The Master of Mysteries

by Gelett Burgess

"From the inspired mystic to the man of practical analytic mind, the transition was instantaneous..."

Astro, the Seer of Secrets, and his lovely assistant, Valeska, sound more like a magic act than a private detection team. Astro, in fact, hides his powers of observation and reasoning beneath a turban and a cape, pretending to read palms and consult crystals while in fact keenly observing details that most people-police included-miss. Valeska, his beautiful blond protege, assists Astro with his investigations, all the while honing her own skills. Called upon by believers and skeptics both, they adeptly recover what is missing-a rare Shakespeare folio, a missing husband, a kidnapped child-while also solving actual murders. But it is their burgeoning romance, and their mutual zeal to work pro bono where matters of the heart are at stake, that set this crime-solving duo apart.

• ISBN10: 1728264014
• ISBN13: 9781728264011
• Publish Date: 3 February 2023 (first published 9 September 2010)
• Publish Status: Transferred
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Poisoned Pen Press
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Master of Mysteries is a mystery featuring a magician with incredible cold reading and observational skills written by Gelett Burgess. Originally released in 1912, this reformat and re-release as part of the Library of Congress Crime Classics series from publisher Poisoned Pen Press is 496 pages in this edition and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The original release of this book has the distinction of being the very first book published on Richard Lupoff's Surinam Turtle imprint, back in 1912 without an author credit. Additionally, the clever (if dated) volume included three ciphers for real life sleuths to solve, one of which was the name of the author. Burgess will be better known to most readers as the author of the children's "Goops" books and also has the dubious distinction of writing the "Purple Cow" poem, to the perennial delight of youngsters for more than a century: "I never saw a purple cow. I never hope to see one; But I can tell you, anyhow, I'd rather see than be one!".

Nevertheless, this is a collection of cases solved by main character Astro, the seer of secrets (and master of mysteries). There's a distinct Sherlock Holmes vibe to the way he notices details, seemingly pulls the solution to the mystery out of thin air, and then has to explain his process to his assistant, the lovely Valeska Wynne. 

The 24 short stories are more or less written to the same formula: a mystery, the drama, resolution with a seemingly impossible solution, and an explanation to Valeska pointing out the obscure details noted by Astro which synthesized into the correct answer. Although not derivative, it reminded me in some ways of a period version of "Psych", a TV series with a similar methodology. 

The author gets kudos for apparently being a very intelligent and humorous individual despite being born in Boston and raised as a Boston Elite. He soon ran away to California, getting a job as a professor at Berkeley and knocking over the Cogswell temperance statue. According to Wikipedia, we also have him to thank for coining the word "blurb". 

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for fans of period mystery. The entire LoC Crime Classics series are worthwhile and this is a good addition. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.