The Dead Letter and The Figure Eight

by Metta Victoria Fuller Victor

Before Raymond Chandler, before Dorothy Sayers or Agatha Christie, there was Metta Fuller Victor, the first American author—man or woman—of a full-length detective novel. This novel, The Dead Letter , is presented here along with another of Victor’s mysteries, The Figure Eight . Both written in the 1860s and published under the name Seeley Regester, these novels show how—by combining conventions of the mystery form first developed by Edgar Allan Poe with those of the domestic novel—Victor pioneered the domestic detective story and paved the way for generations of writers to follow. In The Dead Letter , Henry Moreland is killed by a single stab to the back. Against a background of post–Civil War politics, Richard Redfield, a young attorney, helps Burton, a legendary New York City detective, unravel the crime. In The Figure Eight, Joe Meredith undertakes a series of adventures and assumes a number of disguises to solve the mystery of the murder of his uncle and regain the lost fortune of his angelic cousin.

Genres: Fiction, 19th Century, Mystery

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Metta Victoria Fuller Victor (née Metta Victoria Fuller; nom de plume Seeley Regester ) (March 2, 1831 – June 26, 1885) was an American novelist, credited with authoring of one of the first detective novels in the United States. She wrote more than 100 dime novels, pioneering the field.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nancy Oakes]

like a 3.5, although to me this book is just downright fun and an example of early American fiction in which, as Catherine Ross Nickerson notes, "the domestic sphere" is "most able to support the detective story and the area most in need of investigation." After reading these two novels, I can see why.

I loved The Dead Letter -- lots of dark craziness going on in here -- but I found the second book, The Figure Eight not quite as good. The Dead Letter is much more the detective novel showcasing the author's talent, with a good plot, and careful consideration to characters (and okay, a swoon-worthy combo of adventure, romance and a lot of erotically-charged female sexuality) ; the second book also a murder mystery, much more gothic than the first, complete with a sleepwalking governess in white (shades of Anne Catherick!) and emphasizing the home as a place requiring surveillance (and an investigator in disguise). Both are, however, quite fun and must reads for people interested in the works of more obscure American women writers.

for the very long version (there are two novels under consideration here), I'll refer anyone who may be interested to the crime page of my online reading journal; otherwise read on.

What's culturally and historically significant about this volume is that The Dead Letter is actually, according to Catherine Ross Nickerson in her most interesting book The Web of Iniquity: Early Detective Fiction by American Women , "the first American detective novel." (29). Both books are also, as she notes,

"documents of a moment in cultural history when the young professional seemed to hold the promise of mediating between the cloudy-minded nostalgia of the landed class and the unprincipled greed of the merchant and capitalist classes." (31)

While there's definitely a LOT going on between the lines and a lot going on here that is discussion worthy, these books are also fun reads for anyone interested in American literature of this period that won't likely be found on any general American Lit course syllabus. For someone like myself who loves these old books and who tries to read between the lines as to the cultural climate (especially in terms of women and also in terms of the the relationships between the main characters and other ethnic groups) , politics, and the historical significance of the time in which they were written, it is a goldmine. On the other hand, they're definitely not for everyone, but if for no other reason, the fact that Metta Fuller Victor made an appearance before Anna Katherine Green (who I've always believed was the first American detective novelist) makes her extremely readworthy.

[tortoise dreams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've reviewed The Dead Letter previously, which was bit better than The Figure Eight. The latter book is much more awkwardly written, as Victor tries to write simultaneously in the first and third person. There is no one central character or detective, though still a murder mystery of sorts solved by psychologically supernatural means (I don't think that gave anything away). Published in 1869, Victor already uses the plot of the accused going on the lam to solve the crime (which he doesn't). The characters have a smattering of depth and conflicting motives which makes for some interesting tensions. Of its time, Cubans and the Spanish get a share of disparagement: "Spanish women, as a rule, were not notoriously good." Who knew? What happened to the duennas? One character goes in for black-face as a disguise. Jane Eyre (1847) is mentioned as proper reading material. Valuable as a historical artifact and another example of Victor's writing, an entertaining read though not quite up to the standards we expect today. And don't pin your hopes on the great secret of the "Figure Eight." Even after learning the secret in the final chapter, I didn't really get it.

[Jerry Jonckheere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book that was written in the 1860s and was one of the first detective thriller genre books… and was the first written by a woman. While the pace was a bit slow, the deliberate nature of the writing was easy to follow. As a history buff, I loved the time-consistent descriptions of religion, mysticism, and gender. Very good read.

[Deb Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first American detective novel published. It's a good story, appropos of the times in which it was written.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found these two novels, the first full-length American detective novels, enjoyable and the mysteries interesting. Both books were similar in character development. I found "The Dead Letter" puzzle more intriguing. The manners and romantic aspects of the period (1860s) made interesting reading.

I may have noted before, I do not to give much information about the story in my "reviews". Why repeat the story descriptions that are found in the blurbs? I tend to read as little as possible of a book's dust cover. I want it to be a surprise. If the first two or three sentences of the blurb grabs my interest I will try the book.

I do not give much info in my reviews. This comes from my dislike of book reports in school. I always thought those reports which were to offer the descriptions of characters, the plot, motives, locations, author's reason for penning the book, etc., gave away all the elements of the story. After reading my poorly written synopsis of the book, why would anyone want to read it? The surprise has been dashed. (Besides being mangled by my writing.) I could read many more books if I just read the blurbs and reviews. Like television adverts I avoid reviews and most of the dust cover blurb. Surprise and mystery are two of the many spices of life.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Redfield is no Sam Spade. The narrator of what is generally considered the first American detective novel is melodramatic, sensitive and paranoid. If there is innovation in this character, it is perhaps that he anticipates Watson, the observer who chronicles the achievements of a more brilliant mind.

The Dead Letter is as much 19th century domestic novel as it is a modern mystery. The narrator frequently pauses to ponder emotional implications, and the case moves slowly until nearing the climax. The novel presents an intriguing bundle of sensibilities, though, and holds up as a quirky but captivating read.

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable combination of 19th century prose and whodunnit. Nothing to outstanding or surprise, but a good read...as the site says.

[Mary]

These books are simply so good.. prime examples of early gothic/detective fiction from one of the best and (and least known) women authors.