Black Caesar's Clan : a Florida Mystery Story

by Albert Payson Terhune

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Albert Payson Terhune (1872 - 1942), a local author of some fame, wrote numerous adventures about Collies, most notably, "Lad, A Dog", "Sunnybank: Home of Lad", and "Further Adventures of Lad". Sunnybank, his home on the eastern shore of Pompton Lakes in northern New Jersey, was originally the home of Terhune's parents, Edward Payson Terhune and Mary Virginia Hawes Terhune. Later as his home with his wife, Anice Stockton Terhune, Sunnybank became famous as "The Place" in the many stories of Terhune. Much of the land once constituting the Sunnybank estate was lost to developers in the 1960's with the house being demolished in 1969. Fortunately though, the central 9.6 acres was preserved through the dedicated efforts of Terhune fans and dog fanciers, and is now Terhune Sunnybank Memorial Park, administered by the Wayne Township Parks Department.

Reviews

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mystery laced with romance between Gavin Brice, a state investigator, and the sister of one of the men he was investigating, Ms. Standish. I liked how fact, lore, and fiction were interwoven. This was based in the early 1900's and it portrays similar situations to today's society.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see Terhune's expertise was dogs. Well, he sure as heck knew Florida at the time of this writing, too. His description of a mangrove swamp is one of the best i've read in fiction. He nails all sorts of details and writes of actual locations that existed at the time. Excellent job of portraying Florida around 1920. Pre-Boom.

One error he made was writing of the structure that is the main focus in the book being built during the Seminole War days. First, the overall setting could not have such a structure built and the style of the structure described did not exist at that time.

The story is very good with all sorts of revelations unveiled throughout. It's mostly well written. Though at times a bit over written and an editor could have trimmed a bit to make it all more solid.

The biggest trouble I found was an odd about face by the main character that was not logical. Especially for the time period. I'd expect as much today. The change didn't fir the character as had overall written. I believe Terhune got so involved in trying to jolt the reader during a story, this was his 2/3rds of the way through the book jolt. Also one jolt too many.

Despite the ridiculous jolt, the various characters written are really good. The odd representations of "Conchs" is really another error. But the use of the same characters is fascinating.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.

[Bette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a mystery, an adventure story, a pirate's tale and a romance Written in 1922 the flavor is very different from today's depictions of mysteries and as a man of his time, Terhune is now often criticized by some for his starkly racist depictions of the minorities. Look past these differences and you find a travelogue of Florida, a depiction of manners of the early 21st century, a search for adventure and a desire to make a difference. Entertaining though written in a different time period and style. Intriguing as the motives behind the characters actions are hidden until the denouement.

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florida Mystery

Mr Terhune spins a great yarn. You can feel cool breezes and smell the blooming flowers.
The story is full of twist and turns. Gavin the traveling hobo is not what he seems and with his arrival to the Standish farm the adventure begins.
Try to keep up with the cast of characters and enjoy tale.

[B.V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Albert Payson Terhune (1872–1942) had several careers, eventually settling into journalism and writing. He and his wife also bred collies at their Sunnybank Kennels in New Jersey, and Terhune based most of his writing in the 1920s and 30s on dogs. His first published works were short stories in magazines about his collie Lad, and he collected a dozen stories into the novel "Lad: A Dog." That 1919 work has been reprinted over 80 times and was made into a feature film in 1962.

Although not known for writing mysteries, he did pen the novel "Black Caesar's Clan: A Florida Mystery Story," published in 1922. The title comes from the 18th century African pirate Black Caesar, who raided ships around the Florida Keys and served as a chief lieutenant for Captain Blackbeard. One of the only surviving crew from Lieutenant Robert Maynard's attack on Blackbeard in 1718, Caesar established a base on Elliot Key.

Terhune's novel is set in and around what is now known as Caesar's Creek, where the descendants of Caesar and his crew chase off treasure hunters looking for Caesar's lost fortune. It was part of a wave of treasure-hunting fiction around the Great Depression, when desperate times called for desperate measures. The plot starts off with a fight between Gavin Brice and a beachcomber over a homeless collie (yes, this wouldn't be a Terhune novel without a collie).

Gavin Brice at first appears to be a down-on-his-luck transplant to Florida looking for work. However, he has a hidden agenda for "accidentally" getting himself attached to the shady Rodney Hade and his employee Milo Standish (defending him from an attack with his 'jui-jutsu' skills), in their hideaway plantation. Brice is close to succeeding in his quest until the innocent but beguiling Claire, Milo's younger sister, makes him question the secrets he's been hiding.

Terhune infuses his tale with quite a bit of humor, including this statement by Brice to a young woman who pulled a gun on him in a case of mistaken identity:

"Oh, please don't feel sorry for that!" he begged. "It wasn't really as deadly as you made it seem. That is an old style revolver, you see, vintage of 1880 or thereabouts, I should say. Not a self-cocker. And, you'll notice it isn't cocked. So, even if you had stuck to your lethal threat and had pulled the trigger ever so hard, I'd still be more or less alive. You'll excuse me for mentioning it," he ended in apology, noting her crestfallen air. "Any novice in the art of slaying might have done the same thing. Shooting people is an accomplishment that improves with practice."

Terhune apparently was conflicted about the mystery genre, as indicated in his Foreword where he talks about "mystery and romance and thrills to be found lurking among the keys and back of the mangrove-swamps and along the mystic reaches of sunset shoreline," but then adds, "Understand, please, that this book is rank melodrama. It has scant literary quality. It is not planned to edify. Its only mission is to entertain you and—if you belong to the action-loving majority—to give you an occasional thrill."

Terhune is sometimes criticized by contemporary critics for his racist depictions of minorities and "half-breeds." In Black Caesar, Brice even refers to his former Japanese martial arts instructor as "monkey faced." But Terhune was a product of his time, and if you can overlook the occasional cringe-inducing reference, you'll find this a quick, light read.

[International Cat Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining mystery set in early 20th century Miami and the Florida Keys - free on Kindle!

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

not much of a mystery.

[Chu-Salyer Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books about Florida, wonderful book.