The Mystery of the Sycamore

Fleming Stone #12

by Carolyn Wells

Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII A FINAL CONFESSION Inquiry for Keefe brought the information that he had gone to a nearby town, but would be back at dinner-time. Mr. Appleby was also expected to arrive for dinner, coming from home in his motor car. But in the late afternoon a severe storm set in. The wind rose rapidly and gained great velocity while the rain fell steadily and hard. Curtis Keefe arrived, very wet indeed, though he had protecting clothing. But a telephone message from Sam Appleby said that he was obliged to give up all idea of reaching Sycamore Ridge that night. He had stopped at a roadhouse, and owing to the gale he dared not venture forth again until the storm was over. He would therefore not arrive until next day. "Lucky we got his word," said Mr. Wheeler. "This storm will soon put many telephone wires out of commission." When Keefe came down at the dinner hour, he found Maida alone in the living-room, evidently awaiting him. "My darling! " he exclaimed, going quickly to her side, "my own little girl! Are you here to greet me?" "Yes," she said, and suffered rather than welcomed his caressing hand on her shoulder. "Curtis, I told them you would tell them who killed Mr. Appleby." "So I will, dearest, after dinner. Let's not have unpleasant subjects discussed at table. I've been to Rushfield and I've found out all the particulars that I hadn't already learned, and--I've got actual proofs! Now, who's a cleverer detective than the professionals?" "Then that's all right . Now, are you sure you can also get father freed?" "I hope to, dear. That's all I can say at present. Do you take me for a magician? I assure you I'm only an ordinary citizen. But I" "But you promised" "Yes, my little love, I did, and I well know that you promised because I did! Well, I fancy I shall keep every promise I ...

Genres: Mystery, Classics

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 1920

About the author

Carolyn Wells was a prolific writer for over 40 years and was especially noted for her humor, and she was a frequent contributor of nonsense verse and whimsical pieces to such little magazines as Gelett Burgess' The Lark, the Chap Book, the Yellow Book, and the Philistine.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[iasa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although never very taxing, I normally Wells mystery fiction, but this outing was an exception. I had trouble just accepting the absurd conditional pardon and that did influence the rest the of book for me. However the ultimate dissatisfaction was the characters, they all need a good slap.

[Gillian Kevern · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly aggravating. An example of this: a man is shot. The gun is not seen on the lawn or in the rhododendron bushes, so everyone gives up looking for it. It is left among the ferns for three or four days until it finally occurs to someone to search the garden.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carolyn Wells has created a number of early 20th century mysteries -- some good and some not so much but this one, is really not too bad. She creates a scenario in which a former governor turns to his former protagonist for a favor, and then when he is turned away, shows his true stripes and blackmails the daughter of the protagonist, a former rival for the governorship who was convicted of fraud. He is convinced that everything will go his way when he returns to the man's home, only to be murdered.

While I had an idea who the murderer would turn out to be -- mainly because Wells never has a pretty woman be the guilty party -- she was very clever in those that were accused and of course, how her investigator, solved the mystery. If you are looking for an entertaining read, this is certainly one. If you're hoping that there will be clues along the way to help you 'solve' the case, you won't find it in this story.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine Sherlock Holmes dropped into a screwball comedy/mystery with a young Dr. Watson spouting newsboy slang and you have The Mystery of the Sycamore. This public domain book is available as a free download from Manybooks.net.

[Janet E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Wells was a writer and poet educated in the 19th century who died in 1942, leaving behind a wealth of well-crafted novels as well as poetry. Her character "Fleming Stone," premiere detective, headlines many of her mysteries, which today would be called cozy. Not so cozy was this Mystery of the Sycamore, set against a background of the New England politics of the day. Appleby Senior, former Massachusetts governor, visits Sycamore Ridge, Dan Wheeler's Connecticut estate, hoping to secure Wheeler's support for Appleby Junior's gubernatorial bid. Wheeler is disinclined. During an argument between the politicos, a small fire causes a commotion. All hear a gun fired. Appleby Senior lies dead in Wheeler's study, a bullet through his heart. In addition to Wheeler, other suspects proliferate. Enter, master detective Fleming Stone and his assistant, Terence McGuire, called in to solve the murder....

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? The set up and plot were somewhat lacking, the situation unbelievable, and yet I read the whole thing through and enjoyed it. A family is living in a house that straddles the Connecticut and Massachusetts state line, and, since the father is not allowed to step into Massachusetts as a condition of his parole, he scrupulously sticks to the proper side of the house. When a murder is committed in his study, all 3 family members confess to it in an effort to protect the other family members. Luckily the talented Fleming Stone come along and gets everything all straightened out.

[Payal Pasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was very interesting but the story was very straight without any surprises around the corner. In fact after a while it went round in circles and became repetitive. In the beginning I thought I was reading an Agatha Christie. But soon was mistaken. I wish the author had gone a bit deeper and dug out some skeletons from the closets to make it thrilling. Though I did not get bored till the end but I also did not get excited about anything.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam Appleby, a former Governor of Massachusetts, is paying a visit to Sycamore Ridge. The Connecticut estate of an old political rival - Dan Wheeler. But when Appleby is found dead, three people confess. Can Fleming Stone determine the truth and therefore the guilty party.
An enjoyable mystery

[William O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of the Sycamore: A Fleming Stone Mystery
by Carolyn Wells

A superb and gripping tale to the set.

Must-read for cozy mystery fans.

[Deborah McClatchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling mystery by author Carolyn Wells. I have several of her books and love them!

[Zoe Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment. I seem to have never enough of A Fleming Stone Mystery series!

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it half way and had to give up.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly contrived political murder on the Mass/Conn border