H. C. Bailey (1878–1961)

A collection of short stories about Mr Reginald ("Reggie") Fortune. Reggie is a surgeon, hence "Mr" Fortune in British usage, and also a semi-amateur detective. In the first two stories he is a practicing physician whose patients are murdered, but in the other four he is more of a police consulting surgeon. Historically, leading critics like Ellery Queen, Howard Haycraft, and Julian Symons have considered him important in the development of the detective story. Hence, when I was looking for a 1920 ebook I landed here.

The thing is, Reggie and his colleagues talk in a sort of slangy manner that's hard to get 100 years later. They actually call each other "old thing" and the like. The narration overall is a little elliptical and hard to follow. And I'm sorry, but fair play was not really in evidence. Inevitably, Reggie throws out some facts when explaining the solution that were withheld from the reader.

On the other hand, I actually found myself growing fond of Reggie as I read on. Some past reviewers have found him conceited or unlikeable; I think this may be the British classism of 100 years irritating modern readers.… (més)

Written during WWII, taking place in England. Sir Thomas Meon's manufacturing plant is working with the government on a top secret piece of equipment. During a weekend party at his estate, his factory is bombed and the plans are copied and leaked, and there are suspicious deaths from the bombing.
Adding to this, the Canadian and American troops stationed in the area, are not getting along which causes added tensions to the situation.
In an effort to solve the mystery, Mr. Lomas, chief of Criminal Investigation, calls on Mr. Reginald Fortune, a medical detective, to tie ups the many threads that run through the story.
… (més)