The Poisoned Pen

"The Poisoned Pen" by Arthur B. Reeve is a detective novel likely written during the early 20th century. The narrative follows the astute detective Craig Kennedy and his companion Walter Jameson as they investigate a high-profile poisoning case involving a talented actress, Vera Lytton, and a young doctor, Dr. Dixon, who is entangled in the mystery. The story incorporates elements of intrigue, forensic investigation, and a critique of sensationalist press narratives. At the start of the novel, Kennedy receives an urgent call regarding the disturbing Danbridge poisoning case. Accompanied by Walter, he rushes to pack for a train journey to the quaint town of Danbridge, where the actress Lytton has been found dead under suspicious circumstances. As they travel, they discuss the details of the case, which hinges on a perplexing note from Dr. Dixon that makes him a suspect. Upon arrival, Kennedy meets with local authorities and witnesses to piece together the events leading to the poisoning, encountering whispers of jealousy, scandal, and hidden motives connected to the various characters involved, such as Vera Lytton's ex-husband and her close friends. This gripping opening sets the stage for an intricate detective story filled with twists and turns. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Arthur Benjamin Reeve was an American mystery writer. He is known best 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, for 18 detective novels. Reeve is famous mostly for 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 published grouped together as episodic novels. The 12-volume publication Craig Kennedy Stories was released during 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set.