The Uttermost Farthing - Softcover

Freeman, R Austin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1162711345 ISBN 13: 9781162711348

Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

The Uttermost Farthing is a mystery novel written by R. Austin Freeman. The story follows the investigation of a murder case by Dr. John Thorndyke, a forensic scientist and lawyer. The victim, a wealthy businessman named Felix Hearne, is found dead in his study with a bullet wound to the head. The prime suspect is the victim's nephew, Ronald, who has a motive for the murder and was seen leaving the house around the time of the crime. However, Thorndyke is not convinced of Ronald's guilt and begins to investigate the case from a scientific perspective. He uses his knowledge of forensic science, including fingerprint analysis and ballistics, to uncover new evidence and challenge the assumptions of the police. As the investigation progresses, Thorndyke uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal among the victim's family and associates, leading to a surprising conclusion. The Uttermost Farthing is a classic mystery novel that combines elements of science and detective work to create a compelling and suspenseful story.""After the visit of the detective, I was rather at a loose end. That unknown wretch was still at large. He had to be found and I had to find him since the police could not. But how? That detective had completely upset my plans and, for a time, I could think of no other. Then came the dirty rascal who had tried to murder me in the chalk-pit; and from his mongrel jargon, half cockney, half foreign, I had gathered a vague hint. If I could not entice the criminal population into my domain, how would it be to reconnoiter theirs?This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

About this title

About the Author

Deemed 'the father of the scientific detective story', Richard Austin Freeman enjoyed a prolific career that saw him gain qualifications as pharmacist and surgeon, pull off a diplomatic coup along the Gold Coast, work for Holloway Prison and then become a formidable writer of fiction. He was born in London, the son of a tailor who went on to train as a pharmacist. After graduating as a surgeon at the Middlesex Hospital Medical College, Freeman taught for a while and then joined the colonial service, offering his skills as an assistant surgeon along the Gold Coast of Africa. He became embroiled in a diplomatic mission when a British expeditionary party was sent to investigate the activities of the French. Through his tact and formidable intelligence, a massacre was narrowly avoided. His future was therefore assured in the colonial service. However, after becoming ill with black-water fever, Freeman was sent back to England to recover and finding his finances precarious, embarked on a career as acting physician in Holloway Prison. In desperation, he also turned to writing where he went on to dominate the world of British detective fiction, taking pride in testing different criminal techniques. So keen was he, part of one of his best novels was written in a bomb shelter. For the first twenty-five years of his writing career, Freeman was to dominate and remain unrivalled in the world of detective fiction, introducing the well-loved and highly memorable 'Dr Thorndyke'. The continued success of this character has affirmed Richard Austin Freeman's place amongst the finest of crime writers.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1162711345
• ISBN 13: 9781162711348
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 134