Professor Van Dusen, also known as the Great Thinking Machine, unravels puzzles that would stump a lesser man.

The “Problem of Cell 13” is rather famous as an ingenious locked room mystery. The Professor is challenged by two colleagues to escape from a real prison cell within a week.

The other eleven stories in the Great Thinking Machine are rather a mixed bag. Perhaps more of interest to a historian or doctoral candidate than a modern mystery reader. However, the “Problem of Cell 13” is alone worth the price of the book to locked room mystery fans. 3 stars.

Thanks to Dover Publications and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of the infallible detective? Do you like the problems that are as impossible to the ordinary mind as they are improbable?
I enjoyed the variety in this collection. Some were set in the heart of the city, in remote country houses, on the ocean, in college laboratories, and in jails. The atmospheres were wonderfully varied also. Some were spooky, others tragic, humorous, or chilling. Even the crimes themselves are varied. There is suicide, murder, theft, kidnapping, smuggling, and impersonation. Yet, through them all marches the irascible, the practical, the logical, the wonderful “Thinking Machine”.
Futrelle doesn’t let the reader in on the clues or the solution before the last possible moment, so you can sit back and enjoy being mystified along with the police and the sidekick. Some of the solutions were a complete surprise and wonderfully imaginative, but of course, they always trapped their man, except once or twice…
I had read a couple of the stories in other collections and wasn’t really impressed, but I truly enjoyed them in this collection. I think it was because I understood the characters better. The first story is “The Problem of Cell 13”, and it’s a perfect choice for introducing the “Thinking Machine’. It explains his strengths and approach to problems. It also introduces his sidekick, Hutchinson Hatch, the indefatigable reporter. Once I had that understanding, the other stories were very fun.
This book was perfectly clean. There was no cursing, swearing, or profanity. There was absolutely no sexual content.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Dover Publications. No favorable review was required. It was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.

This is a series of "locked room" and other seemingly impossible scenarios to be solved by the scientist hero known as The Thinking Machine. This genre of mysteries seems dated, but the puzzles are an old-school treat, even when the solutions are far-fetched. I had not read the famous first story and was glad to have the opportunity to catch up on this piece of detective fiction history.

An excellent introduction to an author I didn't know.
These stories aged well and are well written and well devised.
This is an interesting and engaging read especially if like a sedate pace and a good puzzle.
I will surely look for other books by this writer.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Dover Publications and Netgalley for this ARC

The excellent Introduction and the careful selection of stories make this volume a must for all who are interested in the history and development of crime fiction.

Futrelle is an acquired taste, and my admiration for these stories far outweighed my enjoyment of them. However, for those new to the author, this is an excellent starting point, and those already familiar with his creative genius will find much to savour.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the digital review copy.