The Problem of the Missing Miss

Charles Dodgson & Arthur Conan Doyle #1

by Roberta Rogow

The Rev. Charles Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll) becomes a proto-Holmes to the Dr. Watson of young Arthur Conan Doyle. This suspenseful mystery treats the reader to a fascinating picture of the British seaside resort of Brighton & its history & daily rhythms c. 1885. Lord Marbury, a stalwart M.P., sends his young daughter Alicia to Brighton to spend her vacation with his old professor, the Rev. Charles Dodgson. But when Dodgson arrives at the train station to meet his charge, she is nowhere to be seen. It quickly becomes clear that Alicia has been kidnapped by her father's political enemies. A chance meeting with a young doctor visiting Brighton on his honeymoon, one Arthur Conan Doyle, leads the two to work together to find Alicia.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction

261 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Roberta Rogow is the author of the four "Dodgson/Doyle" mysteries. She is currently working on a new series set in Gilded Age New York City. She also reviews juvenile mysteries for Mystery Scene Magazine, and is a writer and performer of Science Fiction "filk" songs. She recently retired from a 37-year career as a Children's Librarian in New Jersey public libraries. "

Reviews

[Kent Archie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only finished this book to see how silly the characters would behave. Reading books set in Victorian times is like reading about a civilization on another planet. At one point, the abductee has a clear chance to escape but doesn't because it would mean going outside in her underwear.
The adults (including the parents) go on about the poor missing child but frequently stop looking so they can have tea, eat dinner, attend some social function, change clothes and so on.
Dodgson appears useless in the beginning and near the end suddenly becomes competent.
I won't be reading other books in the series.

[Jan Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

GoodRx for social distancing

Being stuck at home and needing something to not only entertain but keep my mind busy this story filled my need. Lewis Carol and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as crime solvers? A young girl kidnapped by evil doers? It didn’t happen but it could have. From beginning to end a ride that enthralled and keeps you guessing. Giving it a read and you won’t regret it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took awhile to warm up to this book. It's written with a lot of detail, I assume due to it's setting in late 19th century Britain. Similar to the writing of Dickens. I have read all Dickens' novels, and loved them. But it's definitely a change of pace from contemporary style.
But, once I got further into the story I found it engaging, and smart.
I like the combination of a young Conan Doyle, and Lewis Carroll, solving a crime.

[Barbara Mcmichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literate and well

The book takes the readerback in time to Brighton Beach and an entertaining mystery bringing together Conan Doyle and Lewis Carroll. Alicia is a charming character. I hope today's readers discover it here on Kindle

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept of having these two authors cross paths and work with each other. A little winded at times and a ton of editing errors (punctuation, inconsistent name changes, etc) but an interesting book.

[Robin H-R Holmes Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dr. Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) are united in this series debut to investigate the kidnapping of an MP's daughter. All I can say is "Excellent"! People and places are so well-defined, you feel as if you are observing the story from above. The writing is excellent; the history is well-researched. An excellent plot keeps you engaged. Highly recommend!

[Kitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popsugar 2020: A book that passes the Bechdel test.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I'd known I would be finished with the book in the next 7%, I'd have waited to do the update! The last 12% is first few chapters of the next book. Besides that, I like the book, and will probably read more of the series one day. The story revolves around a real event which always helps for me! I wasn't too fond of Dodgson at first, and I hope that Doyle is better defined in the next book, but it was a good read.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad mystery. An interesting combination of Lewis Carroll and Arthur Conan Doyle as the two put their heads together to solve a disappearance of a politician's daughter. The missing miss herself is probably the most enjoyable character in the book as she proves to be mroe than a handful for her captors.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up an ARC copy of this book cheap at a library sale. I like books set in the Victorian era and I like history mysteries but I was somewhat worried about the author using Charles Dodgson and Arthur Conan Doyle together as characters. As it turned out, it wasn't as bad as some of the other mysteries of that kind that I've read and better than most.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Lutwidge Dodgson team up for detecting antics…. Well, it's not bad, really, but not half so clever as it thinks it is. These publishers are beginning to resemble tv producers - if something works, do it again and again until everyone's eyes glaze over….sigh. I did like the little insight into the history of Brighton.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining

[Rmschow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and hated it! I still have disgusting and disturbing mental pictures because of it. Truly a horrible book without any real value in the story - in my oinion.