John Thorndyke's Cases
by R. Austin Freeman (1862–1943)
- Free to read
- 5 hours to read
- 9 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"John Thorndyke's Cases" by R. Austin Freeman is a collection of detective stories written in the early 20th century. This book introduces the main character, Dr. John Thorndyke, a medico-legal expert, who employs scientific methods and keen observations to solve various crimes, blending elements of mystery with real forensic techniques. The opening of the book sets a vivid scene in the lonely village of Little Sundersley, where Dr. Christopher Jervis, our narrator, embarks on a quiet seaside practice as Thorndyke arrives for a visit. Their leisurely beach stroll quickly turns into an investigation when they encounter a series of peculiar footprints that hint at foul play, leading to the discovery of a murder victim on the beach. As they analyze the footprints and other evidence around the body, the opening unfolds a complex narrative that introduces the themes of scientific inquiry and deductive reasoning, setting the stage for the thrilling mysteries to follow.
- London (England)
- Thorndyke, Doctor (Fictitious character)
- Physicians
- Detective and mystery stories, English
Read the opening
Chapter I
THE MAN WITH THE NAILED SHOES
There are, I suppose, few places even on the East Coast of England more lonely and remote than the village of Little Sundersley and the country that surrounds it. Far from any railway, and some miles distant from any considerable town, it remains an outpost of civilization, in which primitive manners and customs and old-world tradition linger on into an age that has elsewhere forgotten them. In the summer, it is true, a small contingent of visitors, adventurous in spirit, though mostly of sedate and solitary habits, make their appearance to swell its meagre population, and impart to the wide stretches of smooth sand that fringe its shores a fleeting air of life and sober gaiety; but in late September—the season of the year in which I made its acquaintance—its pasture-lands lie desolate, the rugged paths along the cliffs are seldom trodden by human foot, and the sands are a desert waste on which, for days together, no footprint appears save that left by some passing sea-bird.
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About this edition
This free edition of John Thorndyke's Cases by R. Austin Freeman comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #13882, released 2004-10-27. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, British Literature.
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