Pontifex, Son and Thorndyke

by R. Austin Freeman

Paperback, 2009

Publication

House of Stratus (2009), 270 p.

Original publication date

1931

Description

This puzzling plot is related by two different characters: messenger boy Jasper Gray, who experiences several strange adventures, and Dr Jervis, friend of Dr Thorndyke. Dr Thorndyke is investigating a terrible crime, the solving of which remains elusive because of key facts remaining unknown. He needs the facts to confirm his case: Jasper could complete the blank spaces if only Thorndyke were aware of his existence ........

User reviews

LibraryThing member devenish
An ingenious mystery featuring scientific detective,Doctor Thorndyke. A young lad working as a messenger and delivery boy finds himself in the middle of an adventure involving abduction and attempted murder. At the same time Thorndyke and his friend Doctor Jervis are drawn into the investigation of
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the death of Sir Edward Hardcastle. The body of Hardcastle has been discovered hanging in an empty and abandoned house. The question to be answered is, suicide or murder ?.
As is usual with the Dr Thorndyke stories, the reader is treated to much detailed scientific data,and depending on the readers tastes in this type of thing,will either (as I do) find it quite fascinating or dry as dust and off-putting.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
This entry in the Dr. Thorndyke series combined a great example of Thorndyke at work with the sort of adventure story that I love. Young Jasper Gray gets innocently caught up in the schemes of a group of ruffians and manages to save a beautiful girl. Thorndyke & Jervis are asked by their old friend
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Brodribb to assist him regarding a missing client. Due to certain features surrounding this disappearance, the reader is instantly aware that these two narratives are related though none of the main characters know this. It was such fun watching as Thorndyke proceeds to collect facts which slowly but surely build up the case and eventually the 2 plots become one story.

Freeman has had dual narratives before in the Thorndyke series but mostly in 2 completely separate sections. This book has the two points of view interwoven and it is done in such a skillful way - each plot line has its own interest (and I can see how some readers would prefer one over the other depending on personal taste) but the switch between them was handled smoothly.
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
A mystery from two points of view. Firstly, Jasper Gray, 17, a messenger boy and his various adventures which might fill in the gaps of the second. That of Dr Jervis and his help to Dr. Thorndyke as he investigates the death of Sir Edward Hardcastle.
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in
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1931
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
4.5*
This entry in the Dr. Thorndyke series combined a great example of Thorndyke at work with the sort of adventure story that I love. Young Jasper Gray gets innocently caught up in the schemes of a group of ruffians and manages to save a beautiful girl. Thorndyke & Jervis are asked by their old
Show More
friend Brodribb to assist him regarding a missing client. Due to certain features surrounding this disappearance, the reader is instantly aware that these two narratives are related though none of the main characters know this. It was such fun watching as Thorndyke proceeds to collect facts which slowly but surely build up the case and eventually the 2 plots become one story.

Freeman has had dual narratives before in the Thorndyke series but mostly in 2 completely separate sections. This book has the two points of view interwoven and it is done in such a skillful way - each plot line has its own interest (and I can see how some readers would prefer one over the other depending on personal taste) but the switch between them was handled smoothly.
Show Less

Language

Original language

English

ISBN

9780755103720

Rating

(7 ratings; 4.1)
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