The Case of the Pool of Blood in the Pastor's Study

by Auguste Groner, Grace Isabel Colbron

Frau. Auguste Groner (1850-1929) co-authored Grace Isobel Colborn (1869-1948) in writing a series of detective stories. The main character in the series was detective Joe Miller. They also collaborated in writing The Lady in Blue in 1922. Other works by Groner are: The Man with the Black Cord (1911) and Mene Tekel (1912). They were subsequently translated from German into English by Colborn. "Joseph Muller, Secret Service detective of the Imperial Austrian police, is one of the great experts in his profession. In personality he differs greatly from other famous detectives. He has neither the impressive authority of Sherlock Holmes, nor the keen brilliancy of Monsieur Lecoq. Muller is a small, slight, plainlooking man, of indefinite age, and of much humbleness of mien. "

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

52 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

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

[Okuta Otherside · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read in ebook version and even though I can finish this book in one sitting, somehow I can't maintain my interest toward this book.
The story itself is have interesting case to crack, it's a murder, where the body victim is lost. We only find the pool of blood.
The writing is a bit confusing and I can't follow the flow. The explanation of the case is not really clear for me. Like the clues and who are the possible suspects, it's blur and suddenly there are new characters, become the suspects and story end.
A bit disappointed so it's 3 stars from me.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this one really does catch you. Its another detective Joseph Muller case but this time a pool of blood is found with no body. After the details of Muller's investigation the case gets a bit too predictable though, and some excitment vanishes...

[Irina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Я прочитала эту историю за 2 дня, поскольку она читается легко даже на английском. В общем то, довольно захватывающая аннотация и настолько же не захватывающий текст. В смысле, история не успевает сюжетно закрутиться как ей уже приходит конец. У меня ощущение, что детектив даже не напрягался в поисках преступника. Точнее автор написал весьма короткую историю, в которой главным героям было достаточно легко отыскать убийцу. Обычно детективные истории несколько длиннее. :)

[Bud Russell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The work of the detective was interesting. The last section that reveals the culprit was tedious if not tiresome. (Yawn.)

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic style mystery. ©1911
Free audio version at Librivox
(Reader: Dawn Larson). Free text version at Gutenberg.
Re-readable.

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.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief mystery perhaps most interesting for its pre-WWI rural Austrian setting and its simple detective, Joseph Muller. The mystery is not great, but it does have brevity going for it.