Constance Dunlap

Craig Kennedy, Scientific Detective #12

by Arthur B. Reeve

There was something of the look of the hunted animal brought to bay at last in Carlton Dunlap's face as he let himself into his apartment late one night toward the close of the year. On his breath was the lingering odor of whisky, yet in his eye and hand none of the effects. He entered quietly, although there was no apparent reason for such excessive caution. Then he locked the door with the utmost care, although there was no apparent reason for caution about that, either. Even when he had thus barricaded himself, he paused to listen with all the elemental fear of the cave man who dreaded the footsteps of his pursuers. In the dim light of the studio apartment he looked anxiously for the figure of his wife. Constance was not there, as she had been on other nights, uneasily awaiting his return. What was the matter? His hand shook a trifle now as he turned the knob of the bedroom door and pushed it softly open.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Short Stories, Crime, Classics

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

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

[Julie Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about a clever woman who turns forger to help her husband. This is told as a series of short stories and after the first few Constance is not an anti-hero any more. She uses her skills and interest in new-fangled inventions like fingerprints, blood pressure machines, and audio recorders to help those who have inadvertently wound up on the wrong side of the law. Although the stories are short, each case is interesting and I was drawn into them eagerly to see what Constance would discover. I especially enjoyed seeing her outsmart the corrupt hired detective Drummond with whom she crosses paths repeatedly.

[Ellen Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book. It tells about Constance, a pretty, smart, and very resourceful woman. She is sort of like a detective, but she actually helps people who are not "bad" but happen to get on the wrong side of the law.

I like the way this book is written; instead of one big story, there are many little incidents that Constance gets tangled in and it's up to her to unravel the skeins with her deft hands and quick mind.

Although the characters lack depth, you come to root for some of them, especially Constance (and some of the men). By the way, the ending is lovely but sooo short.

[Lori Killion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories showing a normal housewife who turns into a criminal for her husband, stays criminal for a while longer because she's turned bitter, and then starts to help people she feels deserves it. I kept listening & didn't want it to end. The only negative was that the same detective kept showing up in each story. He wasn't always looking for Constance either. This wouldn't happen even twice in NYC during these types of situations. Still, it's worth 5 stars to me despite this.

[Whistler's Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

One of the entries in Otto Penzler's "Big Book of Female Detectives" is the first chapter of this book. It's a puzzling story about a young man who embezzled money from his employers. The cost of living in New York City is high and Carlton Dunlap got into debt spending money he couldn't afford to pamper his beloved wife Constance.

When his crime is discovered, he's ready to turn himself in, but Constance is made of sterner stuff. Using her art skills, she forges checks to allow her husband to pay back his defalcations. When the authorities are closing in on them for forgery, they find hiding places on opposite ends of the continent and wait for the heat to die down. Carlton can't take the pressure and kills himself. What does his wife do now?

It's a cliff-hanger and I wanted to find out what happened, so I got this book of ten stories. I read several of them before I realized that Constance Dunlap's actions reflect her belief that not every crime should be punished. Most who break the law aren't hardened criminals, but (like Carlton Dunlap) weak people who gave in to temptation.

A normally faithful husband loses his head over a pretty dancer, leaving himself open to blackmail. A wife is enamoured of a smooth con man and gives him money to "invest" for her. A young girl shoplifts pretty things she craves but can't afford. A poorly-paid employee steals money from his ungrateful bossess and invests it for his own profit. Most of us have weak moments when we do things we normally wouldn't. Doesn't it make sense to give people a second chance?

The book description claims that the widowed Constance becomes a master thief. That's hogwash, although not everything she does is strictly speaking legal. And sometimes she makes a nice profit on a deal. Still, she's saintly compared to her enemy Mr Drummond, the sleeziest detective in the history of fiction. Drummond is supposed to be up-holding law and order, but really he's lining his own pockets and he doesn't care how many lives he ruins in the process.

Constance is an unusual woman for 1912. She's intelligent, cool-headed, logical, daring, and loves using the latest scientific gadgets. Her creator calls her "a man's woman" and the men she meets are as impressed with her steel-trap mind as with her good looks.

These stories follow Constance as she saves a number of people who've stepped out of line, but who are (in her opinion) worthy of her help. She's a wily adversary and the cynical Drummond has to get used to being outwitted by her. He doesn't like it, but there it is.

Arthur B Reeve is primarily known for his books and stories featuring Craig Kennedy, the "Scientific Detective." I haven't read any of those, but I'll bet Mr Kennedy isn't a patch on our Constance. If you like old mysteries, you'll enjoy this unique character.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially a collection of consequential (very) short stories. These are quite entertaining at first but don't really work as a full length book as they are rather formulaic. Much better to read the odd one now and again. The stories have been well reviewed here by others but what I do really like is the fact that Reeve has done what a lot of crime writers strive to do: created a different type of central character. Constance is a bit like a female version of Colonel Clay ( see The African Millionaire by Grant Allen ) except that she turns the tale on the con artists. I like her very much but would have liked a whole novel her even more.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel in short stories, meaning each chapter is episodic but only the first and last are at all related to each other. Constance is one of the early "bad girl" detectives, meaning she operates on the shady side of the law, and the book is surprisingly modern in some of its cases - "The Dope Fiends" offers a sympathetic view of cocaine addicts while still condemning the dealers and "The Clairvoyants" discusses the repression of female sexual pleasure as a bad thing - in 1913. Mystery historians should definitely check this out.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaingin mystery listening

I listened to this as part of the Victorian Rogues Megapack. It was very entertaining with interesting characters and story licne.

I would recommend this novella to readers of mysteies. 2023

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely plotted (each chapter a different tale), intriguing heroine. Mystery/romance. Well read (with good inflections).

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most enjoyable and hokey mystery anthology. Each tale is a bit more peculiar than the last. I have to say that for pure entertainment, this is a very worthwhile read.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked The Forgers and The Clairvoyants

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun story of crime and saving people

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 12 chapters in this novel are essentially short stories held together by the title character.

Constance becomes an amateur criminal in Chapter 1 by forging cheques. At length she has to leave town for a while. In subsequent chapters she finds herself helping people who are good at heart - like herself - yet have become amateur criminals. Constance makes it her mission to help these people get back on the right track, even though at times she is forced to break the law to do so.

Each chapter features new characters, with only Constance and the crooked detective Drummond appearing in each one. Constance and Drummond unintentionally keep crossing paths. Constance has to use her sharp intelligence to keep ahead of him. She remembers everything she reads and uses her knowledge to her advantage.

The story is set around the time of its 1914 publication and it is at a time when new inventions and police procedure are coming into force. Fingerprints, for example, are just becoming a tool for tracing criminals.

Some chapters I enjoyed, others I thought were okay, and a couple I wasn't keen on. The character of Constance kept me interested.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read.