Crime & Mystery Fiction
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Adventures Of The Infallible Godahl
Frederick Irving Anderson was a New York newspaperman who had a second career writing mystery stories for the “slick” magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post. The Infallible Godahl is a collection of some of his first stories. Godahl is a clever gentleman thief, who might be thought of as an American version of Raffles or Arsene Lupin. – Summary by Winston Tharp
Agatha Webb
A universally beloved woman has been murdered. But who would have the heart to kill Agatha Webb? Would her husband do it for money matters? Or would it be the cook, who died at about the same time? Or would it be the rich and well-connected Mr. Frederick, who ran away into the woods? Miss Page, a servant and the sweetheart of the same Mr. Frederick, wants to join the investigation, but is constantly prevented from doing so. (summary by Stav Nisser)
An African Millionaire: Episodes in the Life of the Illustrious Colonel Clay
“My name is Seymour Wilbraham Wentworth. I am brother-in-law and secretary to Sir Charles Vandrift, the South African millionaire and famous financier. Many years ago, when Charlie Vandrift was a small lawyer in Cape Town, I had the (qualified) good fortune to marry his sister. Much later, when the Vandrift estate and farm near Kimberley developed by degrees into the Cloetedorp Golcondas, Limited, my brother-in-law offered me the not unremunerative post of secretary; in which capacity I have ever since been his constant and attached companion.” An illustrious scientist, Allen came to fiction as a more lucrative avenue than more serious writing. As well as writing ghost and detective stories, he introduced us to the illustrious Colonel Clay, a precursor of other gentleman rogue characters; he notably bears a strong resemblance to Maurice Leblanc’s Ars?ne Lupin, introduced some years later. – Summary by Lynne Thompson, quote from the first chapter
An American Tragedy, Volume 1
Loosely based on a true story, this is the tale of Clyde Griffiths. At a young age, Clyde realizes that money and influence can get him the finer things in life. As a young man, he finds himself torn between the poor but virtuous Roberta, and Sondra the wealthy socialite. Can there be a happy resolution to this love triangle? Follow Clyde throughout his young life as he struggles to figure out whether he can truly have everything he wants. This is volume 1 of 2. – Summary by Tatiana Chichilla
An American Tragedy, Volume 2
The saga of Clyde, Roberta, and Sondra continues in volume 2 of 2. Social-climbing Clyde Griffiths wants nothing more than to marry the wealthy Sondra Finchley and ascend to the highest levels of Upstate New York society. However, there is a glaring obstacle in his way: Roberta’s pregnancy. Both had hoped to keep their illicit relationship a secret, but if Clyde can’t find a doctor willing to help them, something must be done. Perhaps something drastic . . . The tense and thrilling conclusion to Dreiser’s genre-defining novel of love, pain, the law, and the spirit. – Summary by Tatiana Chichilla
An Amiable Charlatan
An Englishman is enjoying his dinner at Stephano’s, at which he is a regular diner. A man enters quickly, sits at his table, starts eating his food, and hands him a packet underneath the table! So begins Paul Walmsley’s acquaintance – and adventures – with American adventurer Joseph H. Parker and his lovely daughter, Eve. (Intro by TriciaG) Note that there is an alternate reading of section 8. Both are excellent renditions, so enjoy either or both of them.
An Amiable Charlatan (version 2)
A lively adventure of a father-daughter con team enjoying themselves in Edwardian London. – Summary by Cate Barratt
Blotted Out
The story about a young man who immigrates to the US and is contacted by a mysterious woman. – Summary by Howard Skyman
Constance Dunlap
Constance Dunlap is a young woman who in Chapter 1 turns amateur criminal in order to to save her husband from disgrace and imminent arrest. When this sadly doesn’t work out exactly as planned, Constance goes on to embrace a new life. More antiheroine than heroine, she uses her wits and new found talents to aid others in avoiding retribution for their crimes always one step ahead of the detective pursuing her. Summary by J. M. Smallheer
Cradock Nowell Vol. 3
Cradock Nowell: a Tale of the New Forest is a three-volume novel by R. D. Blackmore published in 1866. Set in the New Forest and in London, it follows the fortunes of Cradock Nowell who, at the end of Volume 1, is thrown out of his family home and disowned by his father following the suspicious death of Cradock’s twin brother Clayton, their father’s favorite. In Volume 2, the story picks up with those left behind at Nowelhurst and the question of who is now heir apparent to the Nowell fortune. Meanwhile, Cradock discovers life independent of the Nowell name and fortune is not easy. At the end of volume 2, we leave Cradock fighting for his life and his beloved Amy rushing to be with him. It was Blackmore’s second novel, and the novel he wrote prior to his most famous work Lorna Doone. *Warning: Some listeners may be offended by some of the language. Words that were considered acceptable in the nineteenth century are not always politically correct today. It is LibriVox policy to leave the original wording as the author intended. – Summary by Lynne Thompson Other volumes in the series: Cradock Nowell, volume 1 Cradock Nowell, volume 2
Crime and Punishment (version 2)
“Crime and Punishment” is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published in the literary journal “The Russian Messenger” in twelve monthly installments during 1866. It was later published in a single volume. It is the second of Dostoyevsky’s full-length novels following his return from ten years of exile in Siberia. Crime and Punishment is considered the first great novel of his “mature” period of writing. “Crime and Punishment” focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash. Raskolnikov argues that with the pawnbroker’s money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of a worthless vermin. He also commits this murder to test his own hypothesis that some people are naturally capable of such things, and even have the right to do them. Several times throughout the novel, Raskolnikov justifies his actions by comparing himself with Napoleon Bonaparte, believing that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose. Much of the suspense of the novel is psychological, as the reader agonizes over Raskolnikov’s efforts to evade justice for his crime. Much of it is also moral, as the question of whether or not Raskolnikov himself can find redemption as a human being leads to a surprising culmination. – Summary by Wikipedia (edited by Expatriate)
Faulkner’s Folly
Eric Stannard, wealthy artist and portrait painter of international reputation is found dead in his studio, an etching needle protruding from his chest. The lights had gone out momentarily just before he was found by a footman and a long-time friend. Standing beside the victim is Joyce his wife and his model Natalie both seeming to be struck with terror and shock!! At first glance the suspects seem obvious…but what about the artist’s son who is in love with Natalie, the neighbor in love with the wife, a burglar? Will a psychic help find the murderer? Or will it fall upon the great detective Alan Ford to solve this one? – Summary by Celine Major
Fenton’s Quest
This story revolves around Gilbert Fenton, a very talented middle class businessman from London, who falls in love with a beautiful country woman far below his station. He decides to marry her anyway. But is she all that she seems? (Summary by Stav Nisser.)
Short Mystery and Suspense Collection 010
There’s nothing better than curling up with a good mystery and suspense story on a cold, dark night. Here we give you fifteen in the 10th Short Mystery and Suspense collection! Whether you are looking for an intricate and perplexing tale, such as After Midnight or The Sussex Vampire, or a short, head-scratching mystery, like No Way Out, we have it all!
Short Mystery Story Collection 005
LibriVox?s Short Mystery Story Collection 005: a collection of 10 short works of mysterious fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members.
Short Mystery Story Collection 006
LibriVox?s Short Mystery Story Collection 006: a collection of 10 short works of mysterious fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members.
Short Mystery Story Collection 007
Librivox?s Short Mystery Story Collection 007: a collection of 16 short works of mysterious fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox volunteers.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (version 4)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 12 short stories that were originally illustrated by Sidney Paget. These are the first set of short stories that were published and followed the publishing of his first 2 novels, A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four. – Summary by David Clarke
The Amateur Cracksman
“I’d tasted blood, and it was all over with me. Why should I work when I could steal? Why settle down to some humdrum uncongenial billet, when excitement, romance, danger and a decent living were all going begging together?”- A. J. Raffles, The Ides of March. The Amateur Cracksman is the first collection of stories about A. J. Raffles, gentleman, cricketer, and thief. After stopping his old school friend, Bunny Manders, from a desperate attempt at suicide, Raffles introduces the unsuspecting Bunny to a new way of earning a living, burglary. Though frequently horrified by Raffles’s actions, the conscience-stricken Bunny stands by him through all their adventures, firm to his promise, “When you want me, I’m your man!” (Summary by Kristin Hughes)
The Amethyst Cross
Things look bleak for Lesbia Hales. Her father does not let her marry the man she loves. Her mother is dead. She has to keep secrets in order to promote what she wants for herself. One day, her lover, George Walker, is injured in her home and someone stole the expensive amethyst cross. Who could have done that and why? – Summary by Stav Nisser.
The Angel of Terror (version 2)
Beautiful Jean Briggerland is the epitome of evilness in this twisting and turning thriller. She plots many different ways to steal her new victim’s riches including lies and murder. Only Jack Glover the lawyer of Jean’s most recent victim, is aware of her true nature. Can he stop her crime spree and bring her to justice before she murders her way to wealth and happiness? Don’t count on it! Page after page offers action, new twists, and unexpected surprises that will keep the reader listening for more! (Summary by Allyson Hester)
The Bishop’s Secret
Bishop Pendle is the Church of England bishop in a small fictitious English cathedral town. Several years into his work, he receives a visit from a disreputable-looking visitor. The bishop is much upset. What transpired between them that has so upset the good churchman? And then there is the murder. Fergus Hume was one of the most prolific and most popular of 19th century novelists. “Mr. Hume won a reputation second to none for plot of the stirring, ingenious, misleading, and finally surprising kind, and for working out his plot in vigorous and picturesque English. In “The Bishop’s Secret,” while there is no falling off in plot and style, there is a welcome and marvelous broadening out as to the cast of characters, representing an unusually wide range of typical men and women. These are not laboriously described by the author, but are made to reveal themselves in action and speech in a way that has, for the reader, all the charm of personal intercourse with living people….” (Book Preface and david wales)
The Black Box
Sanford Quest, the master criminologist of the world, attempts to bring to justice the murderer of Lord Ashleigh’s daughter. But he soon discovers that he has just entered a life-and-death struggle with a mysterious master criminal. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)
The Black Motor Car
Head over heels in love with the amazingly beautiful Mrs. de la Mothe, Jack Portheous is led to embezzle a large sum of money from the bank at which he works, and plans to elope with her to South America. On the eve of their planned departure, however, Jack finds his wife dead in their house, and as he blames himself for her death, he decides to cancel everything. Marie de la Mothe is not a woman to be trifled with, however, and she immediately gives him away to his employer, sending Jack off to prison for years. After finishing his prison term and spending several years abroad, Jack returns to England, with nothing on his mind but the thought of revenge.. – Summary by Carolin
The Black Star
The Black Star was a master criminal who took great care to never be identifiable, always wore a mask so nobody knew what he looked like, rarely spoke to keep his voice from being recognized, and the only mark left at the scenes of the crimes which he and his gang committed were small black stars which were tacked as a sign of their presence, and an occasional sarcastic note to signify his presence and responsibility. Even those who worked for him knew nothing of him, all of which were making his crimes virtually unsolvable. The police were at a complete loss as to his identity and at a method of stopping his criminal activities. He seemed to have the perfect strategic setup and all advantages were in his favor. He even somehow knew where the wealthy kept their jewels and money, and knew when they would remove valuable items from their safes and deposit boxes. Thus Roger Verbeck decided to take on the case of the Black Star using his own methodology. The Black Star will keep you guessing from beginning to end, just as he kept the police and Verbeck guessing. Johnston McCulley was a prolific writer in the pulp fiction vein, and his Zorro series would become immensely popular. However, prior to Zorro, the Black Star was among his first repeating characters which kept readers of the day in continual suspense until his next appearance. McCulley also wrote mysteries and detective stories using various pseudonyms, including Harrison Strong. (Introduction by Roger Melin)
The Boarded Up House
What is the secret of the old boarded up house? And what is the answer to the mystery of the long lost letter that is found in it? Best friends Joyce and Cynthia – along with their dog “Goliath”, are determined to find out in this pre-Nancy Drew juvenile mystery for girls. Augusta Huiell Seaman was the author of over 40 historical fiction and mystery novels for older children. (Summary by Maria Therese)
The Count’s Chauffeur
When car-crazy George Ewart accepts employment as chauffeur to Count Bindo di Ferraris, an Italian aristocrat, he has no idea what he has just let himself in for. The opportunity to drive the powerful six-cylinder, 40 horsepower Napier open touring car provides happiness enough. The Count, however, has a secret agenda. Why is he always on the move? What mystery sees the Count Bindo rushing to the wealthy–and occasionally dangerous– hot spots of Europe? And why must he leave so quickly after? Eventually, Ewart catches on to the Count’s “mission.” What will he do now? – Summary by Steven Seitel
The Criminal from Lost Honour
“In the whole history of man there is no chapter more instructive for the heart and mind than the annals of his errors. On the occasion of every great crime a proportionally great force was in motion. If by the pale light of ordinary emotions the play of the desiring faculty is concealed, in the situation of strong passion it becomes the more striking, the more colossal, the more audible, and the acute investigator of humanity, who knows how much may be properly set down to the account of the mechanism of the ordinary freedom of the will, and how far it is allowable to reason by analogy, will be able from this source to gather much fresh experience for his psychology, and to render it applicable to moral life.” (Introductory Paragraph) Christian Wolf is a man not endowed with any special features, host of the inn the Sun, in need of money, and unhappily in love. The want of money leads him to minor crimes, and the disproportionally severe punishments spark in him an overpowering thirst for revenge, spiraling him ever deeper into trouble. This short story is at the same time a work of fiction, relating the story of an individual through his criminal career, and a work of enlightenment, showing how external circumstances can slowly transform a good man into a criminal. – Summary by Carolin.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Ars?ne Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar (version 2)
This collection of independent stories first published between 1905 and 1907 in the magazine Je Sais Tout recounts the tales of Ars?ne Lupin, the famous gentleman-burglar: the first story marks the introduction of the character to the public, and its success encouraged author Maurice Leblanc to write several others, collected and published as a book in 1907. Ars?ne Lupin would go on to be the main character in several short stories and novels, written by Leblanc and others, and whose legacy would appear also in comics, movies and video games, becoming the icon of the affable and charming man who, choosing to walk on the wrong side of law, still can be a force for good. – Summary by Leni
The Extraordinary Adventures of Ars?ne Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar (version 3)
A series of loosely related short stories of the early adventures of France’s famous gentleman burglar, Ars?ne Lupin, as told by an admirer and trusted friend. (Cate Barrat)