The Gloved Hand

by Burton Egbert Stevenson

Mr. Lester, a private investigator, and his friend Godfrey are caught up in a strange case that takes them to a large estate in the country where at midnight they witness a mysterious "falling star" that appears to burst into a shower of sparks over two white robed figures standing in the air. There is a young lady in a flowing white dress and many more twists and complications before the mystery is solved.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Classics, Ebooks, Fiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Burton Egbert Stevenson was an American author, journalist, anthologist, and librarian. He attended Princeton University 1890–1893 and married Elizabeth Shepard Butler. Marietta College awarded him the degree of Litt.D. in 1955.

The Stevenson Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe is named after him.

Reviews

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1913 (or 1920?), this mystery is fairly pedestrian and even I, who rarely can figure out clues to solve a mystery, thought I had this one solved well before even half way through the book.  Still, there were a couple of sub-plots that added a bit of suspense.  Stars more finely tuned = 2.6

 What I did find interesting was the author himself.  Born and died in Chillicothe, Ohio, not far from my hometown, he graduated from Princeton, became Library Director in Chillicothe in 1899 and held that position for 58 years!  I had hoped this book might be set in southwest Ohio, but instead it is set in an area in the north part of the Bronx, which is described as being quite rural/small town at that time.  More info about Burton Egbert Stevenson can be found on wikipedia.

[Scott Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stevenson was a relatively prolific writer and seemed to have enjoyed the mystery/detective genre of which The Gloved Hand is a solid example. Although his story shows a particularly weak understanding of occidentalism, it nevertheless serves as an interesting backdrop for the peculiar con game unmasked here. While this would never meet the test of modern detective work, in its historical context, it is a good read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great classic mystery. A lawyer, Mr. Lester, is pulled into a mystery by his friend, Mr. Godfrey, a newspaper reporter. The mystery surrounds a man and his daughter and a yogi and his helper. When the man is found killed, the daughter's would be fiancee is implicated and the friends work to find the real murderer. Greed, Hinduism, strange phenomenon, ladders, gardens, safes, fingerprints, bloody handkerchiefs, a crystal, a snake--all come together to make a riveting mystery. Well-written

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic murder mystery that was originally published in a magazine in 1913. This was a free download from Amazon. Two friends- one a lawyer and one a reporter work to find the killer of a wealthy neighbor who has become a follower of a strange yogi.

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Con artist, murder, romance - fun & relatively easy to figure. Well narrated by Don W. Jenkins.

[Rita Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable mystery, but still a fun read. I enjoyed the exotic Eastern swami and his scary cobra. And the story does have a nice little twist at the end.

[Maria Sanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un giallo classico ottimamente costruito.

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good solid mystery. I enjoyed it's foray(s) into mysticism and mystics; love, friendship, support and honor. The tale is quite well written and plotted, as well.

[András Csapó · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whodunit with some Hindu background. I liked it, especially the involvement of fringerprint analysis.

[Quiver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery, although a bit predictable.