The Shadow of the Wolf

Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1925 Formatting: 8vo, pp. 320. Condition Report Good. The book remains tightly bound and structurally sound, a commendable trait for a popular genre fiction title of this era, indicating it has not suffered the heavy mishandling typical of circulating libraries. The original red cloth boards show only minor shelf wear and light bumping to the extremities. The spine, however, is heavily sunned and colour-faded, a notorious flaw associated with the fugitive red dyes utilised by publishers during this period, with some associated darkening near the joints. Internally, the text block is largely clean and legible; however, moderate, spotty foxing is present along the page block edges and is scattered across the preliminary and terminal leaves. An unassuming, contemporary ownership signature resides on the front free endpaper. Overall, a robust, honest copy that presents well despite the exterior fading. Catalogue Note This is a true UK First Edition, first printing, issued in October 1925. The book is presented in its primary publisher's red cloth binding, stamped with black lettering to the spine and upper board. While R. Austin Freeman's Dr. Thorndyke mysteries were printed in substantial commercial runs, surviving early UK first editions, particularly those that have not been heavily compromised by institutional library wear or subsequent rebinding, have become increasingly elusive on the open market. This copy retains a standard prior ownership inscription, adding a touch of contemporary provenance without detracting from the book's underlying collectability. In The Shadow of the Wolf, R. Austin Freeman delivers another masterclass in the "inverted" detective story format he pioneered. When a seemingly flawless murder is committed on the rugged Cornish coast, the perpetrator believes they have accounted for every possible variable and secured an ironclad alibi. They have, however, failed to account for the unparalleled scientific acumen of Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke. Armed with his iconic green research case, his encyclopaedic knowledge of natural history, and an unwavering commitment to forensic truth, Thorndyke meticulously deconstructs the killer's narrative. A riveting tale of suspense and deduction, proving that even the most carefully constructed lies can be unravelled by a single, microscopic clue.…