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Max Carrados
The Coin of Dionysius
This early work by Ernest Bramah was originally published in 1914 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'The Coin of Dionysius' is a mystery short story of a coin and a blind man. Ernest Bramah Smith was born was near Manchester in 1868. He was a poor student, and dropped out of the Manchester Grammar School when sixteen years old to go into the farming business. Bramah found commercial and critical success with his first novel, The Wallet of Kai Lung, but it was his later stories of detective Max Carrados that assured him lasting fame.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 1913
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50 people want to read
About the author
Ernest Bramah
305 books41 followersBramah was a reclusive soul, who shared few details of his private life with his reading public. His full name was Ernest Bramah Smith. It is known that he dropped out of Manchester Grammar School at the age of 16, after displaying poor aptitude as a student and thereafter went into farming, and began writing vignettes for the local newspaper. Bramah's father was a wealthy man who rose from factory hand to a very wealthy man in a short time, and who supported his son in his various career attempts.
Bramah went to Fleet Street after the farming failure and became a secretary to Jerome K. Jerome, rising to a position as editor of one of Jerome's magazines. At some point, he appears to have married Mattie.
More importantly, after being rejected by 8 publishers, the Wallet of Kai Lung was published in 1900, and to date, remains in print. Bramah wrote in different areas, including political science fiction, and mystery. He died at the age of 74. See http://www.ernestbramah.com for more information.
Bramah went to Fleet Street after the farming failure and became a secretary to Jerome K. Jerome, rising to a position as editor of one of Jerome's magazines. At some point, he appears to have married Mattie.
More importantly, after being rejected by 8 publishers, the Wallet of Kai Lung was published in 1900, and to date, remains in print. Bramah wrote in different areas, including political science fiction, and mystery. He died at the age of 74. See http://www.ernestbramah.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 14, 2017
In this tale, an amateur detective gives a sherlockian lesson to a private detective and it was fun!
When Liuis Carlyle, an inquiry agent needs to prove a forgery to close a case, he is directed to Mr. Wynn Carrados, who turns out to be not only an old connaissance but olso blind...
When Liuis Carlyle, an inquiry agent needs to prove a forgery to close a case, he is directed to Mr. Wynn Carrados, who turns out to be not only an old connaissance but olso blind...
July 5, 2021
3.5/5
As a person with a visual disability, it's nice to see an interesting blind character in the story. Especially when that character doesn't pity themself for their blindness, but rather accepts it as a chance to experience life in a different way.
As a person with a visual disability, it's nice to see an interesting blind character in the story. Especially when that character doesn't pity themself for their blindness, but rather accepts it as a chance to experience life in a different way.
September 6, 2025
A satisfying short story that follows a simple but somewhat interesting story of a forged coin. The blind character was the best thing going for it as he was pretty intriguing and unique. Nothing special but not bad.
August 27, 2013
From BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Tales of Max Carrados:
Old friend Louis Carlyle approaches the blind sleuth to solve a case of forgery. Arthur Darvill reads Ernest Bramah's tale.
Old friend Louis Carlyle approaches the blind sleuth to solve a case of forgery. Arthur Darvill reads Ernest Bramah's tale.
April 8, 2017
A blind detective, I love it, this was on the classic tales podcast pretty awesome.
March 20, 2022
Absolutely amazing! It gives off Sherlock Holmes vibes, yet there's something distinctive about it.
In short, there's a blind guy who wants to be a detective and has almost all the right qualifications to be one and there's a guy who already is a detective and pretty good at his job. They were friends back in their youths and now they meet again and make a deal. The blind guy wants to be useful and the other one definitely needs help with work. Together they can start solving mysteries behind more atrocious crimes and somehow satisfy their egos and ambitions.
Both of them give super strong Sherlock vibes, especially when one of them says "what do you make of it?" (That's such a Sherlock thing to say). Both stories were being published at the same time and Max Carrados was equally popular. I wonder what happened that only Sherlock survived the test of time.
Worth reading for sure and much more captivating than Agatha Christie's detective stories. Stephen Fry's narration makes it even more enjoyable.
In short, there's a blind guy who wants to be a detective and has almost all the right qualifications to be one and there's a guy who already is a detective and pretty good at his job. They were friends back in their youths and now they meet again and make a deal. The blind guy wants to be useful and the other one definitely needs help with work. Together they can start solving mysteries behind more atrocious crimes and somehow satisfy their egos and ambitions.
Both of them give super strong Sherlock vibes, especially when one of them says "what do you make of it?" (That's such a Sherlock thing to say). Both stories were being published at the same time and Max Carrados was equally popular. I wonder what happened that only Sherlock survived the test of time.
Worth reading for sure and much more captivating than Agatha Christie's detective stories. Stephen Fry's narration makes it even more enjoyable.
June 18, 2025
3.25⭐
A short detective story by Ernest Bramah, featuring his blind sleuth, Max Carrados. The plot revolves around a rare coin, the titular Coin of Dionysius, which is suspected to be a forgery. A coin dealer named Baxter is approached by a private inquiry agent, Mr. Carlyle, who seeks expert verification of the coin’s authenticity. Baxter explains this Greek coin is not his area of expertise and refers him to a numismatist named Carrados. Carlyle then enlists the help of Max Carrados, whose blindness has heightened his other senses, making him an exceptional detective.
Using his acute tactile perception, Carrados examines the coin and determines that it is indeed a forgery. His deductions expose the deception and lead to the resolution of the case, demonstrating his unique investigative abilities despite his blindness.
A short detective story by Ernest Bramah, featuring his blind sleuth, Max Carrados. The plot revolves around a rare coin, the titular Coin of Dionysius, which is suspected to be a forgery. A coin dealer named Baxter is approached by a private inquiry agent, Mr. Carlyle, who seeks expert verification of the coin’s authenticity. Baxter explains this Greek coin is not his area of expertise and refers him to a numismatist named Carrados. Carlyle then enlists the help of Max Carrados, whose blindness has heightened his other senses, making him an exceptional detective.
Using his acute tactile perception, Carrados examines the coin and determines that it is indeed a forgery. His deductions expose the deception and lead to the resolution of the case, demonstrating his unique investigative abilities despite his blindness.
June 19, 2018
Shorty but compelling and exquisitely written
September 29, 2018
This is a classic don't judge a book by its cover tale. Mr. Carlyle, the private inquiry agent, learns this the hard way.
December 30, 2020
3.5 stars
Happened upon this while listening to a few Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories and it was a welcome edition, feeling much like a Star Trek holodeck or Doctor Who adaptation of either of the aforementioned authors.
Happened upon this while listening to a few Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories and it was a welcome edition, feeling much like a Star Trek holodeck or Doctor Who adaptation of either of the aforementioned authors.
July 5, 2021
A rather fun and quirky detective story. Short.
July 5, 2021
Interesting. I think I'll look for other stories with Carrados in them.
February 9, 2022
It was good but a bit short which suited me during work time amazing
March 13, 2024
Quirky but in a very good way. This book by Ernest Bramah kicks of a pair who are dramatically different but solve mysteries together.
June 11, 2024
two guys talk about a coin. that’s it literally nothing happens.
September 19, 2024
I. Was. Bored. The end. 😂
May 27, 2025
it wasn’t even a mystery!!
January 27, 2026
A slight story that introduces our main characters of the series.
June 17, 2016
Carlyle, an inquiry agent, needs to discover whether a particular coin is counterfeit. He is directed to Wynn Carrados, an amateur expert. Little did they realize that not only do they know each other, but may have an future partnership.
A blind detective brings his heightened senses to make up for the loss of sight. An interesting partnership is beginning. 4 out of 5.
A blind detective brings his heightened senses to make up for the loss of sight. An interesting partnership is beginning. 4 out of 5.
November 9, 2011
the blind mr caradox previously has the knowledge to solve forgery case.to stress his being bliend in this story I think small experiments he played with his visitor comes forward.I expected more clever investigations which is related to his being blind.
January 1, 2017
Audiobook narrated by B.J. Harrison on The Classic Tales Podcast
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews