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The Skeleton Talks
255 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1933
About the author
Frederick G. Eberhard
8 books1 followerEberhard was a medical doctor who used his knowledge of science to craft his mystery novels. He died in Three Rivers, Michigan and is buried in South Whitley, Indiana.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 28, 2023
This Frederick Eberhard mystery first published in 1933 is fantastic entertainment for fans of old radio. That is because the story reads like one of those old radio shows of adventure and suspense from the 1930s, before the hardboiled mystery began making inroads.
Mystery writer Braxton Hicks is famous for his puzzling thrillers where only in the last moment is the true killer revealed. His latest work, The Skeleton Talks, is as yet unpublished. When he is found slumped over his typewriter, dead, man-about-town Bradley Holmes suspects murder. Cops O'Grady and Harrison suspect Braxton Hicks of murdering Doctor Dyer, then killing himself. They also entertain the idea that he died of natural causes.
There is a madman on the loose known as the "Hawk" and it isn't long before Holmes not only proves his pal Hicks was murdered himself, but that the deformed creature known as the Hawk has something to do with it.
A missing manuscript, a jealous author, and a grieving widow all play a part in this fun but (now) old-fashioned mystery. The most fun, however, involves the search for the Hawk. It is a chase filled with danger that will lead Holmes and his police pal to the dark catacombs of an old mausoleum and the Hawk's lair.
Just like any good old radio show from this era, there are trap doors and secret panels, skeletons and terrific danger. This is a fun book for fans of old radio, and those who read a lot of books from this era. Others may find the writing style a bit archaic, however, and the story less appealing. I think it's a blast. Fans of that almost now forgotten theatre of the imagination, old radio, won't be able to put this one down. Loads of fun for the "right" reader, but probably less appealing for others.
Mystery writer Braxton Hicks is famous for his puzzling thrillers where only in the last moment is the true killer revealed. His latest work, The Skeleton Talks, is as yet unpublished. When he is found slumped over his typewriter, dead, man-about-town Bradley Holmes suspects murder. Cops O'Grady and Harrison suspect Braxton Hicks of murdering Doctor Dyer, then killing himself. They also entertain the idea that he died of natural causes.
There is a madman on the loose known as the "Hawk" and it isn't long before Holmes not only proves his pal Hicks was murdered himself, but that the deformed creature known as the Hawk has something to do with it.
A missing manuscript, a jealous author, and a grieving widow all play a part in this fun but (now) old-fashioned mystery. The most fun, however, involves the search for the Hawk. It is a chase filled with danger that will lead Holmes and his police pal to the dark catacombs of an old mausoleum and the Hawk's lair.
Just like any good old radio show from this era, there are trap doors and secret panels, skeletons and terrific danger. This is a fun book for fans of old radio, and those who read a lot of books from this era. Others may find the writing style a bit archaic, however, and the story less appealing. I think it's a blast. Fans of that almost now forgotten theatre of the imagination, old radio, won't be able to put this one down. Loads of fun for the "right" reader, but probably less appealing for others.
June 29, 2012
The Skeleton Talks is one of those rare books that pops up once in a while that completely captures both a particular time period and the timelessness of a simple, fun mystery story. The story opens on a police squad talking about a novelist named Braxton Hicks, a man whose penchant for sealed rooms and strange murders has made him famous. Soon, the squad learns that Hicks is dead and his friend Doctor Dyer has been stabbed to death near the body. It appears to be an open and shut case, but when detective Holmes gets involved, it becomes obvious that the deaths were the work of a criminal genius.
The solution to the case is quite unusual and creative. The way that the disappearances in relation to the case and murders occurred is rather gruesome and chilling.
There are times when the book is fun because of the banter between the characters. The book is a product of its time in that it captures the dialogue of the era. Most of the fun lies in the mystery and trying to solve the case before the brilliant detective. Sometimes information seems to come to him out of nowhere and sometimes there are lengthy explanations to fantastic events, but these do not detract from the story. After all, those who read this book are doing so for fun, not to learn anything.
The solution to the case is quite unusual and creative. The way that the disappearances in relation to the case and murders occurred is rather gruesome and chilling.
There are times when the book is fun because of the banter between the characters. The book is a product of its time in that it captures the dialogue of the era. Most of the fun lies in the mystery and trying to solve the case before the brilliant detective. Sometimes information seems to come to him out of nowhere and sometimes there are lengthy explanations to fantastic events, but these do not detract from the story. After all, those who read this book are doing so for fun, not to learn anything.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews