The Exploits of Dr. Sam Johnson, Detector

Dr. Sam Johnson #4

by Lillian de la Torre

Literary legend Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell, solve mysteries in eighteenth-century London in this delightful story collection. A brilliant thinker and his trusted assistant sit in their drawing room, pondering a story in the newspaper, when the door opens and the subject of the article enters, begging for help. It’s a classic scene from English detective fiction, set not at 221B Baker Street, but 1 Inner Temple Lane—the home of Dr. Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell. This mystery, concerning a disputed title, a kidnapped earl, and one of the greatest fortunes in England, will be no match for Dr. Johnson.   Based on true criminal cases of the era and inspired by Boswell’s legendary Life of Johnson, the seven stories in this volume touch on witchcraft, murder, theft, and the scientific breakthroughs of the Enlightenment.   “I am lost without my Boswell,” said Sherlock Holmes—and Dr. Johnson was no different. Lillian de la Torre’s delightful stories of Boswell and Johnson show the original Watson and Holmes in action.    

Genres: Historical Mystery, Historical, Crime, Mystery

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1987

About the author

Lillian de la Torre was an American novelist and a prolific writer of historical mysteries. Her name is a pseudonym for Lillian de la Torre Bueno McCue.

Her most popular works were in a series of stories she wrote about Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, under the title 'Dr. Sam: Johnson, Detector'. She also wrote numerous books, short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, reviews for The New York Times Book Review, poetry and plays. She was a President of the Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this series.

There is no real suspense or violence in these tales and a bit of real history in the bargain. Done.

[Jeff Hobbs]

Read so far:

The Kidnapp'd Earl--
The Westcombe Witch--2
The Banquo Trap--
The Spirit of the '76--3
The Virtuosi Venus--3
The Aerostatick Globe--2
Coronation Story--2