Synopsis
"The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common."
This collection of detective fiction by three of its greatest exponents gathers their most celebrated works in one place—a treasure trove for anyone who relishes clever plots, unforgettable sleuths, and an eye for the truths people hide even from themselves. From Conan Doyle's foundation of cool deduction laid in the fog‑shrouded London streets, to Dorothy L. Sayers' move towards deeper psychological and social observation to the quiet, subersive brilliance of Josephine Tey, these works chart the journey of the detective story from classic whodunit to a genre layered with depth, wit, and human insight.
The full list of stories included in this collection are:
Sherlock Holmes
- A Study in Scarlet
- The Sign of Four
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
- The Hound of the Baskervilles
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
- The Valley of Fear
- His Last Bow
- The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes
Inspector Alan Grant
- The Man in the Queue
- A Shilling for Candles
- The Franchise Affair
- To Love and Be Wise
- The Daughter of Time
- The Singing Sands
Lord Peter Wimsey
- Whose Body?
- Clouds of Witness
- Unnatural Death
- Lord Peter Views the Body
- The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859—1930) was born in Edinburgh, where he qualified as a doctor before going on to create Sherlock Holmes, one of the most vivid and enduring characters in English fiction. Holmes, whose talent for deduction was modelled on the skill of Doyle's professor, Dr. Joseph Bell, first appeared in the full-length novel, A Study in Scarlet, in 1887. While Doyle wrote other works of fiction and non-fiction, none of those captured the public's imagination in the same way as consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend and chronicler, Dr. John Watson, who have become one of the most well-known detective duos in literature.
Dorothy L. Sayers (1893—1957) was an English novelist, playwright, essayist, and is regarded as one of the four "Queens of Crime" alongside Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. Best known for creating the aristocratic sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, Sayers takes the mystery genre beyond simple puzzle-solving and combines a sharp wit with complex plotting, detailed character development and social commentary. Her Lord Peter Wimsey stories have been adapted for radio and television several times, and her blend of humour, erudition, and narrative precision stands as a bridge between classic puzzle mysteries and the more character‑driven crime fiction of today.
Josephine Tey (1896-1952) was a renowned author and one of the most celebrated figures in detective fiction. Tey initially pursued a career in theatre, writing plays before shifting her focus to novels, and her writing is characterised by psychological depth, strong character development, and a subversion of traditional crime fiction norms. Her most notable works include The Daughter of Time, Brat Farrar, and The Franchise Affair, and despite her relatively small output, her influence is significant, inspiring future generations of mystery writers.
This audiobook is fully indexed. Once downloaded, each book and chapter will be listed so you can easily navigate to the individual section.