Three Cases of Samuel Johnson, Detector

This small collection is comprised of three short stories by Lillian de la Torre, a pioneer of the historical whodunnit.

"The stories of this series take place in England and Scotland between 1763, when young James Boswell met the great Sam: Johnson in Davies's back room in Russell Street, and 1784, when their close friendship was severed by the death of Johnson. They exhibit Dr. Johnson in a new role, a role which, though he assumed it but once, was well within his extraordinary possibilities—the role of detector of crime and chicane.
"The stories are written as from the pen of James Boswell, who so faithfully recorded Dr. Johnson's sayings and doings in his great biography. I hope and believe that none of these imaginary exploits of Dr. Sam: Johnson will outrage belief. Each is abundantly possible to the man upon the quickness and accuracy of whose perceptions Boswell commented."—Lillian de la Torre

"Mystery fans…will be delighted by the swift and sure movement of Dr. Johnson's mind. These are stories of ratiocination and, surprisingly enough, the result seldom humbles the reader. On the contrary, he sometimes knows the solution before Dr. Johnson explains it. This extraordinary reward may tempt the veteran of modem mystery stories."—The New York Times

Length: Approximately 21000 words