Cover image for Four Max Carrados Detective Stories

Four Max Carrados Detective Stories

Author Ernest Bramah (E. B. Smith)
Language English
Published 1914
Notes

The adventures of a blind detective in London, featuring four compact mysteries:
The Coin of Dionysius
The Knight's Cross Signal Problem
The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage
The Last Exploit of Harry the Actor

Approx. 34,760 words.

Excerpt

"Naturally. But, I mean, how did he study his model?"

"Also with his hands. He called it 'seeing near.'"

"Even with a lion--handled it?"

"In such cases he required the services of a keeper, who brought the animal to bay while Vidal exercised his own particular gifts ... You don't feel inclined to put me on the track of a mystery, Louis?"

Unable to regard this request as anything but one of old Max's unquenchable pleasantries, Mr. Carlyle was on the point of making a suitable reply when a sudden thought caused him to smile knowingly. Up to that point, he had, indeed, completely forgotten the object of his visit. Now that he remembered the doubtful Dionysius and Baxter's recommendation he immediately assumed that some mistake had been made. Either Max was not the Wynn Carrados he had been seeking or else the dealer had been misinformed; for although his host was wonderfully expert in the face of his misfortune, it was inconceivable that he could decide the genuineness of a coin w

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2008.07.04
matthew

Entertaining mysteries -- Max Carrados is an engaging character, and the stories are well told.

2006.12.19
Carter

These lively stories in the Sherlock Holmes vein feature Max Carrados, the blind amateur detective. Like Holmes, Carrados makes a point of noticing what others don't, in his case precisely because, as he says, "I [have] no blundering, self-confident eyes to be hoodwinked." Instead he uses careful deduction, his four other senses, and the well-trained eye of his manservant, Parkinson. Carrados' friend Carlyle, a private investigator, serves as his Watson -- he is just dense enough to require an explanation of how Carrados has solved each crime. Four unusual cases take Carrados, Carlyle and Parkinson to well-drawn locations in and around London, including the uncrackable Lucas Street depository and Carrados' own luxurious study in Richmond, where he makes some of his most surprising deductions.

2006.11.21
shaheer

fantastic