{"code":"mystery","header_2":"The unknown, the unseen and the unheard.","header_1":"The Best Mystery Short Stories of History","description":"The best mystery short stories of history, Cool Air by H. P. Lovecraft, The Magic Shop by H. G. Wells, The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton by Arthur Conan Doyle.","stories":[{"story":"the-adventure-of-charles-augustus-milverton","description":"There has to be one Sherlock Holmes story, and this one stands out above the rest in my eyes. Holmes must help the Lady Evan Brackwell, who has fallen prey to the infamous king of blackmail, Charles Augustus Milverton. But unlike most of Holmes’ stories,  he is unable to capture the villain at the end."},{"story":"the-blue-cross","description":"G. K. Chesterton introduces the famous priest-turned-detective, Father Brown in *The Blue Cross*. A Paris policeman attempts to track down the notorious criminal Flambeau and finds peculiar clues on the way that seem to have been left behind on purpose."},{"story":"the-stolen-crime","description":"A clever tale by the creative mind of Richard Connell. After an innocent discussion on what could constitute the perfect heist, the very act is committed the next day."},{"story":"the-gateway-of-the-monster","description":"Thomas Carnacki brings to his cases not only a magnifying glass, but chalk and vacuum tubes. For he has more than mere human murderers to contend with. *The Gateway of the Monster* is the first of the occult detective’s story, where he faces off with a particularly destructive spirit."},{"story":"the-magic-shop","description":"A mysterious shop with a mysterious shopkeeper is a common trope, but probably because H. G. Wells wrote it first. A father is pulled into one of these stores by his son, where the shopman demonstrates tricks that appear less and less like ‘tricks’ and more and more like genuine miracles. The final trick leaves the father demanding to know what has happened to his son."},{"story":"the-mystery-of-hunters-lodge","description":"Hercule Poirot is perhaps the best selling character of all time. In *The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge*, he doesn’t even need to get out of his bed to solve a thrilling mystery. Kept to his bed by *La Grippe*, Poirot sends his associate Hastings to help a man whose uncle has been shot in the back of the head in the gun-room of his own hunting lodge."},{"story":"cool-air","description":"Lovecraft was a man scared of many things, often taking inspirations from his nightmares. But what could possible have been the inspiration for this story about the fear of cold air? Read about a man who lodges underneath a scientist that never leaves his room, a room full of contraptions and chemicals, and kept to freezing temperatures all day long. It is written in the typical, fancy tongue of Lovecraft, but more creepy and mysterious than horrifying as his other stories usually are."},{"story":"the-story-of-the-late-mr-elvesham","description":"Wells provides a great mystery again in *The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham*. Edward Eden is approached by a strange man revealing himself to be the famous philosopher Egbert Elvesham, who has chosen to bequeath his wealthy inheritance upon Eden, but only if Eden agrees to take his name. This mystery gives very little away, but see if you can guess where it is going before the unfortunate protagonist does."},{"story":"the-terror-of-blue-john-gap","description":"Arthur Conan Doyle would appreciate you reading one of his non-Holmes stories, in which he took greater pride. And you will appreciate it too, as it is expertly written. Dr. James Hardcastle hears rumour that something lurking within an opening to an old mine is responsible for sheep going missing on moonless nights. He can’t help himself from investigating within the tunnel. A thrilling adventure awaits him."},{"story":"the-nameless-city","description":"Another Lovecraft story, but this one with many fewer answers given. An explorer hears a forceful wind leaving a cave entrance and enters to find out its origin. *The Nameless City* is a strong example of Lovecraft’s style, from the language of the descriptions to the very typical title."}],"title":"Best of Mystery","subroute":"mystery","authors":["arthurconandoyle","agathachristie","gkchesterton","williamhopehodgson"],"has_text":true,"quote":{"quote":"“Heaven help the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation come into the power of Milverton.” * The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton","code":"the-adventure-of-charles-augustus-milverton"},"image_code":"the-adventure-of-charles-augustus-milverton","image_alt":"Drawing of a man in a robe and top hat stands in the shadows with his hands clasped.","collection_type":"genre"}