I own a hardcover copy of what I suppose would now be called "volume one" of "How Did They Die?" Its subtitle is "The last days, words, afflictions and resting places of over 300 notables throughout history." Since all of us will die, but few will ever be noted in a book like this, the book is surprisingly compelling. Each entry is short, and it is hard to stop reading once you begin. The Donaldsons did good work in putting this together. Those who want a copy in 2002 may have to settle for used, but it will be worth it. From John Adams to Brigham Young, this book has covered most of the best-known folks.

I read Vol. 2, and was VERY entertained. I couldn't put it down. This is the best missive on the circumstances surrounding the demise of famous personages I have ever read. I wish the Donaldsons would put out an updated book or even start a newsletter or magazine.

VERY INTERESTING, I WISH I COULD FIND COPIES OF VOLUME 2. I ALSO WISH THEY WOULD COME OUT WITH A NEW ISSUE. I HAVE READ A SIMILAR BOOK BY MALCOLM FORBES, IT WAS GOOD BUT NOT AS GOOD AS DONALDSON'S BOOK

I am the same Tom Cai who reviewed this book about 1 year ago, and feel it is necessary to review it again. I admit Dr. Freeman has written many successful detective stories, but they can not be credited to this particular one. This book holds a place in the history of detective stories, because it created Thorndyke, but as a detective story, it is definitely not a very good one. It borrows various parts of Holmes and then pieces them together with a slightly different character and slightly different narration, then the job is done.

Many people disagree with me, because the thumb mark is made in a way different from the Norwood builder's. But this is really a minor issue. Once the author decides the thumb mark is fake and actually conveys this idea to the readers, it is no good to spend much pain on how it is made. A detective story is not supposed to be a science story. The former emphasizes on DEDUCTION rather than profound science knowledge, because not every reader is a PhD or MD as Freeman. Even if someone is, he might well be in a different discipline. Doyle is in no way less educated than Freeman, but he always applies the most practical method with the least scientific knowledge in the conducting of a crime. This makes Doyle's story not only full of surprises (Watsons would say: ah, it's that simple), but also more read-able than Freeman's lecture. Even in the view of science story, people would question whether Polton's (Thorndyke's assistant) various patents are realistic.

Nevertheless, I can't deny it is helpful for Freeman's future career, which makes Thorndyke a distinct character rather than a mimic of Holmes. The only difference between Doyle and Freeman is that the former is a genius while the latter is just talented.

Edwardian London: a city of squalor, pea-soup fogs, and primitive detective work. Into this city, is introduced Dr John Thorndyke, a pathologist, who appears as an expert witness in court cases for both the defence and prosecution. He is also a detective who seeks to solve cases.

In this first Thorndyke story by R Austin Freeman (the first of many in the series), Thorndyke takes on a new assistant Dr. Jervis. Dr Jervis is the foil to Thorndyke, just as Dr Watson is to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Thorndyke also explores more than just the case, by having Jervis fall in love. Dr Jervis' love affair is an interesting diversion in how it reveals middle-class values at the turn of the century.

The basis of this story is interesting: can forensic science be wrong; can you fake fingerprints on evidence ? The book is not a 'who dun it' in the conventional sense. Most readers will identify the obvious villain early on. The challenge is to work out how the crime was done and then to prove that it was done that way. Of course, Thorndyke frees the innocent man in the end.

Thorndyke is a more scientific detective than Holmes and achieves surprising results, even within the primitive knowledge and techniques of his day.

The Red Thumb Mark is the novel that introduces to the world one of the greatest "scientific" detectives in all literature: Dr. John Thorndyke. It is rightly regarded as one of the all-time classics in mystery fiction. Raymond Chandler, for example, who typically hated British detective fiction for its consistent implausibilities, found Austin Freeman's work and The Red Thumb Mark highly entertaining and readable.

The novel concerns Thorndyke's attempts to clear the name of a young man accused of stealing diamonds from a safe. A thumb mark (finger print) near the scene of the crime is the only evidence against the young man, but it is decidedly damning. Add a little romance, a sinister villian lurking in the background, and you have the ingredients that make up this story.

I found the work to be wonderfully exciting. Watching Thorndyke break down the evidence against the young man is a fascinating expereince. Though a person could argue that too much detail is given to the "science" aspect, you have to understand that these scenes are the backbone of this type of detective story.

In a day and age of corporate villiany, brutal crime bosses and hideous serial killers, The Red Thumb Mark might seem to some readers as painfully old-fashioned. Freeman's writing is similar (and often compared with) Conan Doyle, and there's little doubt that Freeman found inspiration from the Holmes canon. However, the novel's old-fashioned flavor is the very reason to recommend it. It's fun to walk the streets of Edwardian England, to see the sights, to hear the gentlemanly discussions, to share the thought processes of one of the great detective minds. This is the real magic of the novel.

Sadly, most of Freeman's work has long, long been out of print. I would recommend hunting among the used book stores for his other great mysteries, especially The Silent Partner, The Eye of Osiris, and my all-time favorite Mr. Pottermack's Oversight. These great novels are as highly recommended as The Red Thumb Mark. Someday, I hope the world rediscovers this highly talented writer and that he is placed along side with the other great names where he belongs.