The Case Of The Golden Bullet

by Auguste Groner, Grace Isabel Colbron (translator)

He has neither the impressive authority of Sherlock Holmes, nor the keen brilliancy of Monsieur Lecoq.

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Crime

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Auguste Groner (née Kopallik ) was an Austrian writer from Vienna. In english-speaking countries she often is known as Augusta Groner. She sometimes wrote under the masculine pseudonym August Groner, and also published under the pseudonyms Olaf Björnson, A. of the Paura, Renorga and Metis.

Reviews

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1895, this German/Austrian murder mystery was translated into English by Grace Isabel Colbron. Joseph Muller is a detective of the same caliber as Sherlock Holmes, Hamilton Cleek and Inspector Clouseau (of Pink Panther fame) and, like all of them he has his flaws. It isn’t the arrogance of Holmes nor is it neither the simplicity of Cleek nor the bumbling luck of Clouseau but Muller’s great fault is sympathy for his prey. When a young woman jumps from a window to her death, the coroner doesn’t hesitate to declare the death a suicide. This conclusion doesn’t fit into Muller’s findings and he vows to solve the case no matter how long it takes. When a certain murder is committed later, the Imperial Austrian Police call this detective in hoping he can solve the case. The case is unique in the fact that the victim is shot with a bullet of pure gold. The case is straightforward, the investigation is minimal and the outcome is astounding. This is the first work I’ve read by this author. I wouldn’t declare her work literary masterpieces but as a light read recommendable. I wouldn,t hesitate to read her other works.

[Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy short reading. This is the kind of stories I like. Not ambitious, easy and quick to read. The thing with these stories is that not always they leave you satisfied, good thing Groener wrote more Detective Miller stories.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic mystery, in line with J.S. Fletcher. I re-read classics when the newer novels get disappointing enough. :-! This is one series I prefer at such times. Recommended. Clearly narrated by Librivox.

[Yibbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a decent little mystery if you don’t mind the detective being puffed all out of proportion. The first six minutes of a 90-minute book were nothing but grand eulogy then repeatedly throughout the book we are reminded of just how superior he is.
I think it might be the first detective story I’ve read that was written by a German author for a German audience. That made for a few unique details to the setting and characters. I rather liked some of the side characters, and the hero isn’t as bad as the narrator’s puffing makes him seem at first. The plot also has more twists than I expected, though I bet you’ll see the main one coming almost from the beginning. But be prepared; it was a thoroughly tragic little story.

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent but tragic novella. Librivox narrator was exceptional.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a young professor is discovered shot to death in a room locked from the inside, the secret police call in Joseph Muller (I think that's the name), a brilliant detective with a somewhat fatal flaw; he often ends up feeling sorry for murderers and letting them go.

This is an old mystery, and the writing is appropriately expository and ponderous. The motive is simple, and the detection is adequate. What I think really won't translate well into modern times is Muller's sympathy for noble-minded murderers. It's not as though this murderer killed in self-defense or killed a serial killer or someone likewise evil; he killed his wife and her lover. I'm rather like Hercule Poirot; I don't approve of murder, and Muller's sympathy does not resonate with me, so this was not a success for me.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like "The Case of the Lamp That Went Out," also by Frau. Auguste Groner and Grace Isabel Colbron and also featuring detective Joseph Muller, "The Case of the Golden Bullet" is a brisk, enjoyable read. Both books bring a humanistic element to the police procedural, a format that sometimes lends itself to being cold and logical with little heart. But does our hero always feel such sympathy for his suspects? I guess I'll find out when I read the next Muller book I plan to read, "The Case of the Pocket Diary Found in the Snow." Stay tuned.

[Eva Müller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The real mystery here is why I can't find them anywhere in the original German, only English translations...

A typical late 19th century detective story, good puzzle and Muller is quite an interesting character (though I wish the other characters had spent less time talking about how awesome he is) but somehow the story didn't quite grab me. Though I will give another from this series a try somewhen.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Joseph Muller solves the mystery of a professor found dead in his locked study...