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In "Inspector French's Greatest Case," Freeman Wills Crofts masterfully weaves a tale of intricate criminal investigation and intellectual momentum that epitomizes the classic detective fiction of the early 20th century. The novel follows the astute Inspector French as he unravels a perplexing murder mystery where every clue could mislead or enlighten. Crofts' crisp narrative style and meticulous attention to detail invite readers to engage deeply with the plot, showcasing a dual emphasis on both character development and plot mechanics. Set against the backdrop of post-World War I Britain, the book reflects the changing societal norms and the burgeoning interest in forensic science that cha...
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Seymour Merriman, the junior partner in a firm of London wine merchants, is traveling by motorcycle from Avignon to Bordeaux when his vacation grinds to a sudden halt. Out of gas, he follows a passing truck to a mill where an English firm manufactures pit-prop supports for coal mines. He's given two liters of gas and is about to depart when he notices something peculiar — the truck he followed was marked No. 4, but now it's labelled No. 3. His curiosity piqued, Seymour makes some inquiries that draw him and his friend, Claud Hilliard, further into intrigue. The amateur sleuths are certain that the Pit-Prop Syndicate is a front for some kind of illegal activity, and when a member of the Syn...
"One of the classics of modern crime fiction." — The New York Times While London dockworkers are struggling to unload a shipment of French wine, one of the heavy casks falls, shatters and reveals its cargo—sawdust, gold coins, and a female corpse. But by the time the police arrive, the barrel has vanished along with its macabre contents. Enter Inspector Burnley of Scotland Yard, who traces the cask to Paris, where he enlists the help of detective M. Lefarge of the Sûreté. Together, they hunt for the identity of the anonymous victim and her devious killer, traversing a maze of clues, alibis, red herrings, and lies. This top-notch procedural, along with Agatha Christie's first novel, marked the start of the golden age of the detective story. Freeman Wills Crofts, one of the "Big Four" mystery writers of the era, provides fascinating insights into early twentieth-century methods of murder investigation as well as atmospheric glimpses of the shipping business in London and Paris in the years after World War I.
In "British Murder Mysteries - The Freeman Wills Crofts Collection," readers are immersed in a world of intricate plotting and meticulous detail characteristic of early 20th-century detective fiction. Crofts, known for his pioneering use of the police procedural format, combines compelling narratives with a focus on deductive reasoning and forensic practices, elevating the murder mystery genre. This collection encapsulates the essence of literary craftsmanship, offering a diverse array of tales that not only entertain but provoke deeper reflections on justice and morality within the societal context of post-Victorian Britain. Freeman Wills Crofts (1879-1957) was a pivotal figure in the devel...
When the almost cremated remains of its three inmates are discovered an inquest is held and a verdict of accidental death arrived at. However, some weeks later an incident occurs which arouses suspicion in a bank manager and Inspector French is called in.