Cunning Murrell

by Arthur Morrison

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

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

[Steven Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this highly. So much so in fact that I published a version of it alongside the Strand Magazine article where Morrison talks about his research for the novel and his meeting with people who knew James Murrell. I have also included an extract from a history book that may have been the original material that set Morrison on his quest and sparked his interest. The collection goes under the name of Spirit of Old Essex.

[Andy Chew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't for everyone, but if you have an interest in the occult and want to delve deeper into some folk stories that are certainly embellished by the author, then go for it!

[Trunatrschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is difficult to describe. Apparently it was written around the turn of the 1900's by a man who actually got to read some of Cunning Murrell's papers, but it's fiction too, fiction with some fact.
At first I was bored to tears with only the well written accent of the speakers to entertain me, but then it grew on me. It's like a little slice of life in the mid 1800's in small town southern England.
Cunning Murrell is either the bases for other knowledge of Cunningfolk or he's a typical specimen, difficult to know.
The story is well written and lyrical, enjoyable in a soothing way, till the end where it started to verge on being a 'thriller'. It could have been longer with more in depth character building, but that really wasn't the point, it's just a window into the past. I'd recommend it, but don't expect a lot of information, just an enjoyable story.