A Clue for Mr Fortune

H. C. Bailey

• Publisher: Rare Treasure Editions
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9798905994715
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

The collection here consists of six interconnected novellas (roughly 40 to 50 pages each) that showcase Reggie's distinct forensic skills and psychological acuity: "The Dead Leaves" – Explores dark themes regarding an academic who learns from his professor to marry strictly for money. "The Hole in the Parchment" – Follows Reggie and his wife, Joan, during a vacation in Florence, Italy, where they become entangled in a complex case of theft and forgery. "The Holy Well" – A atmospheric and first-rate classic detective puzzle centered around an intricate baby-exchanging scheme in rural Cornwall. "The Swimming Pool" – A complex mystery demonstrating Reggie's keen observation skills. "The Torn Stocking" – A gritty story looking at the consequences of family dysfunction following the suspicious death of a teenage girl accused of shoplifting. "The Wistful Goddess" – A clever case that tests Reggie's unorthodox style of deduction. Unlike many traditional detectives of the Golden Age, Reggie Fortune is a surgeon and physician whose primary tools are forensic medicine and scientific analysis. He is famous for his cherubic appearance, childish mannerisms, a distinctively elliptical way of speaking, and a sharp, ruthless streak when pursuing true justice. While the stories carry the light, high-society charm reminiscent of Lord Peter Wimsey, Bailey's works are notably darker—frequently tackling intense societal themes such as domestic abuse, greed, and institutional corruption.

Table of contents

• THE TORN STOCKING
• THE SWIMMING – POOL
• THE HOLE IN THE PARCHMENT
• THE HOLY WELL
• THE WISTFUL GODDESS
• THE DEAD LEAVES