Dieser Autor erlangte Berühmtheit durch seine Kriminalromane, die häufig im Bereich der forensischen Wissenschaft angesiedelt waren und die Figur des Dr. Thorndyke aufwiesen. Sein Stil zeichnet sich durch die sorgfältige Einbeziehung von echtem, wenn auch oft obskurem, wissenschaftlichem Wissen aus Bereichen wie Tropenmedizin, Metallurgie und Toxikologie aus. Er zog aus seinen frühen Erfahrungen als Kolonialchirurg, um seine Erzählungen zu bereichern, und gilt als Erfinder des „umgekehrten Kriminalromans“, bei dem das Verbrechen zu Beginn enthüllt wird und die nachfolgende Handlung sich auf die Bemühungen des Detektivs konzentriert, das Rätsel zu lösen.
„CSI vor hundert Jahren - mit Dr. Thorndyke gelangt die Forensik in den Kriminalroman.“ Krimi-couch Wie bestimmt man den genauen Todeszeitpunkt, wenn die Leiche unauffindbar ist? Für Dr. Thorndyke stellt sich genau diese Frage, denn John Bellingham, ein bekannter Ägyptologe, ist spurlos verschwunden.
Dr. John Thorndyke, a forensic expert and detective, finds himself embroiled in the perplexing case of the missing D'Arblay Jewel, a valuable French manuscript. As he investigates its mysterious disappearance, Thorndyke employs his medical knowledge and deductive reasoning to untangle the web of intrigue. R. Austin Freeman, a pioneer of scientific detective fiction, crafts a compelling narrative that blends forensic science with a captivating plot, showcasing his talent for creating intricate puzzles and solidifying his influence in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
The book features Dr. Thorndyke, a medico-legal forensic investigator created by Richard Austin Freeman, who is known for pioneering the inverted detective story format. In these narratives, the crime and perpetrator are revealed at the outset, focusing instead on the detective's unraveling of the mystery. Freeman draws on his experiences as a colonial surgeon, weaving in authentic scientific knowledge from fields like tropical medicine, metallurgy, and toxicology, enriching the plots with genuine forensic details.
Volume VII features the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth Thorndyke novels, published in 1931, 1932, and 1933. In "Pontifex, Son, and Thorndyke," Jasper Gray's ordinary day spirals into a series of strange events, intersecting with Thorndyke's investigation of an unusual suicide, forever altering Jasper's life. "When Rogues Fall Out" unfolds as a disagreement between thieves and a policeman leads to the latter's death. Thorndyke, Jervis, and Polton work with the police to bring the murderer to justice while exploring a mysterious house. In "Dr. Thorndyke Intervenes," an old case resurfaces when a human head is discovered at a train station, prompting a journey through an ancient crypt and British mines that ultimately restores a lost inheritance. Dr. John Thorndyke, a contemporary of Sherlock Holmes, employs scientific methods to solve complex mysteries, often with the help of his friend Dr. Christopher Jervis. Spanning from 1905 to 1942, Thorndyke's adventures present intricate puzzles and vivid depictions of late Victorian and early Edwardian England, from his chambers to the surrounding countryside. Many Thorndyke volumes have been hard to find, but MX Publishing is reintroducing these classic tales in omnibus editions for modern readers. "Thorndyke will cheerfully show you all the facts. You will be none the wiser . . . ." - Dorothy L. Sayers.