The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2038

Title

The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Julian Hawthorne, this collection brings classic mystery and detective tales to a modern English audience. Featuring renowned authors like Sherlock Holmes, Rudyard Kipling, and Wilkie Collins, the anthology offers thrilling narratives of crime, supernatural hauntings, and intricate puzzles. Perfect for fans of the genre seeking timeless stories of suspense and deduction.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by Julian Hawthorne, *The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories* presents a curated anthology capturing the essence of the golden age of detective fiction. The collection features iconic tales by A. Conan Doyle, such as *A Case of Identity* and *A Scandal in Bohemia*, where Sherlock Holmes employs keen observation and logic to solve crimes. In these stories, the culprit is often revealed to be someone close to the victim, exemplified by a stepfather disguising himself to prevent his daughter's marriage. The volume also includes Rudyard Kipling's eerie *My Own True Ghost Story*, which explores the haunted dâk-bungalows of India. Kipling blends supernatural dread with the realities of colonial life, describing ghostly phenomena ranging from fat corpses in trees to women who died in child-bed, noting that while native ghosts do not frighten Englishmen, many English ghosts have terrified locals. Wilkie Collins contributes *The Dream Woman*, a psychological thriller involving a mysterious woman and dramatic narratives, alongside other tales like *The Pavilion on the Links* and *The Great Valdez* that delve into deception and the allure of precious stones. The anthology emphasizes clever plotting, character-driven suspense, and the enduring fascination with the unknown. Through these varied stories, the book showcases the diverse talents of authors including Egerton Castle, Stanley J. Weyman, and Robert Louis Stevenson, offering readers a comprehensive look at classic mystery and detective fiction from nations including North Europe, the Mediterranean, Germany, France, and America.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2038.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg2038.epub

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2026-06-30 11:20 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery