R Austin Freeman

The Mystery of 31 New Inn R Austin Freeman

The Mystery of 31 New Inn, a classic mystery novel by R. Austin Freeman, relates a puzzling tale from an earlier century. In the grand tradition of the great sleuths brought to life by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle comes John Thorndyke, cerebral, meticulous, British . . . and underestimated. A man falls gravely ill, but is reluctant to call a doctor. As his condition worsens, he is eventually forced to seek medical aid-but he does so only under the condition that the physician does not learn his identity or address. Dr. Jervis is therefore transported to the man's home in a 4-wheeled cab with tightly closed shutters. When he arrives, the doctor finds that the patient-who has been introduced with a pseudonym-exhibits all of the signs of morphine poisoning. But the sick man's caretaker assures Jervis that this is outside the realm of possibility. Knowing neither the patient's real name nor where he lives, Jervis feels both helpless and puzzled, so he consults his friend Dr. John Thorndyke. Versed in the nuances of medicine and law, Thorndyke is the only person who can solve this cryptic case.