respectively. With each subsequent narrative, Thorndyke's skills and abilities grown and amaze.