Fleming Stone

An heiress has been murdered, and only Fleming Stone can see the vital evidence. Madeleine Van Norman is the most eligible young woman in the state, a beautiful young lady who is soon to come into her fortune. From her countless suitors, she makes a peculiar choice, agreeing to marry a stuffy man who loves someone else. On the eve of the wedding, Madeleine shuts herself away in a locked room to think about what she is about to do-and in the morning, she is found gruesomely murdered. Every member of the household is a suspect, but no one understands how the killer could have slipped through the locked doors of Madeleine's bedroom. As the town whirls into a tailspin of suspicion and fear, it falls to the brilliant detective Fleming Stone to pick out the person who stabbed Madeleine to death-a baffling mystery that hinges on the discovery of a single, all-important clue.

An heiress has been murdered, and only Fleming Stone can see the vital evidence Madeleine Van Norman is the most eligible young woman in the state, a beautiful young lady who is soon to come into her fortune. From her countless suitors, she makes a peculiar choice, agreeing to marry a stuffy man who loves someone else. On the eve of the wedding, Madeleine shuts herself away in a locked room to think about what she is about to do-and in the morning, she is found gruesomely murdered. Every member of the household is a suspect, but no one understands how the killer could have slipped through the locked doors of Madeleine's bedroom. As the town whirls into a tailspin of suspicion and fear, it falls to the brilliant detective Fleming Stone to pick out the person who stabbed Madeleine to death-a baffling mystery that hinges on the discovery of a single, all-important clue. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

"The Clue" is the first in the series of mystery novels by prolific author Carolyn Wells, featuring the shrewd private investigator Fleming Stone. Beautiful young heiress Madeleine Van Norman has no shortage of eager suitors, but her chosen future husband is in love with another woman. Wretched and anxious the night before the wedding, Madeleine leaves to contemplate her future. The next morning, the guests have a shocking mystery on their hands when the bride-to-be Madeleine is found murdered. A classic 'locked-room' mystery – detective Fleming Stone is soon on the case to solve the mystery and catch the killer.

A detective investigating the murder of a millionaire teams up with master sleuth Fleming Stone in this clever mystery from a pioneer of American crime fiction Eager to prove himself as talented a crime-solver as his hero, the famous investigator Fleming Stone, young detective Herbert Burroughs takes on a puzzling case: the murder of wealthy businessman Joseph Crawford, who was killed in the study of his New Jersey home. With no shortage of suspects, the primary clue is a woman's gold bag discovered at the scene of the crime. Burroughs believes the old man's lovely niece is innocent, and he's beginning to fall for her besides. But the young woman has a clear motive: She stands to inherit the bulk of Crawford's fortune-and she admits to owning a gold purse! Her unscrupulous fiancé might be the real culprit, however, or it could be one of the millionaire victim's several disloyal servants. No matter how hard he tries, Burroughs cannot make sense of the clues he unearths, and it soon becomes apparent that only a mind as perceptive as Fleming Stone's can solve this impossible crime. So the student decides to turn to the master-even if it means seeing the object of his heart's desire proven guilty once and for all. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

The second in the 'Fleming Stone' series of mystery novels by popular author Carolyn Wells, 'The Gold Bag' centres on the mysterious murder of a wealthy businessman Joseph Crawford – killed in the comfort of his own home. Amateur young detective Herbert Burroughs is on the case, but finds himself increasingly baffled by the many clues he unearths. Matters are complicated when he realises he is growing romantically attached to one of the suspects, and so he calls on the famous investigator Fleming Stone for help.

A Manhattan lawyer turns to master detective Fleming Stone to prove his beautiful neighbor innocent of murder in this classic locked-room mystery A respectable young attorney in New York City, Otis Landon has barely settled into his new living quarters when an incident occurs in a neighboring apartment that he cannot, in good conscience, ignore. Robert Pembroke, a vicious, miserly man, has been murdered behind locked doors. The only people who had access to the victim were his servant and his niece. The latter, Miss Janet Pembroke, seems the suspect most likely to have eliminated her uncle with a hatpin, but her obvious distress and gentle demeanor convince Landon she is innocent. Besides, he may be falling in love with her.   Obsessed with proving Miss Pembroke's innocence, Landon follows a perplexing chain of evidence that includes a railroad schedule, a key to a safe deposit box, ticket stubs to a music hall performance, and a monogrammed handkerchief. But with time running out and no solution in sight, he must turn to Fleming Stone, the only detective smart enough to make sense of it all. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Master detective Fleming Stone returns in 'A Chain of Evidence', the third in the mystery novel series by prolific author Carolyn Wells. An attorney in New York City, Otis Landon overhears a commotion in a neighbouring apartment and discovers that his neighbour Robert Pembroke has been brutally murdered in the melee. A mean, miserly old man, Pembroke had no shortage of enemies, but only two people have keys to his apartment – one of whom Otis is falling in love with. With his judgement clouded, Otis calls on Fleming Stone to help crack the case. A thrilling instalment in the mystery series from the popular author.

Philip Maxwell's talent is hosting dinner parties, he fills his rambling estate with young, attractive, and charming guests. His latest dinner party, however, comes to an abrupt end at the hands of a wayward bullet. The gun that brought an end to Philip Maxwell's life is immediately found - in the hands of an unconscious woman. Every attendee is a suspect, and Philip's friend Peter King shoulders the burden of solving the crime, that is until Detective Fleming Stone and his expertise arrives. This entertaining read is the fourth instalment of Carolyn Wells 'Fleming Stone' series and is an excellent reflection of the time in which it was written. Carolyn Well's excellent portrayal and conclusion of an 'impossible crime' is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie.

A high-class soiree turns deadly in this classic mystery featuring the ingenious investigator Fleming Stone Phillip Maxwell has a rare gift for hosting parties. He fills his spacious estate with a wide range of lively, personable, and attractive revelers, ever the guarantee of a fine time for all. But his latest fete is interrupted when a bullet abruptly and permanently curtails the festivities. The murder weapon is quickly located in the hand of an unconscious woman lying next to the corpse, and the victim is none other than the convivial host himself! Despite the damning evidence implicating the comatose woman, Maxwell's friend Peter King realizes that virtually everyone on the guest list is a suspect. King came to the party hoping to spend time with the delightful Irene Gardner, but he now finds himself saddled with the unenviable task of having to ferret out a killer. His burden is considerably lightened, however, when master detective Fleming Stone arrives to investigate the perplexing crime. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Anybody But Anne' is the fifth in the 'Fleming Stone' series of detective novels by prolific author Carolyn Wells. Wealthy David Van Wyck has decided to become a philanthropist and leave his entire vast fortune to the local community. Whilst a noble intention, his family are opposed to the notion as it would leave them penniless. Following a meeting to certify his intentions, David is found dead in a locked room. His beautiful wife Anne is the obvious suspect, but there are many others who would have reason to want David out of the picture. A thrilling whodunnit from the popular author.

Justin Arnold's abrupt disappearance from his own mansion cuts his weekend festivities short. When local police are unable to locate him, a missing person case quickly becomes a murder investigation, and experts are called to his seemingly impenetrable estate. The sixth instalment of Carolyn Wells' 'Fleming Stone' series, this locked-room mystery is captivating, clever, and intricate - a must-read for those who enjoyed the impossible mystery of the 'Knives Out' movie.

In Long Island, wealthy heiress Lucy Carrington has been found murdered in her own home. There are a whole host of suspects leaving local police baffled. Expert detective Fleming Stone is brought in to help solve the mystery, but when he finds himself falling for one of the chief suspects will the case be compromised? The seventh in the Fleming Stone mystery series by popular author Carolyn Wells.

A young heiress learns of the death of her uncle and is determined to find out who is the murderer. Carolyn Wells inspires and entertains with her classical mystery masterpiece, the Mark of Cain, guaranteed to feed the mystery monster that craves suspense! (goodreads)

Millionaire Rowland Trowbridge has been found murdered, and his niece is determined to find the culprit. A young boy called Fibsy who worked in Trowbridge's office is able to piece together key clues, showing up the inefficiency of the police investigation so far, and requests the help of skilled detective Fleming Stone. With a whole host of suspicious characters and devious motives, this will be a tricky crime to solve. A classic whodunnit from the skilful mystery writer Carolyn Wells.

Victoria Van Allen is something of a riddle for her neighbour, Chester Calhoun. Known as Vicky Van to her friends, she is somewhat avant-garde but respected nonetheless. When a millionaire is stabbed to death at one of her famed dinner parties, she flees the scene before the police can be contacted, unwittingly placing herself at the centre of their investigation. As it is discovered that the deceased had ties to Vicky's past, and detective Fleming Stone is called in to bring her to justice, Chester grapples with his affection for Vicky and his moral obligation to the police. Inventive, taut, and rational, this novel is ideal for fans of writers like Arthur Conan Doyle.

Wealthy, eccentric, inveterate practical jokester Ursula Pell has often reminded her live-in niece Iris Clyde that when she dies, Iris will inherit a beautiful diamond pin. Iris has no reason to doubt her aunt, since it is known that Mrs. Pell has a secret cache of jewels that, presumably, her few heirs will inherit.

The tenth in the Fleming Stone series of mystery novels, 'The Diamond Pin' is a classic whodunnit. Fabulously wealthy Ursula Pell is fond of playing tricks on her family and friends – much to her delight and their distaste. They dare not protest, for fear of being left out of her sizeable will. One day however, her niece Iris reaches breaking point. When Ursula is found murdered in a locked room, is Iris to blame? Or is there more to the crime than meets the eye? Detective Fleming Stone is on hand to help get to the bottom of it. A thrilling crime mystery from popular American author Carolyn Wells.

Raspberry Jam is a classic locked-room whodunit featuring Detective Fleming Stone and is widely considered to be one of the best of the Fleming Stone Mysteries. Millionaire Sanford Embury is found dead in bed, alone, with the door of his second-story bedroom bolted shut from the inside. He was known to be a controlling husband, refusing to give his pretty young wife an allowance of cash or her own checking account. Was his wife a party to the murder, or perhaps did she commit the murder in a fit of rage? Who else had a motive? And how does a clue of raspberry jam point to the killer? (goodreads)

The eleventh in the Fleming Stone series of mystery novels by prolific author Carolyn Wells, 'Raspberry Jam' is one of the most popular stories in the series. Millionaire Sanford Embury has been found dead in his bedroom. Alone, the door was locked from the inside. Suspicion immediately falls upon his feisty wife Eunice, with whom Embury had a tempestuous relationship, but is she really capable of murder? Full of mystery, drama, and danger, this is a classic detective novel from popular author Carolyn Wells.

Sam Appleby pays a weekend visit to Sycamore Ridge, Dan Wheeler's Connecticut estate. His intentions are not innocent, however, as they are old political rivals, and Appleby wants Wheeler's support for his son's campaign as he runs for Governor. Tension rises between the two men and a small fire erupts. As chaos ensues, a gunshot rings out and Appleby is found dead in his chair, with a bullet directly through his heart. Wheeler is the obvious suspect of course, but as more and more possible suspects begin to pile up, their equally concrete motives baffle the local police. Detective Fleming Stone and his witty assistant Fibsy are called to bring an end to the mystery. This captivating novel is essential for fans of politically motivated mystery novels, such as President Bill Clinton and James Patterson's 'The President's Daughter'.

John Waring's life has never been better. He has just been elected as president of Corinth University, and his engagement has been confirmed to an attractive local widow. Just as it doesn't seem that anything could mess this up, a strange girl walks into his life. When Waring is found dead behind the bolted doors of his study, detective Fleming Stone only has the small footprints found outside the French windows as clues to solve the murder. A locked-room mystery at its best, Carolyn Wells' novel is delightfully reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes'.

John Waring seems to have everything to look forward to. He's just been elected as president of Corinth University, and his engagement has been confirmed to an attractive local widow, who loves him dearly. But then there appears on the scene a beautiful and mysterious young woman who's quite clearly lying about who she is. At sight of her, Waring is clearly more than startled. Later that night he continues to work alone in his study, all doors locked, and the following morning he's found dead at his desk, stabbed in the jugular. Aside from the locked doors, just to make matters more mysterious there's no trace of the weapon. There are, however, small footprints in the snow outside the study's French windows, and these lead toward the boarding house where the Mystery Girl is lodging. (goodreads)

Murder mystery novelist Mr Curran is found dead in a locked room following a dinner party. The disappearance of his fiancé makes her the most obvious suspect – but there is more to this case than meets the eye. Detective Kinney is on the case, but the meddling of the other guests means he needs to call on the services of Detective Fleming Stone. The fourteenth in the 'Fleming Stone' series of detective novels by prolific author Carolyn Wells, this is a classic murder mystery.

Homer Vincent lives in the beautiful house called Greatlarch in New England, with his wife and niece. Though outwardly the family appear to have a charmed life, the house is haunted by an ancient legend. When a harp sounds in the copse known as Spooky Hollow, it is said that a violent death will soon follow. The prophecy comes true when Homer's wife is found murdered in a locked room – but who is to blame for her violent death? Will detective Fleming Stone be able to solve the case? A classic whodunnit from the popular and prolific mystery author Carolyn Wells.

The Furthest Fury' is the sixteenth book in the popular Fleming Stone detective series by author Carolyn Wells. David Stanhope is visiting friends in Connecticut when he hears of the brutal murder of a brother and sister who live locally. Suspects are wide-ranging, including the son of one of Stanhope's own friends. With only the bumbling local police to help him solve the case, Stanhope does not get very far and is forced to call on the investigative skills of Fleming Stone. With plenty of twists and turns, this is a gripping detective novel.

Prillilgirl' is the seventeenth in the hugely popular Fleming Stone series of detective stories by American author Carolyn Wells. Successful playwright Mallory Vane has been found stabbed to death – and his own pen was the murder weapon. When the prints of prominent actor Guy Thorndike's wife are found all over the murder weapon, it appears to be an open and shut case. But all is not as it seems, and when local law enforcement fail to get to the bottom of it, the detective skills of Fleming Stone are required.

Published in 1925, 'The Daughter of the House' is the nineteenth book in the Fleming Stone mystery series by prolific American author Carolyn Wells. The owner of Langdene House is the glass-collector David Lang, who lives here with his hypochondriac wife Eleanor and daughter Mary. When all hell breaks loose on Mary's wedding day, Detective Fleming Stone is called to help solve the mystery of three deaths. Full of intrigue, this is a classic crime thriller from author Carolyn Wells.

Book 50 in the Detective Club Crime Classics series is Carolyn Wells' Murder in the Bookshop, a classic locked room murder mystery which will have a special resonance for lovers and collectors of Golden Age detective fiction. Includes a bonus murder story: 'The Shakespeare Title-Page Mystery'. When Philip Balfour is found murdered in a New York bookstore, the number one suspect is his librarian, a man who has coveted Balfour's widow. But when the police discover that a book worth $100,000 is missing, detective Fleming Stone realises that some people covet rare volumes even more highly than other men's wives, and embarks on one of his most dangerous investigations. A successful poet and children's author, Carolyn Wells discovered mystery fiction in her forties and went on to become one of America's most popular Golden Age writers. Penning 82 detective novels between 1909 and her death in 1942, she was mourned in 1968 by the great John Dickson Carr as one of mystery fiction's 'lost ladies now well lost', and remains undeservedly neglected 50 years later. Murder in the Bookshop is a story laced with criminality, locked rooms and bookish intricacies that any bibliophile will find irresistible. This Detective Club hardback is introduced by award-winning writer and authority on Golden Age detective fiction, Curtis Evans, and includes 'The Shakespeare Title-Page Mystery', a murderous tale of literary shenanigans that was one of the last pieces of detective fiction which Carolyn Wells ever published.