The Adventure of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

     Is man completely good?  Or is he good and bad?  The nature of man is the theme of this psychological horror tale by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Add the foggy streets of Victorian London, with narrow lanes, and a mysterious door, and you have a delightfully creepy tale for the hours around midnight.

    Mr. Utterson and Mr. Richard Enfield are taking a walk through the roads of London.  Their way passes a mysterious corner of London:

     "Two doors from one corner on the left hand going east, the line was broken by the entry of a court; and just at that point a certain sinister block of building thrust forward its gable on the street.  It was two stories high; showed no window, nothing but a door on the lower story and a blind forehead of discoloured wall on the upper; and bore in every feature the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence.  The door which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained."*

     Mr. Enfield has an unusual connection to this dark place.  During one of his walks, he saw a terrible accident.  A man and a girl ran straight into each other, but, unlike any civil gentleman, the man "trampled calmly over the child's body and left her her screaming on the ground.  It sounds nothing to hear, but it was hellish to see."*  Mr. Enfield chased after the man and demanded restitution for the girl to the amount of 100 pounds.  To avoid a scene, the man agrees to the amount.  He takes Mr. Enfield to this very door in question, enters, and then reemerges with some of the money and a cheque.  Mr. Enfield tries to describe this horrible man to his friend, but "He is not easy to describe.  There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable.  I never saw a man I so disliked; and yet I scarce know why."*  His name is Hyde.  And the name on the check is a Dr. Henry Jekyll.
     It is Mr. Utterson's turn to reveal some information to his friend.  He knows of this Mr. Hyde.  His friend and client, Dr. Jekyll, has left this man everything in his will.  Mr. Utterson, the lawyer, does not like the conditions of Jekyll's will.  He finds the terms disturbing: "in the case of the decease of Henry Jekyll . . ., all his possessions were to pass into the hands of his 'friend and benefactor Edward Hyde,' but that in the case of Dr. Jekyll's 'disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months,'"* Mr. Hyde will also inherit.
     Dr. Jekyll is a good, respectable man, and Mr. Utterson fears that Mr. Hyde may be blackmailing him for some youthful follies of years gone by.  Confused and concerned, Mr. Utterson discusses the mystery with a mutual friend of Jekyll, Dr. Lanyon.  Jekyll has been pursuing his own strange theories, and Dr. Lanyon has not seen him in a long time.
     When Utterson visits Jekyll, the latter seems calm and unconcerned about Hyde.  " '. . . I will tell you one thing: the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde. . . . this is a private matter, and I beg of you to let it sleep.' "*
     The advice to let sleeping dogs lie, lasts for almost a year.  Then a terrible murder is committed - and the murderer is Edward Hyde.  Greatly shaken, Jekyll declares that he has rid himself of Hyde.  The doctor's life changes suddenly.  He becomes more sociable, donates to charities, and attends church.  It appears that the doctor's life has changed for the better, and Mr. Hyde completely disappears.  But only for a short time.

     Although short in length, The Adventure of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is not small in literary stature.  The story excites imagination and thought.  The nature of man is a deep subject and controversial.  Is man by nature fully good?  If so, what causes him to do evil, commit horrid crimes, and completely disregard the people around him?  Some may say society forces people to turn to crime and vice.  However, what if man is both good and evil?  If so, where did the evil and where did the good come from?

*Stevenson, Robert Louis.  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1925.  Print.  From the series "Everyman's Library."

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

     In the mid-18th century, the evil master of the Manor of Baskerville brings a curse down upon his descendants.  Wicked and selfish to the core, Sir Hugo Baskerville kidnaps a maiden from a nearby farm.  He locks her away in a room in his spacious manor.  While she awaits a terrible fate, he goes downstairs to sup and drink with his dishonorable friends.  The maiden, desperate, escapes and flees for her life across the dark moor.  Sir Hugo discovers her flight, and makes chase - with his hounds.
     Sir Hugo's friends follow him.  They stop a night shepherd to ask directions, and he replies that Sir Hugo was seen, running away from "a hound of hell."  Three of the men continue in their search, only to find death and horror.  The maiden is dead: "dead of fear and of fatigue."  Close to her form is the mutilated body of Sir Hugo, brought down by the hound.

     ". . . there stood a foul thing, a great, black beast, shaped like a hound, yet larger than any hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon.  And even as they looked the thing tore the throat out of Hugo Baskerville, on which, as it turned its blazing eyes and dripping jaws upon them, the three shrieked with fear and rode for dear life, still screaming, across the moor.  One, it is said, died that very night of what he had seen, and the other twain were but broken men for the rest of their days.
     "Such is the tale, my sons, of the coming of the hound which is said to have plagued the family so sorely ever since.  If I have set it down it is because that which is clearly known hath less terror than that which is but hinted at and guessed.  Nor can it be denied that many of the family have been unhappy in their deaths which have been sudden, bloody, and mysterious.  Yet may we shelter ourselves in the infinite goodness of Providence, which would not for ever punish the innocent beyond that third and fourth generation which is threatened in Holy Writ.  To that Providence, my sons, I hereby commend you, and I counsel you by way of caution to forbear from crossing the moor in those dark hours when the powers of evil are exalted."*  

     Now, in the later years of the nineteenth century, a descendant, Sir Charles Baskerville, lives in the shadow of this curse.  He is found dead in the grounds of his manor.  His body is found by his butler, Barrymore.  On Sir Charles's face is a look of horror.  The diagnosis is cardiac exhaustion.  His mysterious death is attributed to the Hound.
     Before his nephew and heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, can arrive at the manor, Dr. Mortimer brings the case, the legend, and his concerns for Sir Henry's safety to Mr. Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street.  Holmes listens to the case, but appears to be little interested in this "supernatural" hound and the curse.  Instead, he sends Dr. Watson with Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry to Baskerville Hall.  Dr. Watson's instructions are to write detailed reports and mail them to Holmes in London.
     The beginning of the novel follows Dr. Watson and his investigation and adventures at Baskerville Hall and the nearby village.  Besides meeting Barrymore and his wife, Watson makes the acquaintance of a neighbor, Mr. Stapleton and his sister, Miss Stapleton.  But the plot thickens, the night comes, and the houd roams the moore.
     An excellent edition of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and other Sherlock Holmes mysteries is The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  37 short stories and a complete novel from The Strand Magazine.  They are printed so as to look like they did in the magazine, and they include the dates when each story was released.  It an excellent book for all Sherlock Holmes fans. (This is not meant as an advertisement :), but as a suggestion for all book lovers and Holmes fans!)

     *All quotations are from this source:  
     Doyle, Arthur Conan.  "The Hound of the Baskervilles."  McClure, Philips & Co., 1902. Print.  Doyle, Arthur Conan.  "The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes."  Edison, New Jersey: CASTLE BOOKS, A Division of Book Sales, Inc.  Print.  

The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton

     G. K. Chesterton introduced us to the amusing, yet brilliant Father Brown in 1911 with his book "The Innocence of Father Brown."  These first twelve stories are not only amazing mysteries, but wonderful narrations and commentaries on life and how individuals view their world.  Perception, formed by our reality, really does affect how we act.  While Holmes investigates how the crime was committed and the motive behind the crime, Father Brown examines the psychological motives of the criminals.  These stories made me an instant Father Brown fan, and I hope you enjoy them, too!
  

     Here is a brief plot synopsis of each of the stories in The Innocence of Father Brown.   

     The Blue Cross: The internationally famous French investigator Valentin chases the infamous, genius French criminal Flambeau in England.  Valentin follows a trail of crazy clues, pursuing a tall priest and a short priest.    
     The Secret Garden:  When Father Brown attends a gathering at Valentin’s house, a man dies mysteriously in a garden that is surrounded by walls with only one entrance.  
     The Queer Feet: Father Brown goes to an exclusive club to hear the confessions of a dying man.  While he’s there, an amazing robbery occurs, right under the noses of the victims. 
     The Flying Stars:  Sir Leopold Fischer gives his goddaughter three precious African diamonds: a tempting conquest for any thief! 
     The Invisible Man: Miss Laura Hope has two unwanted suitors – Smythe and James Welkin.  When Smythe prepares to present his suite to Miss Hope, he receives a death warning from his rival James Welkin.
     The Honor of Israel Gow: Father Brown investigates the death of a Scottish earl.  He fears foul play, even witchcraft.    
     The Wrong Shape: Mr. Quinton is found dead in his room.  It appears to be suicide, but a clue points to a different conclusion.  What is the clue?  Mr. Quinton’s stationary is cut in the wrong shape. 
     The Sins of Prince Saradine: Prince Saradine, an Italian nobleman, has retired from the social whirl, and lives quietly.  Father Brown visits him with a friend and becomes acquainted with him, his butler, and housekeeper.  Little does he know that someone is seeking revenge and the prince’s life.   
     The Hammer of God: Once there were two brothers: a clergyman and a dandy.  One lives a life of virtue and piety; the other a life of sin and darkness.  As the clergyman prays in the church, sudden judgment comes upon his wicked brother.   
     The Eye of Apollo: Miss Pauline Stacey is defiant and determined to live life by her own rules.  She is a disciple of the mysterious worshiper of the sun, Kalon.  However, things turn very wrong one day at noon. 
     The Sign of the Broken Sword: General Sir Arthur St. Clare is remembered as a brave and noble soldier and martyr of England.  But are all heroes as great as history says? 
     The Three Tools of Death: An accusation, a distressed woman, a suspect.  Father Brown comes to comfort a suffering daughter, whose father has just been murdered by his secretary.  But perhaps events are not as clear as they first appear?    

Too busy to read a book?  I highly recommend this dramatic reading by Kevin O'Brien.  Each story is prefaced and ended by Dale Ahlquist, giving interesting information about the story and about G. K. Chesterton.  This CD album can be purchased at www.ignatius.com

  

Warning: if you do not like blood, gore, and violence, these stories are rather explicit, more so than the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

"The Valley of Fear" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

     Published in 1915, this Sherlock Holmes mystery occurs before his fatal encounter with his nemesis Professor Moriaty.  Although the professor does not appear in this story, his evil and powerful presence in England is felt and acknowledged by Mr. Holmes.
     A warning comes to Holmes at 221 B Baker St.: a certain Mr. Douglas is in serious danger.  The note comes from a confederate of the diabolical Professor Moriaty.  Following the note is the arrival of Scottish police detective, Inspector MacDonald.  He announces that a Mr. Douglas of Manor House in Sussex has been brutally murdered.  Holmes and Watson quickly travel to the nearby village of Birlstone to investigate.
     The Manor House is built on the location of a medieval castle and is surrounded by a moat, complete with a drawbridge.  The residents of the house at the time of the murder are Mr. Douglas, his wife, and a close friend, Cecil James Barker.  Conflicting stories circulate concerning Mrs. Douglas and Cecil Barker: some say that Mrs. Douglas was a most devoted and faithful wife and Mr. Barker a loyal friend; others say that she seemed to be slightly partial towards Mr. Barker, which upset her husband.  This last rumor may possess more truth than fancy, at least Dr. Watson seems to think so.  He notices an absence of sorrow from the recently widowed Mrs. Douglas, and even discovers her laughing with Mr. Barker.
     The evidence points to a stranger who arrived at Birlstone shortly before the murder and has disappeared since.  Holmes, meanwhile, takes more interest in the disappearance of a dumbbell from the room where Mr. Douglas was murdered than in the stranger.  This obsession with the missing dumbbell frustrates Inspector MacDonald, but, as usual, Holmes's instincts never fail him.
     The Valley of Fear is divided into two parts: "The Tragedy of Birlstone" and "The Scowers."  The mystery will not disappoint Sherlock Holmes fans, but the second half may be less interesting to some.  The first part is the mystery surrounding the death of Mr. Douglas and the brilliant solution by Holmes.  The second part is the background story, explaining the motive behind the murder.  My sister finished this book before me, and told me that the last half of the book was not the mystery, but a separate story.  She was a little disappointed, because she had been hoping for a long Holmes mystery, like Hound of the Baskervilles.  The Valley of Fear, however, is more like A Study in Scarlet, a mystery and then a long background story.  Knowing this ahead of time, I was able to really appreciate the last half of the book.
     "The Scowers" is an incredible piece of historical fiction based in the United States during the late 1800s.  A coal mining town in Pennsylvania is run by a "mafia" type organization called The Scowers.  They are a union, but operate with violence and threats.  The inhabitants of the Valley of Fear are greatly oppressed by The Scowers, but no one can stop them.  The Scowers are wealthy and can bribe every official in the area.  The protagonist of the story is John McMurdo, a man recently arrived in the Valley of Fear from Chicago.  He joins forces with The Scowers, swiftly moving through the ranks of the fiendish crime ring.
     I really enjoyed both parts, but I especially enjoyed "The Scowers."  It is original and enthralling.  I hope you enjoy Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short novel, The Valley of Fear.
     Since writing this post, I have a few observation to add.  First of all, my sister and I have come to find the last half of this novel - the section about The Scowers - the best half of the book.

     Second, if you're like me, you love great stories but cannot always find the time to sit down with the physical copy of the book.  Whether I'm doing chores around the house or driving to school, I love having a good audiobook to listen to.  I highly recommend this Naxos Audiobook recording of The Valley of Fear performed by David Timson.  David Timson has read all of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and novels for Naxos Audiobooks.  He is remarkable at changing his voice for each of the characters.  At times you forget that you're listening to only one person.  These are amazing audiobooks for the Holmes fan or the Holmes novice.

"The Circular Staircase" by Mary Roberts Rinehart

     The hall.  The living room.  The card room.  The billiard room.  No, I'm not referring to Clue.  I'm referring to Mary Rinehart's exciting 1908 mystery novel "The Circular Staircase:" a well-mapped "Who Done It" mystery with a dash of early Edwardian culture to boot.
     Middle-aged spinster, Miss Rachel Innes, rents a large house, Sunnyside, for a summer of relaxation.  Sunnyside has different plans, though.  She is accompanied by her grown nephew and niece, Halsey and Gertrude, respectively, and her maid, Liddy Allen.  Sunnyside is a mansion, with numerous rooms and a circular staircase.  It is owned by a Mr. Paul Armstrong, the owner of the Trader's Bank.  Miss Innes is not long at Sunnyside before becoming emotionally and physically tangled in the confusing web of a first-rate mystery.
     Shortly after her arrival, Miss Innes and her household is visited in the middle of the night by a mysterious invader, who leaves nothing behind except a cuff-link and a few dents on the circular staircase.  The following night, the son of Paul Armstrong is murdered.  The prime suspects are Gertrude's fiance and Halsey.  The police and a detective, Mr. Jamieson, arrive to unravel the mystery, but it is Miss Innes, the teller of the tale, who is the true heroine of the story.  A plucky woman, with a dry sense of humor, Miss Innes is the perfect protagonist for "The Circular Staircase."