The Mystery of 31 New Inn

When two apparently disconnected mysteries converge with mathematical precision to a single case the unique storytelling is a credit all by itself. Dr Jervis gets himself involved in a curious case of secret identity of a dying patient and after a while Dr Thorndyke is invited to a problem of a curious will of a dead man. With nothing but his acumen at his disposal, the legal expert with the medical background embarks to unearth both. While on the case of Dr Jervis a practical method of map building is presented where a person in a closed automobile can make out an approximate idea of where he is travelling with the help of a compass, a pen and a paper, a watch and with some hints of the sounds. The explanation is so clearly made that its applicability is established beyond doubt. Well, coming to the actual story it centres on two plots. The primary one is Jervis's apprehrnsion of foul play on a patient that he sees but cannot find the place all by himself. The other one is a curious will that, by a curious turn of coincidences, devoids the deserving of the sincere wishes of the deceased due to a redraft of the same. It remains upon the insight of the medico legal expert to solve the mysteries without a doubt. As these two incidents are slowly unfolding their truth threat comes on Jervis as an attempt on his life is made. So Thorndyke is forced to make the outdoor investigations mostly by himself while Jervis ponders on the cases staying indoors. As usual there is some help from the efficient Polton in fabricating certain gadgets required during the probings. But in this story there is some gaps in the sense it is never divulged how Thorndyke pinpointed on two witnesses who gave him some vital evidences. So though the story is precisely crafted but for this slight want of clarifications that are not given their due.

The Eye of Osiris

The case starts with the disappearance of a man suddenly with evidences found to indicate his presence in at least two places last but nobody seems to have a clear idea of where he visited last really. This seems to be a problem with his relatives due to the oddity in his will which makes it necessary he be found. The case becomes more complicated when after about a couple of years some human bones are found in several places that resembles the structure of the disappeared but there is not enough to have a definite idea. Also slowly doubt creeps in minds of people about foul play and subtle accusations stray publicly. So it remains upon the forensic expert to come to the rescue which he does but the twist remains that keeps him in the audience seat.
A story with mystery but with a romantic perspective that may sometime feel a little too much for a detective tale. The element of classics prevail dominant throughout and forensics only fill in the necessary gaps. But the slow yet steady rhytm characteristic of a serious crime drama remains always. Though the narrative is like any other of the series centering more on howdunit rather than whodunit but the surprise will surely be why done it in this case which is splendidly realistic yet horribly peculiar.

The Singing Bone

Named after one of the chapters in the collection of short stories it actually summarises the concept of the narratives. That the simple clue, which may be easily overlooked sometimes presents the critical solution to the investigator so as to rip the mystery apart, is the fundamental basis of forensic deductions. But the major difference that these mysteries present, is as briefed in the preface, is the inverted way of presenting the cases. Yes, excepting the last, all these are inverted detective fictions. Thus the four, The Case of Oscar Brodski, A Case of Premeditation, The Echo of a Mutiny, A Wastrel's Romance are presented not in the light of who did it but more correctly how they did it. The tiniest clue, the merest coincidence, the microscopic evidence, the chance remark, the curious oddities, all are utilized to the fullest and with seriousness to narrow down the events and pinpoint the perpetrators. It is true that not apprehends the criminal, which frankly speaking will be surprisingly satisfying, but in each case the happenings are completely explained. Infact, the theory put forward by the detective is so close to the actual events that the error is negligibly small. Contrasting to these four The Old Lag is a proper who and how done it where Thorndyke actually takes an interest in unmasking the villain rather than stopping at unravelling the mystery only. Related partly by Jarvis, all the stories presents a humane part where the evil rather than criminals is punished. With proper mix of romance, with Polton assisting as required the anecdotes are charming yet thrilling. The forensic investigations will hold the appeal heightened by the inverted way of relating the events that though makes most of the criminals revealed at the beginning yet keeps the suspense of finding out fashionable enjoyable.

For the Defence: Dr. Thorndyke

A classic inverted detective story featuring Dr. John Thorndyke accompanied by Dr. Jervis. The facts of the case is presented in great detail in the first part and it is at a very late stage that the investigator arrives. It is really a revelation how true facts can, under unfortunate circumstances, may present itself looking as improbable as ever. But if the seeker of truth is sincere enough then the bits of convincing evidences will surely be unearthed presenting a near fantastic yet truthful picture. This is what happens in this case where an honest man is convicted twice under different charges but is freed from both thanks to the research of the defence. Infact the second charge of murder seems to be cleared completely if it is proven that the supposed murder is of the man who is actually convicted and thus an impossible situation ia demanded. The final chapter is thus a fast paced gripping scene where though the truth is apprehended yet the thrill remains till the climax. Though several characters seem too much simplified but master storytelling is to be appreciated based on the fact that a suspense is created with all the cards laid on the table. There lies the skill of the author who actually invented this particular genre.

A Silent Witness

A curious case presents itself starting with a vanishing deadbody that continues with a series of attempts in the life of a person without any apparent motive. But convenient coincidences pile up to ascertain the importance of something which seems to make sense only to the expert. Narrated from the perspective of Jardine, the story flows with a slow but sure rhythm that fascinates the readers as mystery unfolds while the solution too is hinted in more than one instances. Unlike the usual narrator Dr. Jervis, the beauty of the story lies in Jardine's revelations of not only Dr. Thorndyke's skills but also his own maturity that had in store some surprises for him. The forensics of the case are equally surprising and shows the analytical mind's supremacy in establishing the truth that is literally dug out from the ashes. The ever enthusiastic Polton plays his part with his versatility ranging from kitchen to laboratory while Dr. Jervis freshens the mood while particiapting in the adventure. Thus a fine story, woven at the time when the instruments of science were not so developed as today, fascinates the readers with the extent of innovation within the boundary of technology that achieves the apparently impossible.

The Case of the White Footprints

Though I've been a fan of Throndyke's for quite some time but this short story fell really short of expectations. Showcasing Dr. Jervis in a prominent role, the clumsy clue left by a careful murderer made the story rather lame. How the crime was actually committed? How the criminal actually made his way in? The convenient evidence put forward at the right time? Some redundant sneer at coloured people.... all these made the narrative not a good mystery story.

John Thorndyke's Cases

Eight curious cases each more peculiar than the preceding one but in no way less absorbing has been arranged in this compilation according to

• The Man with the Nailed Shoes
• The Stranger's Latchkey
• The Anthropologist at Large
• The Blue Sequin
• The Moabite Cipher
• The Mandarin's Pearl
• The Aluminium Dagger
• A Message from the Deep Sea

With precise methods and an eye towards detail, the forensic investigator Dr. Thorndyke solves cases that baffles the ordinary minds. Criminals are never spared and the innocent are saved as Thorndyke produces evidence that leads to the ultimate truth. Told from Dr. Jervis' perspective, the short stories are made even more realistic by H.M. Brock's fantastic drawings that breathes life to the story. But the most important facet of the writing is that, though categorised under mystery fictions, but attention is given to the way the evidences are collected and the truth is obtained. Thus analytical aspect of the stories make them league apart from ordinary medical mystery novels. The philosophy of Dr. Thorndyke, not only on the importance of evidence, but also on the way it is being sampled remains a guideline for the analytic mind. Each story, albeit a fiction, is both entertaining and intellectually satisfying.

The Red Thumb Mark

I’d read about Dr. Thorndyke in one of the Bengali translations - most probably by Hemendra Kumar Roy, at an very early age, but had remembered the distinct class of the style which was a kind of reverse detection and Richard Austin Freeman, the creator seemed to have pioneered it. Though I love mystery stories of the straight type but as I aged, this had still lingered in my memories as was evident when I came across one of his collections from the cyber world. Soon after this, I also found this novel. I’m glad that this was a type of straight detective novels where the perpetrator of crime was unveiled at the very last. Slightly monotonous at places but gradually racing to its climax, the criminal was obvious from the middle. Infact it was so obvious that I started to doubt the innocent persons as to be the evils. But having said that it must also be said that this obviousness to the villain does not, in any way, diminish the beauty of the story as the technique of the crime, when explained, as well as certain other technical aspects gives much food for thought and the mystery evolves not in the actual crime but the way it was committed. Finally, it must also be said that the old Victorian touch to the story offers a relief from the current mystery stories that are more adventurous than brainstorming.