The Red Thumb Mark
R. Austin Freeman
(1907)
4/5 stars
A young gentleman, Reuben Hornby, is accused of robbing the safe where his uncle kept valuables for his business. His thumbprint, made in blood on a memorandum, is found in the safe when the loss is discovered. When Hornby, professing his innocence, is arrested, he and his distressed family seek help from the medico-legal expert, Dr. Thorndyke. The case is recounted by Thorndyke's friend and assistant, Dr. Jervis, who watches with admiration as Thorndyke slowly reveals his defense.
The real question of this novel is not so much who is guilty -- that is evident early on -- but how Thorndyke will be able to prove Hornby innocent. Thorndyke does not share all his facts with Jervis, giving the reader the opportunity to find the solution by piecing together the clues and evidence to the correct conclusion.
The Red Thumb Mark is well-written, despite the character of Thorndyke being less fleshed-out than that of Jervis, with a strong plot, good conversations, an enjoyable narrator, and a completely satisfying ending. I'm late discovering Freeman, but I look forward to reading more of the Thorndyke mysteries.
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