Freeman, R Austin - The D'Arblay Mystery (1926)

Review by Nick Fuller

5/5

One of Freeman’s best. It is the tale of a murdered millionaire and a ditto waxwork modeller, a dying man and his coffin, and a forged coin—narrated by the usual young physician. The detection is fascinating: new facts are always being discovered, and the emphasis on logic exhilarating. The dénouement is amazingly ingenious, and increased by the fact that the reader is thoroughly puzzled to the end. The lore of waxworks and coining is fascinating, and the scene (a Dickensian London) is first-class. Note the surreal aspects of the waxworks and the fact that the attacks on the hero and heroine actually increase suspense.

The D'Arblay Mystery (1926) has a puzzle plot somewhat in the tradition of the early trilogy. It is a thoroughly unlikable book, whose use of racial stereotypes marks it as a low point in Freeman's fiction.

Mike Grost

While strolling through the countryside near Highgate, Dr. Stephen Gray happens to find the body of Julius D'Arblay, a middle-aged waxwork maker and engraver. At first sight it looks like an accident or suicide, but the inquest reveals a cunning murder, and Gray, who has fallen for D'Arblay's daughter Marion, asks his old mentor Dr. Thorndyke to investigate. Both Marion and Gray come under attack before Thorndyke is able to work out the complex sequence of events and lay hands on the killer.

This is Thorndyke at his best, beavering away industriously in the background with the aid of the indispensable Polton while the young graduate Gray stumbles one by one over the facts of the case. The plots that are uncovered are prolonged and elaborate, and on sober reflection afterwards one might ask: 'Why didn't the criminal simply vanish when the murder was detected?' -- but while the story is going on the reader is happy to suspend disbelief. There are some amusing medical characters and the police presence is headed by the bright but baffled Inspector Miller and the resourceful Sergeant Plonk. Highly recommended.

The D'Arblay Mystery should soon be available from Gutenberg Australia.

Jon.