Looking Back: "Diagnosis: Impossible"

If you think you would enjoy the "impossible crime" stories of Edward D. Hoch contained in "More Things Impossible," reviewed on the podcast this week, then let me call your attention to the first volume of these marvelous stories featuring Dr. Sam Hawthorne.

I reviewed "Diagnosis: Impossible, the Problems of Dr. Sam Hawthorne" here last year. They are marvelous stories of seemingly impossible-to-explain crimes. A few examples:

• The story of a horse and carriage which drives into one end of a covered bridge - and vanishes;
• The murder of a man stabbed to death inside a locked caboose on a moving railroad train;
• Another stabbing, this time of a man alone inside a voting booth;
• The country inn bandit who might have been a ghost;
• A small boy disappears from a schoolyard swing;
• The disappearance of a notorious criminal from a locked jail cell.

There are a dozen stories in all, and they all chronicle some seeming impossibility that will, of course, be duly explained by the end of the story. They are perfect for curling up in a comfortable chair or in bed on a chilly fall evening, with Halloween on the way.

Comments

[Yvette]

These collections sound really intriguing. I've never heard of these stories before. Thanks for letting me know about them. I'm adding the titles to my TBR.

Now, don't forget you mean to read TOUR DE FORCE by Christianna Brand. I can't recommend it enough. :)

[Les Blatt]

Yvette, I have TOUR DE FORCE on order at Amazon - they say it's temporarily out of stock, but will ship as soon as they restock it. For my readers who don't know what we're talking about, check out Yvette's review at http://yvettecandraw.blogspot.com/2011/10/monday-review-tour-de-force-1955-by.html and you will want to read the book too!

[Yvette]

Thanks for the plug, Les.

Did you try getting a used copy? I'm eager to know your opinion of this book. :)

[Les Blatt]

You're welcome, Yvette. I'm waiting for the in-print edition mostly because I want to write it up for this blog - and I try (with occasional failures) to limit the podcasts to reviews of books that are in print and readily available. I'm hoping that it won't be a long wait - if this is coming from a POD publisher, Amazon should have it in a few days.

[Yuka]

Thank you for your podcast and blog.
Based on your recommendation I read (rather listen) "the moonstone". Great!
Without your comments, I did not think I have tried it.

[Les Blatt]

Yuka, I'm glad you enjoyed "The Moonstone." Many mysteries can now be heard on audio, including many of the classics. I hope you continue to enjoy them!