Dictionary of Communications Technology Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations Book

DEATH, STOLEN GOLD AND JEWELS IN EDWARDIAN ENGLAND

Here we have five short stories in one slim volume—mysteries penned by British authors. With a sketch of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on the cover readers can expect a literary treat. “The Boscombe Valley Mystery” takes the duo out to the country to solve a foul murder. Holmes proffers his sleuthing philosophy: a warning against being swayed by circumstantial evidence; he asserts that obvious facts can be deceptive (a case of false accusation. Once again he demonstrates that his craft is “the observation of trifles.”

Dual-authored “Mr. Bovey’s Unexpected Will” concerns the brazen theft and clever hiding place of a fortune in gold. Narrated in the first person by a doctor-observer/confident this story presents a female detective who gleefully undertakes “tasks both herculean and ghastly.”

“Arnold Bennett’s “A Bracelet at Bruges” offers an intriguing
theft of a costly bracelet on the Continent. American movie stars’ outrageous behavior is depicted, as the amateur sleuths are pitted against a pair of crafty European grifters.

Jewels are again featured in Baroness Orczy’s “Who Stole the Black Diamonds?” The impoverished monarchs of a European country called “Bohemia” offer a priceless PARURE (matched set of necklace and tiara) which is mysteriously stolen from a country home during a glittering party--and later shows up on the lovely person of a rich American widow. (All Americans seem to be fabulously wealthy—a common misconception by early 20th century British writers.)

Lastly another “colorful” mystery serving up death on the railway, “The Blue Sequin” is presented in the first person by a diffident, observer/companion. Is it murder, with the usual False Accusation--or a case of Death by Misadventure? How could ox gall help settle the issue? As usual the constabulary gets it all wrong…

September 29, 2014