As a Thief in the Night

by R. Austin Freeman

Overview

"As a Thief in the Night" is a detective novel by R. Austin Freeman, first published in 1928. The story revolves around the mysterious death of Harold Monkhouse, a chronic invalid who succumbs to arsenic poisoning. The narrative is presented through the eyes of Rupert Mayfield, a barrister and close family friend, who becomes entangled in the ensuing investigation. Mayfield seeks the expertise of Dr. John Thorndyke, a renowned medico-legal forensic investigator, to unravel the complexities surrounding Monkhouse's demise. As Thorndyke delves into the case, he encounters a web of relationships and potential motives among the household members, including Barbara Monkhouse, the victim's wife; Anthony Wallingford, the secretary with a volatile temperament; and Madeline Norris, a family friend with close ties to the household. The investigation is marked by meticulous scientific analysis, characteristic of Thorndyke's methods, leading to a resolution that hinges on forensic evidence and logical deduction.​

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184498638
Publisher:	Anthony Bly
Publication date:	04/06/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	616 KB

About the Author

Richard Austin Freeman (1862–1943) was an English physician and author, best known for creating the fictional detective Dr. John Thorndyke. Born in Soho, London, Freeman pursued medical studies at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, qualifying as a physician in 1886. His early career included a stint as a medical officer in the British colonial service in West Africa, experiences that later informed some of his literary works.?

Freeman's literary career began in collaboration with John James Pitcairn under the pseudonym "Clifford Ashdown," producing the Romney Pringle series. He later achieved prominence with his solo creation, Dr. Thorndyke, a medico-legal forensic investigator who first appeared in "The Red Thumb Mark" (1907). Freeman is credited with pioneering the inverted detective story format, where the crime's commission is revealed at the outset, and the narrative focuses on the detective's process of solving it. This innovative approach has been recognized as a significant contribution to the detective fiction genre.?

Throughout his career, Freeman authored numerous novels and short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, characterized by detailed scientific and medical knowledge. His works often incorporated elements from his medical background, lending authenticity to the forensic aspects of his stories. Freeman continued writing until his death in Gravesend, Kent, in 1943.?

Editorial Reviews

A contemporary review from the Daily Telegraph in 1928 praised "As a Thief in the Night," noting: "One of Freeman's three or four best, although not one of his best-known books. The crime is modelled on the Maybrick case: murder of a chronic invalid by arsenic poisoning suspected by his brother, with suspicion falling on his wife. Narrated by Rupert Mayfield... Characterisation superior to other Freemans... Science, as usual, fascinating, especially the midnight exhumation and autopsy.

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