Classic Detective Stories

English detective stories have been popular with readers for over a hundred years. This interesting collection contains two 19th-century examples of the genre, one featuring Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary creation Sherlock Holes, and the other by Charles Dickens. There are also two 20th-century examples, an unusual story by Clarence Rook and a Father Brown story by Gilbert Keith Chesterton.

Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was trained as a doctor. He practiced medicine at Southsea from 1882 to 1890. Doyle is best known for the creation of the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock Holmes stories were immensely popular with the public. When Doyle 'killed' the detective at the end of one story, he was forced to bring the character back to life.Arthur Conan Doyle also wrote romances, book about public affairs, and a history of spiritualism. He practiced as an amateur detective himself and there was a considerable demand for his services.The most famous Sherlock Holmes stories include: The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, 1892The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, 1894The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1902Charles DickensCharles Dickens (1812-70) was the son of a clerk in the navy pay office. His father was imprisoned for debt and the young Dickens was forced to obtain work in a blacking warehouse, an experience that haunted him for the rest of his life. He later became an office clerk. He learned shorthand and became a parliamentary reporter for The Morning Chronicle. Dickens was a prolific contributor to magazines and periodicals and many of his novels were written for this kind of publication. His literary reputation was established by his inventive comic writing, but he went on to write serious novels that attacked social problems in Victorian England.His best-known novels include: The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club; Oliver Twist; Nicholas Nickleby; The Old Curiosity Shop; A Christmas Carol; Dombey and Son; David Copperfield; Hard Times; Little Dorrit; A Tale of Two Cities; Great Expectations. Clarence RookAlmost nothing is known about the life of Clarence Rook, who died in 1915. It is believed that he was an American who settled in London. His best known book is Hooligan Nights, which was published in 1899. The book described life in London's criminal underworld.Gilbert Keith ChestertonGilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) first became famous as a journalist. He also wrote novels, poetry, literary criticism and a series of essays that took a light-hearted but reflective look at everyday life.Chesterton's Father Brown stories began to appear in 1911. They were very popular with readers, and have retained their popularity. Chesterton's best-known works include:The Man Who was Thursday : A Nightmare, 1908The Innocence of Father Brown, 1911

Arthur Conan Doyle
The Five Orange Pips
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Hunted Down
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

The Stir Outside the Café Royal

The Oracle of the Dog
Part One
Part Two
Part Three