Gold of the Gods: 9

Craig Kennedy, Scientific Detective #8

by Arthur B. Reeve

Professor Craig Kennedy is a scientist detective at Columbia University. He uses his knowledge of chemistry and psychoanalysis to solve cases, and uses exotic devices in his work such as lie detectors, gyroscopes, and portable seismographs. "Gold of the Gods" – A Professor of Archeology from the University asks detective Kennedy's assistance in order to find a thief who stole an ancient Inca dagger from the artifacts found in a recent dig. While the two are still in conference, a word comes out that a wealthy Peruvian has been killed, and the Inca dagger has been used as a weapon.

Genres: Mystery

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Arthur Benjamin Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936) was an American mystery writer. He is best known for creating the series character Professor Craig Kennedy, sometimes called "The American Sherlock Holmes", and Kennedy's Dr. Watson-like sidekick Walter Jameson, a newspaper reporter, in 18 detective novels. The bulk of Reeve's fame is based on the 82 Craig Kennedy stories, published in Cosmopolitan magazine between 1910 and 1918. These were collected in book form; with the third collection, the short stories were stitched together into pseudo-novels. The 12-volume Craig Kennedy Stories were released in 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set.

Reviews

[Mh430 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a terrible book but it was a bit of a chore to finish it

I believe this is the eighth Craig Kennedy book I've read now. It's not a great series and Kennedy himself somehow manages to be both bland and pedantic. No, the appeal, if that isn't too strong a word, of this series for me is reading about what was cutting edge technology in the early years of the Twentieth Century - even if some of the science presented appears a bit dubious today. (Note to self: check to see if x-ray equipment in 1915 could allow you read a letter inside a sealed envelope.)

So why IMO was this the weakest Craig Kennedy entry thus far? I think because this one is a novel while the previous books I've read have been collections of short stories and the cast of supporting characters (i. e. suspects) here wasn't very interesting. Still, I won't give up on the series because well, science like I said, and since the progression of publishing dates make me think America's entry into the First World War is coming and Professor Kennedy's potential role in that conflict intrigues me.

2.5 stars

[jean mcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interest

Tho lots of twist and turns this book did not hold my interest for some reason , just not my fave.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story with great gadgets.