The Red Triangle: Being Some Further Chronicles of Martin Hewitt, Investigator

by Arthur Morrison

I have already recorded many of the adventures of my friend Martin Hewitt, but among them there have been more of a certain few which were discovered to be related together in a very extraordinary manner; and it is to these that I am now at liberty to address myself. There may have been others – cases which gave no indication of their connection with these; some of them indeed I may have told without a suspicion of their connection with the Red Triangle; but the first in which that singular accompanime

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Collections, Classics

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Arthur George Morrison (1863-1945) was an English author and journalist, known for his realistic novels about London's East End and for his detective stories. In 1890, he left his job as a clerk at the People's Palace and joined the editorial staff of the Evening Globe newspaper. The following year, he published a story titled "A Street", which was subsequently published in book form in Tales of Mean Streets (1894). Around this time, Morrison was also producing detective short stories which emulated those of Conan Doyle about Sherlock Holmes. Three volumes of Martin Hewitt stories were published before the publication of the novel for which Morrison is most famous: A Child of the Jago (1896). Other less well-received novels and stories followed, until Morrison effectively retired from writing fiction around 1913. Between then and his death, he seems to have concentrated on building his collection of Japanese prints and paintings.

Amongst his other works are Martin Hewitt: Investigator (1894), Zig-Zags at the Zoo (1894), Chronicles of Martin Hewett (1895), Adventures of Martin Hewett (1896), and The Hole in the Wall (1902).

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Martin Hewitt stories by Arthur Morrison. This novel includes 5 stories and tries to tie them together with "The Red Triangle" incidents. The stories are all right, but somehow the tying together did not work for me. When all is revealed at the end, I had to roll my eyes. Yes, even for 1903 it was an-eye-roller of an explanation.

Read the other Martin Hewitt stories, such as The Best Martin Hewitt stories or included in the anthology Rivals of Sherlock Holmesand skip this one. The Case of the Dixon Torpedo is particularly good.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am bereft. I have gobbled up all the Martin Hewitt stories and there are no more worlds to conquer.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six stories which seem to be connected
1. The Affair of Samuel's Diamonds. When believes £15000 worth of his diamonds have been stolen he contacts Martin Hewitt for help. But it results in a death by tourniquet and a red triangle on the forehead of the dead body.
2. The Case of Mr Jacob Mason. Rev James Potswood is concerned about one of his parishioners, Jacob Mason, and requires Hewitt's help. Again the result is the same.
3. The Case of the Lever Key. The coincidence of the discovery of a key containing a cypher, and the theft of £25,000 worth of bonds.
4. The Case of the Burnet Barn. Claire Peytral requests the help of Hewitt as her father has been killed and friend Percy Bowmore arrested. But is there a connection with the Red Triangle.
5. The Case of the Admiralty Code. The Admiralty telegraphic code has been stolen. The main suspect to the previous three murders was seen leaving the appropriate office.
6. The Adventure of Channel Marsh. Can the guilty an be finally caught and the solution to the red triangle and his power solved.
An enjoyable set of mysteries.
Originally written in 1903.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Morrison's brave attempt aimed at exploiting the contemporary geopolitical scenario in the making of an episodic thriller.
It fell flat.
As an avid reader of sensational literature, my disbelief remains willfully suspended most of the time. But such a colourless protagonist, especially in comparison to the minor characters, leave no feeling of awe.
An OKayish read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

My first foray into Martin Hewitt but I don't think it will be my last. Hewitt is quite likeable character and the series of connected theme short stories, I found an agreeable change from the norm for short stories.