The Problem of Cell 13

by Jacques Futrelle

Enter one of the greatest locked-room mysteries ever written. The Problem of Cell 13 features Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen—“The Thinking Machine”—whose unmatched intellect is put to the ultimate escaping from a maximum-security prison cell designed to be escape-proof.

With no tools and no assistance, Van Dusen relies only on observation, logic, and the belief that any problem can be solved by the disciplined mind. Jacques Futrelle’s masterful short novel blends tension, scientific reasoning, and classic detective-fiction charm, making it essential reading for fans of mystery, crime, and ingenious puzzles.

Perfect for readers of Arthur Conan Doyle, John Dickson Carr, and Golden Age detective stories, this edition offers a timeless tale of intellect triumphant over the impossible.

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

About the author

Jacques Heath Futrelle (1875-1912) was an American journalist and mystery writer. He is best known for writing short detective stories featuring the "Thinking Machine", Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen. He worked for the Atlanta Journal, where he began their sports section; the New York Herald; the Boston Post; and the Boston American. In 1905, his Thinking Machine character first appeared in a serialized version of The Problem of Cell 13. In 1895, he married fellow writer Lily May Peel, with whom he had two children. While returning from Europe aboard the RMS Titanic, Futrelle, a first-cabin passenger, refused to board a lifeboat insisting his wife board instead. He perished in the Atlantic. His works include: The Chase of the Golden Plate (1906), The Simple Case of Susan (1908), The Thinking Machine on the Case (1908), The Diamond Master (1909), Elusive Isabel (1909), The High Hand (1911), My Lady's Garter (1912), Blind Man's Bluff (1914).