The Riddle of the Frozen Flame

by Thomas W. Hanshew, Mary E. Hanshew

Thomas W. Hanshew (1857-1914) was an American actor and writer. Hanshew's best-known creation was the consulting detective Hamilton Cleek, known as "the man of the forty faces" for his incredible skill at disguise. The central figure in dozens of short stories that began to appear in 1910 and were subsequently collected in a series of books, Cleek is based in Clarges Street, London, where he is constantly consulted by Inspector Narkom of Scotland Yard. Hamilton Cleek is laughably unrealistic, at least to the modern reader, not only for his ability to impersonate anyone but for his physical derring-do and his frequent melodramatic encounters with Margot, "Queen of the Apaches", and her partner-in-crime Merode.

Genres: Mystery, 20th Century, Crime, Audiobook

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

1857–1914

Reviews

[ShanDizzy]

More drawn out than Cleek of Scotland Yard but still enjoyable

[Mbuye]

A really ripping yarn with the great detective Hamilton Cleek, who sniffs out a crime even before it has been committed. Cleek's official designation is "consulting detective" to Scotland Yard, but he is on hire, like the old Bow Street Runners of a century previously, to the general public. He is pretty expensive, but he gets results, even if his methods are unorthodox, and often illegal. The Hamilton Cleek books were published mostly before 1914, and can best be described as the penny dreadfuls so popular for their rank improbability. Cleek too is a master of disguise, but more than that, his "birthright" is the ability actually to change the shape of his face and the timbre of his voice, added to a gift for impersonation, plus a skill with several modern languages, both European and Asian. To him that hath, more shall be given… and Cleek has brains, general knowledge, a keen observation, and intuition. Superman.

Here he is on official duty at Scotland Yard in connection with a series of daring bank robberies, when a young ex-soldier from India, having recently come into the title and property of his uncle, comes to Scotland Yard to hire his services as one of his guests has gone missing, after going out to investigate a series of "frozen flames" which has so terrified the countryside that no-one will venture across the fen after dark. A few weeks later, the soldier's batman shares the same fate. No trace of either body has been found.

Recommended reading for young adults of all ages.

[Pradeep K]

A very good mystery, though a bit lengthy. The style is mostly straightforward--readers are walked through the events as they unfold, learning what the detective learns, and are given a sporting chance at competing with the detective if they so chose, or to simply enjoy the mystery.

In the backdrop, the police are trying to solve a series of bank robberies--theft of only gold reserves--to which there seem to be no clue at all. But that is by the way. The main case: A nobleman is suspected to having murdered his guest, with all evidence pointing against him and jealousy showing for motive. Detective Cleek investigates under cover--really under multiple covers--the case which right from the start seems dark against the nobleman. At one point he simply resigns! Or, does he?

Several possibilities are imaginable as we read, but what is true? Keeps the readers guessing throughout. Only at one or two places--and this only toward the very end--a petty fact or two are guarded from the readers for a few pages, but it is nothing of as much consequence as to grudge the author.

There is a budding love story intertwined, but I was glad it was formally bound and did not spoil the taste of the mystery.

[Anna Plishak]

Продовжую знайомство з творчістю подружжя Мері і Томаса Хеншов. Черговий детектив про непересічного слідчого Ґамільтона Кліка неабияк потішив. Цей хлоп уміє не лише змінюватися до невпізнаваності, а й розплутувати найскладніші злочини на раз-два.
⠀
У "Загадці крижаного полум'я" Клік рятує від смертельного покарання молодого чоловіка, який мав необережність невчасно повернутися додому з Індії, тим самим похитнувши плани злочинному угрупуванню, що розгорнуло свою діяльність у його будинку.
⠀
Книга читалася вельми легко і принесла неабияке задоволення. Здається, у мене з'явився новий улюблений персонаж)

[Rita Marie]

Cleek of Scotland Yard strikes again. Nothing escapes his clever mind. A convoluted plot sprinkled with red herrings keeps us ordinary folks guessing right up to the end. Much as I enjoy the Sherlock Holmes stories and novels, I think I prefer Mr. Cleek.

[Ejayen]

In my dream Cleek TV show this story would be the season that doesn't fully feel like it belongs.

[Thom Swennes]

This is another book featuring Detective Hamilton Cleek who was introduced in Cleek: The Man of the Forty Faces first published in 1913. This super sleuth and master of disguise will bedazzle you once more as he ingeniously solves a new case. Without the logical mind and condescending manners of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Hamilton Cleek worms his was into your heart through your eyes and via your brain. When large amounts of English gold are stolen, Scotland Yard are called in and (as usual) mix up the facts, reach the wrong conclusions, arrest and charge the wrong man. Anyone with less natural ability would fall far short of the mark and justice would not be served. As could only logically be expected, Cleek comes to the rescue and set everything straight. It is a fascinating mystery, masterfully written in the old style. If you’re looking for a classical robbery/murder mystery, without the blood and physical gore of modern literature, The Riddle of the Frozen Flame may be exactly what you are looking for. For an old-styled mystery, it is easily readable and is bound to keep you turning the pages. The end is never in doubt but the road to discovery is both long and winding.

[Jeff Miller]

The 3rd of the Hamilton Cleek detectives stories and a very satisfying one. Has elements of the Hounds of the Baskerville in that a supernatural occurrence is leading to the death of anybody who investigates the "Frozen Flames." Cleek the man with the rubber face and the master of disguise and former master criminal is on the case.

The mystery story itself gives you enough clues to solve the mystery or at least to know who was involved and there is enough suspense and decent characterization to make it an enjoyable mystery.

[for-much-deliberation ...]

The Riddle of the Frozen Flame, this was great I enjoyed it, in some aspects it reminded me of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Its a great classic murder/crime mystery, with all the 'flames' out on the fen, the underground tunnels, the murders, the innocent rich guy, the cover ups, that really smart detective...

Well that more or less sums it all up, but its one of those 'edge of your seat' kinda mysteries so if you like such I'll suggest you try it...

This is the first work by Hanshew that I've read and I'll definitely be looking for others!!!

[Francis]

Sort of a Hardy Boy's or Nancy Drew for adults mystery featuring mysterious lights, an old country manor, tall tales, whispered amongst the local country folk and a virtuous women defending her man from a series of flagrantly wicked accusations, not to mention a body or two.

Well I liked the Hardy Boys and my daughter loved the Nancy Drew books I read to her when she was young, so, it was for me it was simply a fun and nostalgic read. Kind of one of those 'a return to simpler times' kind of things.

[Julie]

This is a classic mystery, so is old-fashioned in feel, but quite intriguing. Mr. Cleek, detective extraordinaire is called in to solve the mysterious disappearances and the frozen flame phenomenon for the relative of a friend. Using disguises, clues, and his brain he solves several mysteries in one. Easy to read and interesting

[Susan]

A clean-cut young soldier fights the sinister frame that has him accused of murder, and the beautiful young woman who loves him tries to help, but there's no help short of Cleck, the mysterious friend of Scotland Yard who can be disguised as almost anyone. Very old fashioned, but none the worse for that.

[alibrivoxfan]

Excellent reader, typical Cleek mystery.

[Robin]

It kept drawing me back. If you like Sherlock Holmes you will love this book.

[Timothy Ferguson]

Excellently read. for Librivox
This is an interesting novel, not perhaps as good as the first in the series, but still satisfying.

[Cindy B.]

Love the Cleek character and plots are absorbing, narration is always good (Ruth Golding) Recommended.

[Pablo Magnifico]

Reading the feedbooks version.

[John]

A total bore for me but if you are a lover of this kind of book, then you might give it 2 stars