The Mammoth Book of Dickensian Whodunnits

by Mike Ashley, Marilyn Todd

Charles Dickens created some of the most memorable characters in English literature. But just what became of the convict that frightened young Pip in Great Expectations?

Was he guilty, or framed? And what really did become of Edwin Drood? Was the case ever solved? Mike Ashley presents over 25 vivid new whodunnits from the world of Dickens - recorded for posterity by such writers as Michael Pearce, Amy Myers, Peter Tremayne, Alanna Knight, Kage Baker, and Edward D. Hoch.

Many of the stories feature one or more of Dickens's characters, as a sleuth or as the victim of crime; while others are set in Dickens's real life, with him investigating people closely associated with him, such as Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell or Hablot Browne. Interlinking the stories is a narrative that brings alive Dickens's own life and part in the early development of crime sleuthing.

The stories Miss Havisham's Revenge by Alanna Knight, in which we discover the part Estella Havisham played in the fate of Bentley Drummle; Murder in Murray's Court by David Stuart Davies, in which Oliver Twist has to help the Artful Dodger who has been accused of murder; The Thorn of Anxiety by Keith Miles, in which the mystery of Edwin Drood is at last solved; The Divine Nature by Kate Ellis, in which David Copperfield finds himself investigating the disappearance of Edward Murdstone; The Letter by Joan Lock, in which the skills of Inspector Bucket are once again put to the test in solving a crime that apparently never happened.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Anthologies

565 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Michael Raymond Donald Ashley is the author and editor of over sixty books that in total have sold over a million copies worldwide. He lives in Chatham, Kent.

Reviews

[Jaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tome of short stories related to Dickens and his characters. Really well done.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories. All had to do with Dickens characters (such as what happened to them after their part in the original tales) or Dickens himself, usually solving some mystery or other. Some better than others, depending on your taste, some sounding very much like Dickens himself. One of my favorites included Edgar Allen Poe meeting Dickens on his trip to the states, and his jealousy over Dickens' fame, wanting Dickens to bring his stories back to England and talk him up there in order to help him become more famous himself.

[Mrsgaskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 20 short mysteries by various authors featuring characters from Dickens' novels and Dickens himself. Some of Dickens' comtemporaries even show up in a few of the stories, Edgar Allan Poe, and to my delight, one of my favourites, Elizabeth Gaskell. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, I think it depended to some extent on my familiarity with the particular novel and characters.

[Justin Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must for an mystery buff or fans of the works of Charles Dickens. Taking his classic characters and throwing them into new mysteries of their own,this collection of stories brings a refreshing and exciting twist to the classic tales.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short detective fiction with each chapter focusing on a different character/novel and have the murder mystery arise from that. As with most collections some were stronger than others, but if one is a Dickens fan, it's fun.

[Phyllida · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book of short stories is arranged chronologically and each story is helpfully introduced to put it into the context of Dickens' life and works. The stories themselves vary in quality but are worth a look for the fan of Charles Dickens.