The Magic Casket by R. Austin Freeman

R. Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the medico-legal forensic investigator Dr. Thorndyke. Born in London, Freeman studied medicine and became a physician, serving as a colonial surgeon in West Africa. However, ill health forced him to return to England, where he eventually abandoned his medical practice. Freeman held conservative political views and supported the eugenics movement, expressing these views in his non-fiction book "Social Decay and Regeneration" (1921).
Freeman began his literary career in the early 1900s, collaborating with John James Pitcairn on the "Romney Pringle" stories under the pseudonyms "Clifford Ashdown" and "Ralph J. Jay." His first solo novel, "The Golden Pool" (1905), drew from his experiences in West Africa. Freeman's most famous creation, Dr. Thorndyke, first appeared in the novel "The Red Thumb Mark" (1907). Freeman continued to write Thorndyke novels and short stories throughout his career, with his last novel, "Mr. Polton Explains," published in 1940.
One of Freeman's most significant contributions to detective fiction was the invention of the inverted detective story format, which he first employed in his 1910 short story "The Case of Oscar Brodski." In this format, the crime and the criminal are revealed to the reader at the beginning of the story, and the focus is on the detective's process of solving the mystery. This innovative approach shifted the reader's interest from "Who did it?" to "How was the discovery achieved?" Freeman's inverted detective stories, including "A Silent Witness" (1914) and "The Singing Bone" (1912), inspired later works in this subgenre, such as the "Columbo" television series.
In his early writings, Freeman expressed anti-Semitic views and racial stereotypes that were, unfortunately, common during his time. His novel "Helen Vardon's Confession" (1922) and his non-fiction book "Social Decay and Regeneration" (1921) contain offensive stereotypes and diatribes against Jewish people. However, Freeman's views seem to have evolved over time, possibly influenced by the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany. In his later works, such as "When Rogues Fall Out" (1932) and "Mr. Polton Explains" (1940), Jewish characters are portrayed more sympathetically and positively, suggesting a shift in Freeman's attitudes.

[@debra333]

I'm always happy when I have a Tony offering in the chamber. Thank you!! ❤

[@classicdetective]

Any time!

[@Aiko2-26-9]

I have seen an example of the "magic" mirror described in this story. They are fascinating. Christianity was banned in Japan for 300 years. During that time there were still remnants of believers who practiced in hiding. I saw an interesting example of a mirror which showed a crucifix when light hit it at a specific angle as well a number of statues of Buddha which had a panel which slid to the side to reveal a madonna and child.

[@classicdetective]

that is really interesting. That fact will probably pop up in one of my commentaries. Thank you

[@Aiko2-26-9]

@@classicdetective This is an interesting explanation. It doesn't mention mirrors but you can see similar "hidden" items. th-cam.com/video/Td0Mw5hccs8/w-d-xo.html

[@franken-pattern]

I'm always down for a new episode from the wonderful Mr. Walker! Thank you and Happy Weekend 🎉🎉🎉

[@reneegriffin8904]

Ok. The afterwards, where you discuss the work, is my favorite part. My job is preserve and document local history. I am in the southeastern U.S and as you might imagine, it can be pretty horrific. Literature of a time gives context and validity to how widespread various forms of prejudice really were. They give an insight into what was considered normal and what wasn't. The flaw of this modern puritanical inquisition of *were they a good person or a bad person* frames the whole argument from the standpoint that we ARE better than them. This robs those who do this of true self reflection and personal growth in recognizing the biases within us all.
*forgive, I'm a late life college student and I think I'm practicing my paragraphing skills..😂*

[@classicdetective]

This chimes very much with that I think. Currently there is so much emphasis on the simplistic dichotomy of the good guys and the bad guys . Cowboys with black hats and cowboys with white hats

[@carltaylor6452]

'The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.' The current tendency for black and white, moral thinking - to impose our own 'righteousness' on the past - is extremely arrogant and short-sighted. It's also infantilising to think that adults - of any race or background - are incapable of understanding that the past was different and that people then viewed the world in a different way: it would be absurd to think that they did not. Besides which, if we condemn and, even worse, censor and redact then future generations can learn nothing from history. In an entirely separate field, that of health care, we have a current example - exposed in the Cass report - of professionals doing bad things in the misguided belief that they were helping vulnerable people. How many of the attitudes held today, and the practices, will survive unscathed from the judgement of future generations? A lot of what passes today for, and is excused by appeals to, 'social justice' will no doubt be looked back on with a mixture of bemusement and horror. Those who think they have discovered the sole road to Utopia are invariably 'good' people about to do bad things.

[@carltaylor6452]

@@classicdetective BTW, I'm still haunted by the W Stanley Moss story you read on your other channel. Please do consider posting a reading of Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' (or of any Conrad). I appreciate he's not a neat fit for either the ghost or the detective story genre, but there's something about Conrad that is undoubtedly haunting, and which your narrating style would suit very well.

[@classicdetective]

@@carltaylor6452 I'd really like to do The Heart of Darkness. It's a very good idea.

[@MaggieatPlay]

Truly, a delightful story; well narrated. Thank you, Tony.

[@michaelgreaves2375]

This looks like a good one. Your narration has suckered me in to listening to the whole thing immediately... Again!

[@lunablue745]

Tony, I just wanted to add that I appreciate your sensitivity when it comes to moral ambiguity with regard to the art vs. the artist. As you were reading the story the word "Oriental" used to describe a Japanese person hit me the wrong way. This is why I was so grateful for your words after the story. I recall a book I read as an undergraduate called The Sunflower by Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal. The book explores Wiesenthal's experience of being asked for forgiveness by a dying Nazi. It is well worth the read. I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Moving from monstrous to simply bad is an improvement and we should encourage that progress. My thoughts, anyway.

[@classicdetective]

Fair point

[@helenswan705]

Deep thoughts and unanswerable questions. We learn as we get older, if we are lucky, that few things are black and white, and it helps us to be more tolerant. And aaah Primo Levi. An absolute star.

[@ajcbng8289]

I knew it all the time! 😂😂 I'm glad I hadn't read this one before. Your soothing voice lulled me to sleep last time I listened, so I had to circle back. Glad I did. 👏

[@Story-Voracious66]

I just love the way you make house rhyme with mice and ground rhyme with rind.
😆👏👍

[@classicdetective]

I’ve know people who talked like that

[@AlanPT9]

Excellent story, very well told by you. Thankyou.

[@classicdetective]

thank you

[@martiwilliams4592]

Admittedly, out of Principle, I almost decided to skip this tale--first time for everything--but your masterful, as always, reeled me in. So, thank you, Tony. From one who boycotts Wagner. Heartfelt Thank you!!!!

[@lindamoser6317]

Loved the story!!! Your narration was perfect and made the story so much more vivid. U mentioned the author much like Sir Conan Doyles style and I agree. Since I found u I have really enjoyed many of your audios. ❤

[@classicdetective]

More to come. thanks for listening 👂

[@adriennewalker1715]

Great story! Really enjoyed it as usual

[@classicdetective]

Glad to hear it!

[@evelanpatton]

Thanks!

[@classicdetective]

Thak you Evelan !

[@REFaust]

Great to hear this, a really good reading. I'm a huge fan of Dr Thorndyke and am lucky enough to own J J Pitcairns own copy of the super rare 'Adventures Of Romney Pringle' 1st edition. BTW Polton is Thorndyke's Laboratory Assistant, not his butler, and Jervis is pronounced 'Jarvis' as it's derived from the French Jarvois.
Would be great to hear one of the inverted tales next..

[@classicdetective]

thanks for that about Jervis as Jarvois. i like to learn things like that

[@thurayya8905]

Any controversy about the author aside, I enjoyed this story.

[@classicdetective]

Thank you

[@lunablue745]

As an American, I can proudly claim a massive preference of British crime stories to that of the Yankee hard boiled.🥚💛

[@mariameere5807]

Loved it! Perfect for a lazy Sunday. Thank you so much ❤

[@feralbluee]

very good reading, interesting story. your logical yet emotional thoughts on psychology, writing, forgiveness, etc. thanks so much. :) 🌷🌱

[@classicdetective]

thank you for commenting. I appreciate that you took the time.

[@CosmikRogered]

Thanks for the upload, thoroughly enjoyed that.
Have a like and a subscription, I even watched the ads, hope that helps the algorithme

[@classicdetective]

It really does . Thank you 🙏

[@ropeburnsrussell]

As always a fabulous reading.
Im sorry to say however, that i found the story tedious and overlong. This may be the first time i have ever been disappointed and perhaps i should have kept quiet.

[@classicdetective]

I’m chuckling

[@ropeburnsrussell]

@@classicdetective thankyou for not taking offence.
I think you know I'm a big fan.

[@mgentles3]

Yes, life was broader before we put each other under the microscope. We could appreciate all artistic output we chose without crawling about in the mind of the artist. I've read some Freeman, though I find him too technical for my taste. If you hadn't told me, I'd never have known of his views. As it is, his views have no effect on my life. I never felt proselytized by the works of his I read. As one of Jewish heritage I'm not offended by other British authors who wrote in a time when Jews were useful to the elite, but hated for the very traits that made them useful, or just for the fact of their Judaism. I'm much more sensitive to the current continuous onslaught of 'right think' in today's world. Whatever way we turn, we ARE proselytized by one side or another. All are welcome to present their views. None are welcome to insist I share them.

[@adriennewalker1715]

I abhor antisemitism… but I listen to Wagner’s music.

[@classicdetective]

i’m sure we will have further discussions about morality and art and artists!

[@emcarver8983]

Narration is too slow.

[@thurayya8905]

Any faster and it would sound like he was on speed or helium.

[@emcarver8983]

@@thurayya8905 😆 actually. I realise now that it was the person introducing it that was too slow.

[@thurayya8905]

Oh, good! I was thinking Tony already reads aloud about three or four times faster than I can.

[@emcarver8983]

@@thurayya8905 😉

[@classicdetective]

indeed the criticism of me is usually that I read too fast. I’ve just done an Agatha Christie and I was deliberately trying to read very slowly.

[@feralbluee]

Thanks!

[@classicdetective]

Thank you very much :)