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Cleek: the Man of the Forty Faces
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1913
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64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 28, 2012
“It takes one to know one” and “It takes a thief to catch a thief” can literally be applied to this super snoop spoof from the dawn of the twentieth century. The mysterious Cleek turns away from crime and offers his invaluable services to Scotland Yard after meeting the beautiful Ailsa. This story’s introduction is really hard to swallow (he returns the stolen goods of his last criminal endeavor in exchange for immunity from prosecution and is made an inspector at Scotland Yard). From this low point, the story moves steadily upward as he unmasks the criminals and solves the riddles. I think this story surpasses those of his contemporary Sherlock Holmes. Cleek also has his Dr. Watson in the figure of Dollop, a street urchin saved from a life of crime by this super snoop guardian. I think many would enjoy the workings of this ingenious mind. He is Holmes without the attitude.
Want to read
September 27, 2017I tried so hard to finish this, I really did. I was intrigued by the characters and eager to read more about them. But the mysteries were predictable, repetitive and boring.
Farewell, Cleek, I will never learn the secrets of your past.
Farewell, Cleek, I will never learn the secrets of your past.
April 13, 2020
Although this is a lovely beginning to this great detective. I have to give it four stars.
Reasons for the low rating?
Dollops reaction to Cleek swimming. That was so uncomfortable to listen to.
What happens in the epilogue. First of all, he starves a dog. Secondly, it tells who Cleek is.
Reasons for the low rating?
Dollops reaction to Cleek swimming. That was so uncomfortable to listen to.
What happens in the epilogue. First of all, he starves a dog. Secondly, it tells who Cleek is.
January 2, 2024
This was a recommendation from my wife, who listens to a lot of older books on Librevox.
Cleek is a classic pulp hero: he has an unlikely power, which is to be able to reshape his face without using makeup or prosthetics so that he can look completely different (and can even look like other people, presumably with a bit of extra work on wigs, false moustaches, clothes, padding and so forth, though this isn't really gone into). At the start of the book, he's using this ability, and his considerable intelligence, to commit crimes, but he meets a woman, falls for her, and determines to reform.
Based on Cleek's bare, unsupported word and apparently on his own authority, a Scotland Yard inspector accepts that this notorious criminal is setting out to reform and gives him a position as a detective that appears to be semi-official; he doesn't seem to be a regular member of the force, but he's offered cases and has an ID that the police recognize. Even though he was well known, under the same name, as a criminal to both the police and the newspapers, after his reformation those same police and newspapers celebrate him as a detective; he doesn't appear to suffer any public consequences for his past crimes (it turns out that he is using any money he earns to compensate his victims, but he does this secretly).
There's a reveal about his background at the end of the book that plays into a trope I dislike. Also, the author is increasingly vague about details the further east of Suffolk he gets; his fictional European country is French-speaking but has Eastern European elements, his Sri Lankan Sinhalese people speak Hindustani rather than Sinhala and their Buddhism feels like a mishmash of what a not-very-well-informed English person would know about Hinduism and Islam, and a devout Turkish Muslim woman twice refers to her "gods," even though strict monotheism is one of the most famous tenets of Islam.
All of this kept the book out of the Silver tier of my recommendation list, but it's still a ripping pulp adventure, full of larger-than-life characters, tension, drama and dastardly plots cleverly detected. The plots do tend to have a certain sameness about them, in that they are frequently about gaining money through inheritance, but not all of them are like that, and even within that formula there's variation.
With more pleasant characters (for my taste) than Raffles, though not as well written as Arsene Lupin, these stories are worth a read if you're willing to go along with the pulpiness and just enjoy the ride.
Cleek is a classic pulp hero: he has an unlikely power, which is to be able to reshape his face without using makeup or prosthetics so that he can look completely different (and can even look like other people, presumably with a bit of extra work on wigs, false moustaches, clothes, padding and so forth, though this isn't really gone into). At the start of the book, he's using this ability, and his considerable intelligence, to commit crimes, but he meets a woman, falls for her, and determines to reform.
Based on Cleek's bare, unsupported word and apparently on his own authority, a Scotland Yard inspector accepts that this notorious criminal is setting out to reform and gives him a position as a detective that appears to be semi-official; he doesn't seem to be a regular member of the force, but he's offered cases and has an ID that the police recognize. Even though he was well known, under the same name, as a criminal to both the police and the newspapers, after his reformation those same police and newspapers celebrate him as a detective; he doesn't appear to suffer any public consequences for his past crimes (it turns out that he is using any money he earns to compensate his victims, but he does this secretly).
There's a reveal about his background at the end of the book that plays into a trope I dislike. Also, the author is increasingly vague about details the further east of Suffolk he gets; his fictional European country is French-speaking but has Eastern European elements, his Sri Lankan Sinhalese people speak Hindustani rather than Sinhala and their Buddhism feels like a mishmash of what a not-very-well-informed English person would know about Hinduism and Islam, and a devout Turkish Muslim woman twice refers to her "gods," even though strict monotheism is one of the most famous tenets of Islam.
All of this kept the book out of the Silver tier of my recommendation list, but it's still a ripping pulp adventure, full of larger-than-life characters, tension, drama and dastardly plots cleverly detected. The plots do tend to have a certain sameness about them, in that they are frequently about gaining money through inheritance, but not all of them are like that, and even within that formula there's variation.
With more pleasant characters (for my taste) than Raffles, though not as well written as Arsene Lupin, these stories are worth a read if you're willing to go along with the pulpiness and just enjoy the ride.
December 4, 2017
Listening again as I head out of town ... the perfect light mystery for a trip!
===========
Listening to the Librivox recording done by the marvelous Ruth Golding. Cleek is a bad man who goes right for the love of a good woman. As well he is perhaps the cleverest detective I have ever read of, putting M. Poirot's little grey cells to shame while indulging his idiosyncratic love of flowers and nature. This allows for many short, quirky mysteries with the overarching theme of how Cleek hopes to redeem himself enough to approach his true love with honor. A wonderfully entertaining story from the turn of the century of mystery, chivalry, and intrigue.
===========
Listening to the Librivox recording done by the marvelous Ruth Golding. Cleek is a bad man who goes right for the love of a good woman. As well he is perhaps the cleverest detective I have ever read of, putting M. Poirot's little grey cells to shame while indulging his idiosyncratic love of flowers and nature. This allows for many short, quirky mysteries with the overarching theme of how Cleek hopes to redeem himself enough to approach his true love with honor. A wonderfully entertaining story from the turn of the century of mystery, chivalry, and intrigue.
June 8, 2021
These stories are very much of their time. The prose is very purple and people's attitudes reflect the "England is best" and "Three cheers for the Empire" type of thinking which was prevelant in the Edwardian era.
That aside, the stories are quite fun, if a tad predictable. Cleek seeks to make restitution of all he has stolen, in order to win the hand of a fair lady, by taking on cases which baffle Scotland Yard.
At the same time he has what now seems a rather odd relationship with Dollops, a Cockney lad aged 19 who he has rescued from poverty. The description of aspects of their interactions has homoerotic overtones beyond mere hero-worship.
Worth reading as a period piece of some interest in the history of the detective short story pre-1914.
3.25 stars
That aside, the stories are quite fun, if a tad predictable. Cleek seeks to make restitution of all he has stolen, in order to win the hand of a fair lady, by taking on cases which baffle Scotland Yard.
At the same time he has what now seems a rather odd relationship with Dollops, a Cockney lad aged 19 who he has rescued from poverty. The description of aspects of their interactions has homoerotic overtones beyond mere hero-worship.
Worth reading as a period piece of some interest in the history of the detective short story pre-1914.
3.25 stars
Want to read
April 2, 2025Read so far:
Chapter I --The Affair of the Man Who Called Himself Hamilton Cleek
Chapter II --The Problem of the Red Crawl--
Chapter III --The Riddle of the Sacred Son--
Chapter IV --The Caliph's Daughter--
Chapter V --The Riddle of the Ninth Finger--
Chapter VI --The Wizard's Belt--
Chapter VII --The Riddle of the 5.28--3
Chapter VIII --The Lion's Smile--3
*Chapter IX --The Mystery of the Steel Room--
Chapter X --The Riddle of the Siva Stones--
*Chapter XI --The Divided House--
*Chapter XII --The Riddle of the Rainbow Pearl--
***
(with Mary Hanshew) The rope of fear--2
Chapter I --The Affair of the Man Who Called Himself Hamilton Cleek
Chapter II --The Problem of the Red Crawl--
Chapter III --The Riddle of the Sacred Son--
Chapter IV --The Caliph's Daughter--
Chapter V --The Riddle of the Ninth Finger--
Chapter VI --The Wizard's Belt--
Chapter VII --The Riddle of the 5.28--3
Chapter VIII --The Lion's Smile--3
*Chapter IX --The Mystery of the Steel Room--
Chapter X --The Riddle of the Siva Stones--
*Chapter XI --The Divided House--
*Chapter XII --The Riddle of the Rainbow Pearl--
***
(with Mary Hanshew) The rope of fear--2
July 4, 2017
Unusually for me I abandoned this one two thirds of the way through. This is basically a collection of short stories loosely joined together to form a novel. The stories are very formulaic and become boring after a while. Cleek is just too clever to be true. Won't be rushing to read any more.
Two stars is possibly a bit generous but the first couple were reasonably entertaining. However after this the reader can more or less predict the ending every time.
Two stars is possibly a bit generous but the first couple were reasonably entertaining. However after this the reader can more or less predict the ending every time.
June 9, 2020
This is the story of Cleek, a man who was born with the ability of face shifting, he used his talent for a life of crime and did not turn away until he met Mrs. Lorne, during one of his heists, at once he gave up his life of crime and determined to become a man worthy of her, he joined the police as a detective and started along with Dollops (his trusty sidekick who he rescued from a sure path to a life of crime) to solve troublesome cases left and right.
This was my third time reading-listening to this book, and it was still very enjoyable besides the cringe worthy introduction of Dollops who completely worships Cleek.
Overall I give this book a 9 out of 10 stars
This was my third time reading-listening to this book, and it was still very enjoyable besides the cringe worthy introduction of Dollops who completely worships Cleek.
Overall I give this book a 9 out of 10 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2018
It's got some great phrases, and cases that mostly seem fair to me. It's also got casual racism and animal abuse. 2.75 stars, and only seeing it in the context of its age.
September 5, 2018
Listened to the Librivox edition read by Ruth Golding. Excellent version!
January 2, 2021
I enjoyed this book but was unprepared for the surprise ending. Wow! Did not see that coming.
December 24, 2021
Series of adventures and mysteries loosely strung together in a book. Too many are the same story but a couple are very clever.
July 29, 2021
Interesting collection of short, connected mysteries, with a clichéd but interesting main character.
July 8, 2012
I listened to this (via Librivox) on the recommendation of a friend. The Librivox narrator was fantastic changing her voice for the different characters. It was a great listen.
Hanshew's character is a great addition to the Golden Age of Detectives. He has a shady past with a desire to redeem himself. The plot is episodic while weaving a sub-plot that becomes rises into the plot of the final episode in the Epilogue. If you're looking for good mystery look no further.
Hanshew's character is a great addition to the Golden Age of Detectives. He has a shady past with a desire to redeem himself. The plot is episodic while weaving a sub-plot that becomes rises into the plot of the final episode in the Epilogue. If you're looking for good mystery look no further.
October 4, 2018
It's a bit fantastic, but anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes should give this a look. A notorious thief with an unbelievable talent for disguise falls in love with a young lady and sets out to make good - by solving crimes, saving kingdoms and marriages alike. Not very realistic - the solutions are a little unbelievable - but loads of fun.
March 30, 2011
Still, Sherlock-lite!
January 29, 2015
A marvelous new superhero
I'm amazed he's not in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
I'm amazed he's not in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
May 12, 2015
Classic mystery romance. 1st in series. Standalone. Re-readable. Audio version Read by Ruth Golden free at Librivox.org
Text version free at Gutenberg.org.
©1913
Text version free at Gutenberg.org.
©1913
October 19, 2016
I guess it was well written for what it is. Very simple Scotland Yard tales written for a younger reader , I think
Want to read
March 10, 2019Synopsis: Hamilton Cleek, with his India-rubber face, is a man of disguise. He and his cockney assistant Dollops assist Scotland Yard. P 1913.
October 17, 2019
These were such sticky sweet (cavity-causing) fun mysteries! I enjoyed the ride, made me smile. The narrator Ruth Golding was phenomenal! Made the stories come alive!
February 4, 2015
Quite enjoyable but rather old hat in the genre.
November 19, 2012
The ending was totally unexpected. But a good book regardless.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews