The Master Mystery

by Arthur B. Reeve, John W. Grey

According to Wikipedia: "Arthur Benjamin Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936) was an American mystery writer. He is best known for creating the series character Professor Craig Kennedy, sometimes called "The American Sherlock Holmes," and his Dr Watson-like sidekick Walter Jameson, a newspaper reporter, in eighteen detective novels. The bulk of Reeve's fame is based on the 82 Craig Kennedy stories, published in Cosmopolitan magazine between 1910 and 1918. These were collected in book form; with the third collection, the short stories were stitched together into pseudo-novels. The 12-volume Craig Kennedy Stories came out in 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set."

Genres: Mystery

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1919

About the author

Arthur Benjamin Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936) was an American mystery writer. He is best known for creating the series character Professor Craig Kennedy, sometimes called "The American Sherlock Holmes", and Kennedy's Dr. Watson-like sidekick Walter Jameson, a newspaper reporter, in 18 detective novels. The bulk of Reeve's fame is based on the 82 Craig Kennedy stories, published in Cosmopolitan magazine between 1910 and 1918. These were collected in book form; with the third collection, the short stories were stitched together into pseudo-novels. The 12-volume Craig Kennedy Stories were released in 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set.

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even bearing in mind the time of writing the book it did nothing for me,

[Rob Shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not enough space marines.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Quentin Locke is part Superman part Harry Houdini in this fun mystery. The story reminds me of the Saturday serials that once were shown on the movie screens each Saturday and the cliff hangers heard on radio long ago and can still be heard on Old Time Radio podcasts. Heard from the Librivox.org catalog.

[Jools · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite easily, the worst thing I have ever encountered. And I'm not just talking about books. It took me and friend over three years to read this abortion of literature together, and even then, the only thought that kept us going , was how hilariously awful the book was.

Every single character is an overly verbose idiot, but with the incredible ability to escape from any situation instantly, no matter the level of conflict. The writing style is like a five year old repeating a Wikipedia synopsis to his friend's down the pub (this five year old turned to drink due to the book).

It makes zero sense, and, to be frank, I hate it immensely, in the deepest facet of my being. Even now, I'm loathing the memory of reading this blithering turd.

[Dave L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Arthur Reeve's Craig Kennedy books, I thought I would give this a go. I wish I hadn't. It is overly long and much of the story is very repetitive. I lost count of the number of times that the villains (or emissaries as they are imaginatively described) tie Quentin Locke up as a precursor to his despatch from this world by some obscure method. Needless to say, he escapes every time and the criminals never seem to learn from their experience and just shoot him. The heroine, Eva, also continuously blunders into dangerous situations in strange places with astonishing naivety. The revelation of the identity of the automaton at the novel's climax comes as absolutely no surprise.

Unless you have a serious amount of free time, I would give this one a miss.

[grosbeak]

Amazing. This completely nonsense novelization of a silent film serial that was conceived as a vehicle for Houdini includes: an evil robot that can shoot lightning from its fingers, an idol (racist) with laser-beams for eyes, 2 mad scientists, a devious secretary in love with the man she doesn't know is her long-lost brother, a demi-mondaine named De Luxe Dora (evil, naturally), a laughing sickness, 3 garroting machines, a secret cellar connected to the sea cliffs by a secret passage, a primitive security camera, 2 near-misses with vats of acid, an automatic hypnosis machine that is a rotating room of mirrors, and a butler (devoted) who never forgets to pack an automatic in the valise of the lady of the house when she goes out.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

In classic adventure style, 'The master mystery' introduces the reader to detective Quentin Locke who investigates a cartel protected by a robot called the Automaton and the members of which use a gaseous weapon called Madagascar madness. The Houdini styled Locke, is capable of getting himself freed of some of the strangest situations adding to the excitment... Coming down to the end things take a bit of an unusual turn...

[Norman Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not have found this hidden gem if I hadn't been looking for "Robots" in LibriVox.

[Nev Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Corny,but enjoyable