The Cask, Freeman Wills Crofts
The Cask, Freeman Wills Crofts
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

The Cask

Author: Freeman Wills Crofts

Narrator: Gordon Griffin

Unabridged: 12 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/02/2019

Synopsis

From the Collins Crime Club archive, the seminal first novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed ‘The King of Detective Story Writers’ and recognised as one of the ‘big four’ Golden Age crime authors. The unloading of a consignment of French wine from the steamship Bullfinch is interrupted by a gruesome discovery in a broken cask leaking sawdust and gold sovereigns. But when the shipping clerk returns with the police, the cask and its macabre contents have gone. Following the clues to Paris, Inspector Burnley of Scotland Yard enlists the help of the genial French detective M. Lefarge to check motives and alibis in their hunt for evidence of a particularly fiendish murder. This Detective Story Club classic is introduced by Freeman Wills Crofts himself in a unique preface from 1946 about The Cask’s origins.

About Freeman Wills Crofts

The author, Freeman Wills Crofts (1879–1957), was ill for a prolonged period but spent time turning out his first novel in 1919. It caught on and he was soon recognized as a respected creator of detective fiction. That led to this book about Inspector French in 1924 and the Scotland Yard investigator became his favorite character. This was a big beginning for his literary work and he turned out a book practically every year over the next three decades.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mara

This style of golden age mystery that's so focused on puzzle mystery is not my favorite, but I really liked the tone and writing a lot. For 1921, it's extremely readable and fun, so I would definitely read more from this author......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth (Alaska)

This was Crofts debut. He had been recuperating for some time from an illness but was well enough to feel bored. For something to do he put pen to paper. Few of us would have such good results! A large shipment of wine in casks had arrived by ship in London. One cask was different than the others and......more

Goodreads review by Omar

My preference for Agatha Christie’s novels introduced me to yet another author belonging to the golden age of detective fiction ie Freeman Wills Crofts. The Cask, his first novel, is an intriguing ride filled to the brim with suspense that restrains the readers from shelving the book at all. His styl......more

Quotes

‘The soundest builder of them all.’ Raymond Chandler 'Deservedly a first favourite with all who want a real puzzle.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Probably unsurpassed in ingenuity.’ The Queen

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List