The story in one page
Professor Fordney navigates a string of robberies, murders, and kidnappings, acting as a mental check on criminals who believe they have planned the perfect crime. Each case is a brief narrative — a 'detectogram' — where Fordney spots the fatal discrepancy before revealing the solution. Whether it is a butler claiming to hear a scream while returning from the mail or a witness describing a getaway that contradicts the scene, these mysteries hinge on specific, physical contradictions. Fordney relies on his grasp of human behavior and professional habits, such as how railroad workers announce the time or the peculiar mechanics of a locked bath, to dismantle elaborate alibis in under two minutes.
Who's who
- Professor Fordney
The central investigator who solves crimes through logical deduction.
- Inspector Kelley
The official law enforcement officer who often receives Fordney's findings.
- Smith
A nervous man who reports a burglary of his uncle's bonds.
- Cannon
A homeowner suspected of collusion after a murder in his house.
What it's really about
- Logic
- Reasoning triumphs over circumstantial evidence.
- Habit
- Professional customs often betray a liar's identity.
Why it's memorable
- A man nonchalantly leaving a flooding bathroom because he simply turned off the main valve.
- A detective picking up a single dime to prove two men are lying.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The collection concludes with Fordney exposing a fake railroad man who uses common phrasing for time instead of the precise numerical format used by industry professionals. Other cases end with the discovery of carrier pigeons or the simple realization that a criminal forgot to remove his mask.
For your book club
- The shift from physical evidence to linguistic slips in early detective fiction.
- How professional identity was perceived as an unbreakable habit in 1930s society.