Books For Autumn Reading


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Some seasons are especially suited for certain genres of books and everyting about fall, from chilly nights and falling leaves to deepening shadows and wool coats and tweeds, call for a mystery. Vintage mysteries and detective books–ones that were published in the era of class that these stories took place in– are among the very best.  For those of you shopping for a fall birthday (or early Christmas gift) or looking for a book to read by the fire on a crisp night here are a few suggestions.

  • Sherlock Holmes by Sir A. Conan Doyle, Although all of his Sherlock Holmes adventures are not equal to each other, some being far superior to others, most of them are worth pursuing and are quite a pleasant way to spend an evening. There is a reason why they appear on every mystery list.
  • The Red House Mystery by A.A Milne, the famed author of Winnie The Pooh was (unknown to many) an excellent craftsman of a good “murder in the mansion” whodunit. Originally published in 1922 this fun book deserves to be reintroduced to this generation. Set in the delightful grounds of a British mansion and sure to keep you guessing! The dedication in the front of the book reads:

“To John Vine Milne My Dear Father,  Like all really nice people you have a weakness for detective stories and feel that there are not enough of them. So, after all that you have done for me, the least that I can do for you is to write you one. Here it is– with more gratitude and affection than I can well put down here. ~A. A. Milne”

  • The Problem Of Cell 13 by Jacques Futrelle, this short story deals with a detective that makes a bet that a man who uses his brain can escape from ANY prison cell, and to prove it they can place him in the highest security cell they have and he will be out in a week….