The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories

by Julian Hawthorne, Egerton Castle, Wilkie Collins

Overview

Enter the thrilling world of classic crime with "The Lock and Key Library, Classic Mystery and Detective Stories," a captivating anthology of short detective stories. This collection showcases the enduring appeal of meticulously crafted mysteries, offering a glimpse into the golden age of detective fiction.

Explore a diverse range of investigations and puzzling scenarios within these timeless tales. From intricate plots to clever deductions, each story embodies the spirit of the genre, perfect for enthusiasts of classic literature and crime fiction. Discover the origins of the detective story and its enduring popularity. This meticulously prepared print edition preserves the original text, allowing readers to experience these stories as they were first intended. Immerse yourself in the suspense and intrigue of these essential works of mystery and detection.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023037891
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Julian Hawthorne (1846–1934) was an American author, journalist, and editor, best known as the son of the renowned novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. Born in Boston and raised partly in Europe during his father's diplomatic posting in England, Julian inherited a literary sensibility shaped by both American Romanticism and the European tradition of moral and psychological inquiry.

Educated at Harvard and trained briefly as a civil engineer, Julian eventually turned to literature, producing a prolific body of work that included novels, short stories, essays, and biographies. His fiction often dealt with themes of crime, conscience, and the supernatural, echoing the gothic tones of his father’s writing but filtered through a more sensational, plot-driven lens. Despite some early critical success, he never achieved the lasting literary stature of his father.

As editor of The Lock and Key Library series, Julian Hawthorne brought together mystery and detective stories from both English and continental traditions. His role was not merely curatorial but interpretive: he aimed to frame these tales as culturally significant, deserving of both popular and scholarly attention. His introductions and selections reveal a deep interest in psychological nuance, moral ambiguity, and the mechanics of suspense.

However, Hawthorne’s later life was marred by scandal. In 1913, he was convicted of mail fraud related to a mining promotion scheme and served time in prison—an irony not lost on those familiar with his editorial focus on crime and justice. After his release, he continued to write and reflect on his experiences, producing memoirs and essays until his death.

Though his literary reputation has faded, Julian Hawthorne remains a figure of interest in American literary history—not only as a link to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s legacy, but as a writer and editor who sought to elevate genre fiction during a transformative era in Anglo-American letters. His work on The Lock and Key Library offers a valuable window into both the tastes and tensions of turn-of-the-century popular literature.