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The Mysterious Card #1-2
The Mysterious Card and The Mysterious Card Unveiled
This volume collects Moffett's two classic "riddle stories." In the first, a card given to the narrator seems to bring about catastrophic events. The second offers an explanation of paranormal interest.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1896
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 3, 2023
While reading The Technique of the Mystery Story by Carolyn Wells, a hopelessly outdated instruction book which still serves as an interesting window to the dawn of detective fiction, this short story caught my eye. A surprising tale of mystery which left fans at the time begging for more.
The tale excels in its simplicity. A New Yorker dines in a French restaurant, only to be disturbed by a charming rich lady. She gives him a card and walks away. He looks at the card, French words don its canvas and he doesn’t know a lick of French. Puzzled by this card, he asks around to find its content. Imagine his shock when everyone who reads it, looks at him in horror and never wants to speak to him again.
The reason why I wanted to read this was simple: how could a short story without an ending be so engaging that fans waited anxiously for an entire year to read the sequel? The answer is actually quite simple. First of all, everybody loves a good riddle. While this is a bit dated, both in story and writing, the entertainment value has stood the test of time. It is intriguing, engaging and fast-paced. Second, people used to be a lot more patient. Right now, we are showered with quality stories. Back then, it was slim pickings. If there was a gem to be found in the ocean, that ocean was simply a lot smaller.
Would I recommend this story? Absolutely. It is a captivating little blast from the past. Just don’t expect it to knock your socks off. Because the second part isn't as strong as the first part, in my opinion.
The tale excels in its simplicity. A New Yorker dines in a French restaurant, only to be disturbed by a charming rich lady. She gives him a card and walks away. He looks at the card, French words don its canvas and he doesn’t know a lick of French. Puzzled by this card, he asks around to find its content. Imagine his shock when everyone who reads it, looks at him in horror and never wants to speak to him again.
The reason why I wanted to read this was simple: how could a short story without an ending be so engaging that fans waited anxiously for an entire year to read the sequel? The answer is actually quite simple. First of all, everybody loves a good riddle. While this is a bit dated, both in story and writing, the entertainment value has stood the test of time. It is intriguing, engaging and fast-paced. Second, people used to be a lot more patient. Right now, we are showered with quality stories. Back then, it was slim pickings. If there was a gem to be found in the ocean, that ocean was simply a lot smaller.
Would I recommend this story? Absolutely. It is a captivating little blast from the past. Just don’t expect it to knock your socks off. Because the second part isn't as strong as the first part, in my opinion.
May 14, 2021
I don't know quite what to think about this one. I can't say that I liked it...but I keep thinking about it.
August 2, 2013
Two tales; in the first, an American visiting France gets a strange card from a woman passing close to him, the card is in french and he attempts to get it translated but no one helps and everyone shuns him. What can it mean? In the second tale, a physician receives an unusual client who reveals his troubles. Apparently some years before he received a mysterious card which brings destruction to his life. However, the nature of the card when eventually revealed explains everyone's weird reaction to it...
August 16, 2018
A complete waste of 30 minutes of my life I will never get back! He should’ve left it a complete mystery!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews