by Colin Heston (Author), Alexandre Dumas (Author)

Against All Odds: The Black Tulip is a timeless historical novel by Alexandre Dumas that blends romance, suspense, and moral courage into a quietly powerful tale of perseverance in the face of injustice.

Set in the Dutch Republic during the political chaos of 1672, the story unfolds as fear and intrigue tear a nation apart. While violence and ambition dominate public life, Cornelius van Baerle pursues a far more fragile dream: to cultivate the world’s first perfect black tulip. His devotion to this ideal—symbolizing beauty, patience, and order—sets him apart in a society consumed by suspicion.

Betrayed by jealousy and falsely accused of treason, Cornelius is cast into prison, where his future appears lost. Yet even behind stone walls, hope survives. With the help of Rosa, the jailer’s daughter, he continues his delicate work in secrecy, risking everything to protect his dream. As rivalry intensifies and danger closes in, the black tulip becomes more than a prize—it becomes a testament to integrity, love, and resilience against overwhelming odds.

Edited and introduced by Colin Heston, this paperback edition places Dumas’s novel in its historical and literary context, illuminating its enduring relevance and emotional depth. Elegant, moving, and rich with meaning, Against All Odds: The Black Tulip is a compelling story of quiet heroism—proof that even in the darkest times, hope can still bloom.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 261p.

by Colin Heston (Author), Alexandre Dumas (Author)

In this gripping and unsettling volume, Alexandre Dumas—best known for his sweeping historical adventures—turns his formidable narrative power to one of the darkest chapters of European history. Massacres of the South: “Not THE USA”, introduced by Colin Heston, brings together Dumas’s haunting account of religious violence in southern France, where centuries of conflict between Catholics and Protestants erupted into cycles of vengeance, terror, and mass killing.

Originally part of Dumas’s Celebrated Crimes, this work reconstructs a landscape in which ideology hardened into hatred and neighbors became enemies. From the early convulsions of the Reformation through later uprisings and reprisals, Dumas reveals how massacre became not an aberration but a recurring instrument of power—sanctioned, remembered, and repeated. His narrative is both historical and psychological, exposing the mechanisms by which fear, belief, and authority combine to justify the unthinkable.

Colin Heston’s new introduction reframes these events for modern readers with a provocative comparative lens. By drawing parallels between the religious massacres of southern France and the racial and political violence of the American South in the nineteenth century, Heston challenges readers to reconsider the universality of collective violence. The subtitle—“Not THE USA”—is both ironic and incisive, underscoring how easily the patterns Dumas describes reappear across different societies, identities, and eras.

This edition restores a powerful and often overlooked work to contemporary attention, presenting it as more than a historical curiosity. It is a study in the anatomy of atrocity—how divisions become absolutes, how institutions fail, and how ordinary people are drawn into extraordinary cruelty. For readers interested in history, criminology, political conflict, or the enduring question of why societies turn against themselves, this volume offers a compelling and deeply relevant exploration.

Disturbing, illuminating, and unflinching, Massacres of the South stands as a reminder that the past is never as distant as it seems—and that the forces shaping it remain with us still.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 211p.

By Alexandre Dumas. Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman

Amazon KDP Book Description

Enter the most perilous phase of the French Revolution in Book Five of The Romance of Revolution, featuring Alexandre Dumas’s gripping novel, The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge. In this powerful continuation of his sweeping historical saga, Dumas shifts from the explosive birth of revolution to its darkest and most personal consequences.

Paris is no longer a city of hope, but of suspicion, fear, and relentless political upheaval. The monarchy has fallen, and Marie Antoinette, once Queen of France, now languishes in captivity, awaiting an uncertain fate. Amid this storm of violence and shifting loyalties, a daring royalist plot emerges—led by the mysterious and devoted Chevalier de Maison-Rouge—whose single aim is to rescue the Queen from imprisonment and certain death.

Yet nothing in revolutionary France is simple. As secret plans unfold, personal lives become entangled in the struggle. Maurice Lindey, a loyal republican, finds himself torn between duty and love as he becomes drawn into a conspiracy that challenges everything he believes. Trust is fragile, identities are uncertain, and the line between hero and traitor grows dangerously thin.

Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman, this volume situates Dumas’s narrative within the broader arc of the series, illuminating how The Chevalier de Maison-Rouge represents a turning point—from revolution as collective uprising to revolution as personal tragedy. Newman’s introduction highlights the profound human cost of political change and the way Dumas blends historical drama with emotional depth.

Rich in suspense, romance, and historical detail, Book Five of The Romance of Revolution reveals the Revolution at its most intense and intimate. It is a story of loyalty under siege, courage in the face of hopeless odds, and the enduring power of love in a world transformed by fear and fate.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.308..

by Colin Heston (Author), Alexandre Dumas (Author)

Who was the mysterious prisoner forced to live behind a mask of iron—hidden from the world, erased from history, and known only in whispers? Was he a traitor, a political threat… or something far more dangerous: the king’s own brother?

In The Man in the Iron Mask, the final and most powerful chapter of Dumas’s sweeping Musketeer saga, the fate of France turns on a secret so explosive it must be buried in darkness. Set in the glittering yet ruthless court of Louis XIV, this gripping historical novel follows d’Artagnan and the aging musketeers as they are drawn into a conspiracy that challenges the very foundations of royal power.

Imprisoned in silence and steel, the masked man becomes the center of a daring plot—one that could replace a king, ignite civil war, and reshape the destiny of a nation. Loyalty and betrayal collide as ambition, justice, and friendship are tested to their limits.

This new edition, Not Ned Kelly, brings a fresh and provocative perspective. In his original introduction, Colin Heston explores the enduring mystery of the iron mask and places it in dialogue with the legend of Ned Kelly, the Australian bushranger who fashioned his own crude “iron mask” in defiance of authority. One mask imposed, the other chosen—together they reveal a timeless struggle over identity, power, and resistance.

More than a classic adventure, this is a profound meditation on secrecy, legitimacy, and the cost of power.

A masterpiece of historical fiction from one of the world’s greatest storytellers—now presented with a bold new interpretation for modern readers.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 406p.

By Alexandre Dumas. Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman

Step into the heart of revolution with Book Four of The Romance of Revolution, where Alexandre Dumas transforms one of history’s most dramatic upheavals into a vivid tapestry of passion, courage, and human struggle. This volume brings together two of the most powerful episodes in the series—Taking the Bastile and The Countess of Charny—capturing the moment when ideas erupt into action and a nation is irrevocably transformed.

In Taking the Bastile, Dumas recreates the iconic event that ignited the French Revolution. The storming of the fortress is no distant historical episode but a living, breathing drama, filled with urgency, danger, and the voices of ordinary people rising against tyranny. As the walls of the Bastille fall, so too does the illusion of absolute monarchy, replaced by the unpredictable force of popular will. Through unforgettable characters—idealists, citizens, prisoners, and leaders—Dumas shows how individuals are swept up into events far greater than themselves, yet remain central to its unfolding.

The Countess of Charny deepens the narrative, shifting from the explosive beginnings of revolution to its personal and emotional consequences. Here, the reader enters a world where loyalties are tested, families are divided, and love must survive amidst political chaos. The aristocracy, once secure at the centre of power, faces a future of uncertainty and loss, while the reforming energy of the Revolution grows ever more intense. Through richly drawn characters and intertwining relationships, Dumas reveals how historical change reshapes not only nations but the most intimate human bonds.

Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman, this volume places Dumas’s masterwork in its broader historical and literary context, offering readers a deeper appreciation of both the narrative and the extraordinary period it depicts. Newman’s introduction illuminates the continuity of the series and highlights how these two works mark a turning point—where the philosophical groundwork of earlier volumes gives way to the lived reality of revolution.

Sweeping, dramatic, and deeply human, Book Four of The Romance of Revolution is essential reading for anyone drawn to historical fiction, political drama, or the timeless questions of justice, power, and change. Dumas brings the French Revolution to life not as a distant event, but as an experience filled with urgency, complexity, and unforgettable characters—reminding us that history is always, at its core, a story about people.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.368..

The Queen’s Necklace
By Alexandre Dumas. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

Step into the glittering yet fragile world of late eighteenth-century France in The Queen’s Necklace, the dramatic third volume of Alexandre Dumas’s sweeping historical series The Romance of Revolution. In this richly layered narrative, Dumas brings together intrigue, ambition, and scandal at the very moment when the foundations of the French monarchy begin to crack.

Set against the dazzling backdrop of Versailles and the restless streets of Paris, the novel unfolds in 1784, a time when luxury and hardship coexist in stark and dangerous contrast. While the aristocracy continues its rituals of elegance, the people suffer under the weight of poverty and neglect. Out of this tension emerges a story that is both intimate and monumental, revealing how private actions can ignite public catastrophe.

At the heart of the narrative lies one of the most infamous scandals in French history: the Affair of the Diamond Necklace. Through the intertwined lives of a queen, a clever and desperate noblewoman, and a cast of courtiers, conspirators, and visionaries, Dumas crafts a tale in which illusion and reality blur, and reputation becomes more powerful than truth. Marie Antoinette appears not as a caricature of excess, but as a complex and vulnerable figure whose generosity and misjudgments alike contribute to her tragic fate. Opposite her stands Jeanne de la Motte, a woman driven by ambition and circumstance, determined to reclaim status in a society that has cast her aside.

As rumor spreads and perception takes hold, Dumas reveals a crucial insight: revolutions are not born in a single moment of upheaval, but in the slow erosion of trust. The glittering necklace at the center of the scandal becomes more than an object—it is a symbol of extravagance, illusion, and the fatal misunderstandings that can topple a kingdom.

This edition, edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman, provides readers with a thoughtful and engaging entry into Dumas’s historical vision. The introduction situates the novel within its broader revolutionary context, illuminating its themes of power, perception, and inevitability while preserving the narrative’s literary richness and dramatic force.

Combining romance, history, and psychological insight, The Queen’s Necklace stands as one of Dumas’s most compelling explorations of how societies unravel. It is a story of intrigue and destiny, of individuals caught in forces beyond their control, and of a world on the brink of transformation.

Perfect for readers of historical fiction, lovers of classic literature, and anyone fascinated by the origins of the French Revolution, this volume offers both gripping storytelling and enduring insight into one of history’s most pivotal eras.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.313..

By Alexandre Dumas
Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The revolution is no longer a whisper—it is a wound.

In Memoirs of a Physician, the sweeping second volume of The Romance of Revolution, Alexandre Dumas carries readers from secret intrigue into the brutal realities of a society on the brink of collapse. What was hidden in shadows in Book One now erupts into the open—on the streets, in the courts, and in the lives of those caught in its path.

After a catastrophic public disaster leaves the streets of Paris littered with the dead and dying, the fragile divisions between aristocrat and commoner begin to shatter. Amid the chaos, a new voice rises—one that demands justice not for the privileged, but for the people. Figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the fiery young Jean-Paul Marat embody the powerful and dangerous ideas that are transforming thought into action.

At the center of it all remains the enigmatic Joseph Balsamo—magician, strategist, and master of influence—moving silently through a world where power is shifting and nothing is secure. As royal authority weakens and unrest spreads, even the court of Louis XV and the rising figures around Marie Antoinette cannot escape the gathering storm.

Personal drama and political upheaval collide in unforgettable ways. Love, obsession, ambition, and betrayal unfold against a backdrop of mounting crisis, as ordinary lives are swept into extraordinary events. No one is untouched. No one is safe.

Featuring a compelling new introduction by Graeme R. Newman, this edition reveals Memoirs of a Physician as a pivotal chapter in Dumas’s grand vision of revolution—where ideas ignite action, and history begins to turn.

The diagnosis has been made. The consequences are beginning.

Ideal for readers of:

• Historical fiction and classic literature

• French Revolution and Enlightenment history

• Political drama and character-driven narratives

• Dumas’s great multi-volume epics

Continue the series where revolution moves from conspiracy to consequence—and the world begins to change forever.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.397..

By Alexandre Dumas
Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

From the master storyteller who brought the world The Three Musketeers comes a sweeping, electrifying tale of intrigue, prophecy, and power at the edge of revolution.

In Balsamo the Magician, Alexandre Dumas plunges readers into the shadowed world of secret societies, royal courts, and hidden knowledge in the final years before the French Revolution. At its center stands the enigmatic Joseph Balsamo—magician, alchemist, and master manipulator—who claims to see beyond the present and shape the destiny of nations.

Arriving in France under mysterious circumstances, Balsamo moves effortlessly between worlds: from clandestine rituals in ruined castles to the glittering yet fragile aristocracy of Versailles. With hypnotic power and unsettling insight, he exposes illusions, bends wills, and positions himself at the heart of forces that will soon shake Europe to its core.

Around him, a society begins to fracture. Noble families cling to fading privilege, while new ideas—drawn from thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau—circulate among the restless and ambitious. Beneath the elegance of court life lies decay, contradiction, and a gathering storm.

This new edition, featuring a substantial introduction by Graeme R. Newman, repositions Balsamo the Magician as the opening movement in The Romance of Revolution—a bold series exploring how individuals, ideas, and hidden networks converge to remake the modern world.

Rich in atmosphere, driven by unforgettable characters, and charged with historical insight, this is Dumas at his most visionary: a novel where magic meets politics, and where the future is already taking shape in the shadows.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.234.

by Rolf Boldrewood (Author), Graeme Newman (Introduction)

In an age of empire, ambition, and moral certainty, one young Englishman sets out to remake the world—and instead discovers how little he understands it.

In The British Crusades: A Colonial Reformer, Rolf Boldrewood delivers a sharply observed and quietly ironic portrait of colonial life in nineteenth-century Australia. Through the journey of Ernest Neuchamp—an idealistic reformer who arrives in the colonies armed with lofty principles and untested theories—the novel explores the collision between abstract ideals and lived reality.

Convinced that he is destined to elevate and refine colonial society, Neuchamp quickly finds himself outmatched by the practical knowledge, hard-earned experience, and subtle skepticism of those who already call the land home. From the bustling streets of Sydney to the harsh uncertainties of the interior, his “crusade” becomes a lesson in humility, survival, and the limits of imported wisdom.

Rich in detail, wit, and psychological insight, this novel is more than a story of colonial adventure. It is a penetrating critique of the reforming impulse itself—of the belief that societies can be reshaped by conviction alone. Boldrewood captures both the grandeur and the folly of empire, revealing a world where fortunes are made and lost, where appearances deceive, and where understanding must be earned, not assumed.

This Read-Me.Org edition, introduced by Graeme R. Newman, restores A Colonial Reformer with the expanded title The British Crusades, highlighting its enduring relevance to modern debates about cultural influence, reform, and the unintended consequences of idealism.

For readers of classic colonial fiction, historical realism, and works that bridge literature and social thought, this volume offers a compelling and surprisingly modern narrative—one that speaks as clearly today as it did over a century ago.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 413p.

Edited By Graeme R. Newman

Crime and Custom in Colonial Society brings together, for the first time in a single volume, the complete stories from In Court and Kampong and In Days That Are Dead by Hugh Clifford—newly introduced and contextualized by Graeme Newman for modern readers.

Set in British Malaya at the height of empire, these vivid and often unsettling narratives explore a world where radically different systems of law, morality, and social obligation collide. In the kampong villages, life is governed by custom, kinship, and deeply rooted traditions. In the colonial courts, British officials impose formal legal codes that claim universality but often fail to grasp the lived realities of the people they judge. Between these two worlds lies a fraught and morally ambiguous terrain—one in which the meaning of “crime” itself is constantly contested.

Taking its title as a deliberate echo of Crime and Custom in Savage Society by Bronisław Malinowski, this volume invites readers to reconsider one of the central questions of legal and social theory: how do societies define wrongdoing, and what gives law its authority? Where Malinowski revealed the internal coherence of indigenous systems of custom, Clifford’s stories expose the tensions, misunderstandings, and injustices that arise when those systems are overridden by colonial power.

These tales are more than historical curiosities. They are gripping human dramas—stories of loyalty and betrayal, honor and punishment, authority and resistance—told with the insight of a colonial administrator who witnessed firsthand the complexities of governing a plural society. At the same time, they offer a profound meditation on legal pluralism, cultural conflict, and the limits of imposed justice—issues that remain urgently relevant in today’s globalized world.

This new edition features a substantial scholarly introduction by Graeme Newman, situating Clifford’s work within the broader traditions of criminology, anthropology, and colonial history. Crime and Custom in Colonial Society will appeal to readers of historical fiction, students of law and sociology, and anyone interested in the enduring question of how law is shaped by culture—and how it, in turn, shapes human lives.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 297p.

Edited by Graeme R. Newman

Step out of the shadow of 221B Baker Street and into the gaslit world of the "Great Detectives."

While Sherlock Holmes reigned supreme in the pages of The Strand, he was far from the only mind at work in the fog-choked streets of Victorian London. "Beyond Sherlock Holmes: The Rivals, Rogues, and Rationalists of the Golden Age" is a definitive collection of public domain masterpieces that defined the evolution of the modern thriller.

From the "ratiocination" of Edgar Allan Poe to the forensic laboratories of Dr. Thorndyke, this anthology gathers the brilliant specialists who refined, subverted, and occasionally haunted the detective genre. These are the stories that gave Holmes his fiercest competition—characters who used logic, science, and even the occult to solve the "impossible."

Inside this collection, you will discover:

• The Forensic Pioneers: Join Dr. Thorndyke as he utilizes the first true "mobile crime lab" to solve murders through microscopic analysis.

• The Logic Masters: Witness The Thinking Machine prove that "two and two make four" by thinking his way out of an inescapable prison cell.

• The Shadow Detectives: Meet Max Carrados, the blind investigator whose heightened senses allow him to observe truths that even Holmes would miss.

• The Occult Investigators: Follow Thomas Carnacki as he bridges the gap between science and the supernatural to hunt "monsters" through the lens of logic.

• The Mastermind Villains: Face the terrifying ambition of Dr. Nikola, the Victorian "supervillain" whose global reach predates Bond villains by half a century.

• The Gentleman Thieves: Cross the line with A.J. Raffles and Arsène Lupin, the brilliant "cracksmen" who prove that the detective’s mind is just as effective when applied to the perfect heist.

A Must-Have for Fans of Classic Mystery

Whether you are a scholar of criminology or a lover of "Victorian Shockers," this volume offers a panoramic view of an era defined by gaslight, cobblestones, and the birth of forensic science. Curated with an extensive introduction detailing the history and impact of these "Rivals of Sherlock," this book is more than a collection—it is a journey through the evolution of the human mind at work.

Stories included in this edition: THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, Edgar Allan Poe-- THE CASE OF LAKER, ABSCONDED, Arthur Morrison-- THE CASE OF THE DIXON TORPEDO, Arthur Morrison-- THE PROBLEM OF CELL 13, Jacques Futrelle-- THE SILENT BULLET, Austin Freeman-- THE COIN OF DIONYSIUS, Ernest Bramah-- THE GATEWAY OF THE MONSTER, Wiliam Hope Hodgson-- THE RED LODGE, Russell Wakefield-- THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND, Arthur Conan Doyle-- THE IDES OF MARCH, E.W.Hornung-- THE ARREST OF ARSÈNE LUPIN, Maurice Leblanc.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 330p.

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Flying Squad by Edgar Wallace is a fast-paced and compelling crime novel that captures the excitement of modern policing at a time when organized crime was becoming more daring and sophisticated.

At the heart of the story is the Metropolitan Police’s elite Flying Squad, a special unit created to respond swiftly to robberies and high-stakes criminal operations. When a series of bold and carefully planned crimes begins to unsettle London, the Squad is called into action. Moving quickly across the city, they pursue a network of criminals whose intelligence and audacity make them a formidable adversary.

As the investigation unfolds, secrets emerge, alliances shift, and danger lurks at every turn. Wallace’s trademark storytelling—sharp, direct, and filled with tension—drives the narrative forward with relentless energy. The novel blends action, mystery, and suspense, offering readers both the thrill of the chase and the intrigue of a cleverly constructed plot.

Written during the golden age of crime fiction, The Flying Squad reflects a turning point in detective storytelling, where teamwork, rapid response, and coordinated strategy replace the lone investigator. Wallace’s vivid depiction of London and his insight into both criminal enterprise and police procedure give the novel a sense of realism that remains engaging today.

This classic edition invites modern readers to experience one of Edgar Wallace’s most dynamic works—a gripping tale of crime, pursuit, and justice that continues to influence the thriller genre nearly a century after its first publication.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.213..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — More Than Scotland Yard — Volume 7 brings together three of Edgar Wallace’s most gripping and atmospheric crime novels: The Clue of the Twisted Candle, The Crimson Circle, and The Dark Eyes of London. Each story reveals a different facet of Wallace’s extraordinary ability to craft suspenseful, fast-moving narratives filled with mystery, danger, and unforgettable characters.

In The Clue of the Twisted Candle, a baffling locked-room murder sets the stage for a clever and intricate investigation where appearances deceive and every clue leads deeper into uncertainty. The Crimson Circle introduces a shadowy organization operating beyond the reach of the law, weaving a tense story of blackmail, secrecy, and hidden power that keeps readers guessing until the final page. In The Dark Eyes of London, Wallace delivers one of his most chilling tales, exposing a sinister criminal scheme concealed beneath a façade of respectability, where vulnerability is exploited with ruthless precision.

Together, these novels move beyond the traditional boundaries of Scotland Yard detection and into a wider world of conspiracy, psychological tension, and hidden networks of crime. Wallace’s trademark style—swift pacing, sharp dialogue, and ingenious plotting—drives each story forward with relentless energy.

This volume offers a powerful showcase of Edgar Wallace at his most compelling, blending classic mystery with darker, more complex themes that continue to resonate with modern readers. For fans of vintage thrillers, detective fiction, and suspenseful storytelling, Volume 7 delivers three unforgettable journeys into the heart of crime and intrigue.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.417..

Edited by Sir Hugh Greene

The Further Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is the third volume in Hugh Greene’s celebrated series of anthologies that revive lesser‑known detective fiction from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. First published in 1973, this collection focuses particularly on crime and mystery stories set outside London, offering a contrast to the urban investigations associated with Sherlock Holmes.

Greene gathers an eclectic mix of authors—from C. L. Pirkis to Ernest Bramah, Arthur Morrison, Fergus Hume, Jacques Futrelle, and others—presenting detectives with distinct personalities, investigative styles, and moral shades. The volume features a blend of traditional detection, espionage, psychological mystery, and even touches of the gothic. Stories include cases solved by women detectives like Dora Myrl and unusual protagonists such as Judith Lee, a young lip‑reader who cracks crime through observation and intuition.

What defines this anthology is its sense of variety and rediscovery. Greene chose stories that had been overshadowed by Conan Doyle’s dominance but which reveal the richness and diversity of early crime fiction—full of ingenuity, twisted plots, and vivid period atmosphere. Together, these tales expand the world of detective literature, showcasing that Holmes was only one among many fascinating sleuths of his time.

If you’d like, I can also summarize individual stories, compare this volume with the rest of the series, or help locate a cover image.

New York.. Pantheon. 1973. 318p.

Edited by Hugh Greene

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is a classic anthology compiled by Hugh Greene that showcases a wide range of lesser‑known detective stories from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Greene sought to highlight the vibrant landscape of crime and mystery fiction that flourished alongside, and sometimes even before or beyond, Conan Doyle’s famous detective. The collection illustrates that Sherlock Holmes, while dominant today, once stood among many competing sleuths created by equally imaginative writers.

The stories Greene selected feature diverse detectives—amateur investigators, professional policemen, scientific detectives, con‑artists‑turned‑sleuths, and eccentric specialists—reflecting the creativity of the period’s crime fiction. The settings also vary widely, from London fog to rural estates, bustling streets, and exotic locales, providing a vivid panorama of the era. The anthology’s purpose is not only entertainment but also a historical reminder: Doyle was not alone in shaping detective fiction, and readers once had many “rivals” to choose from.

The cover of this edition visually underscores its period atmosphere. It depicts two men in period clothing—one standing, one lying across a cart—set against a Victorian street scene marked by signs such as “Bottle Water” and “Cork Board,” evoking the gritty, textured world these early detectives inhabited. [amazon.com]

New York.. Pantheon. 1970. 352p.

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

THE SHADOW OF THE YARD

From the fog-bound labyrinth of a madman’s lair to the sun-drenched deception of the Riviera, Volume 6 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace brings together three masterclasses in suspense. Here, the "King of the Thriller" pits the unassuming brilliance of Scotland Yard’s allies against the most cold-blooded predators of the jazz age.
Terror Keep
The genius of the "criminal mind" returns. J.G. Reeder—the mild-mannered investigator with the tightly furled umbrella—faces his deadliest foe: a homicidal mastermind escaped from Broadmoor and hungry for revenge. It is a race through a house of traps where death waits behind every door.
The Angel of Death
She has the face of a saint and the soul of a sociopath. Jean Briggerland is a predator who uses her beauty to mask a trail of broken lives and stolen fortunes. Can justice touch a woman who makes the law her accomplice?
The Melody of Death
A haunting tune signals a countdown to doom. Driven by a desperate secret, a man plunges into the underworld to secure a future for the woman he loves. But in Wallace’s London, every crime has a rhythm, and every rhythm has a price.
Three novels. Two legendary detectives. One master of mystery. "Whether it’s a master forger or a murderous socialite, Wallace never misses a beat."

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.373..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman
Welcome to the fifth volume of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — Beyond Scotland Yard., Volume 5. As we continue our journey through the vast, thrilling archives of the man who once had a book on every bedside table in England, we move away from the procedural confines of the Yard and into the shadowy territories of global conspiracies and nocturnal terrors. Edgar Wallace was never just a writer of "whodunnits." He was a pioneer of the "thriller" in its most visceral form—a master of the ticking clock, the hidden organization, and the villain whose reach spans continents.
The Fourth Plague (1913). One of Wallace’s most ambitious early works, The Fourth Plague introduces us to the "Red Hand," a sinister Italian secret society that holds London in a grip of terror. This isn't a mere case of theft or individual murder; the Red Hand threatens the very fabric of society with a biological ultimatum. Wallace masterfully blends the tropes of the "Yellow Peril" and Italian vendetta narratives of his era into a high-stakes race against time. It is a proto-techno-thriller that showcases Wallace’s fascination with how easily modern civilization can be brought to its knees by a dedicated few.
A King by Night (1925). Written at the height of his fame and dedicated to his close friend P.G. Wodehouse, A King by Night is a different beast entirely. When a young woman from Sacramento arrives in London searching for her missing uncle, she is swept into a nightmare involving a mysterious, legendary criminal known as "The King." Set against a backdrop of fog-drenched streets and eerie country estates, this novel highlights Wallace’s ability to create a sense of mounting dread. It is a classic example of his "terror" novels—where the villain is not just a man, but a looming, almost supernatural presence.
Why "Beyond Scotland Yard"? While the "Blue Eyed Boy" of the C.I.D. often made appearances in Wallace’s work, these stories remind us that the most dangerous criminals don't always leave a trail the police can follow. Sometimes, it takes an adventurer, a victim’s desperate relative, or a rogue investigator to venture into the places where the law fears to tread.
In Volume 5, the stakes are higher, the villains are bolder, and the mysteries are shrouded in the dark corners of the world. Turn the page, and prepare to meet the criminals who thought they were beyond the reach of justice—only to find that Edgar Wallace was waiting for them.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.395..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace: Scotland Yard and Beyond — Volume 4 brings readers two of Edgar Wallace’s most entertaining and unusual adventure novels: Bones and Bones in London. Blending humor, mystery, and crime with the author’s trademark pace and vivid storytelling, these stories reveal a lighter but no less thrilling side of Wallace’s imagination.

At the center of both novels is the unforgettable character Bones, a well-meaning but wildly unpredictable figure whose adventures unfold amid colonial intrigue, bureaucratic mishaps, and unexpected encounters with criminals and conspirators. In Bones, readers travel to the colorful and often chaotic world of colonial Africa, where the enthusiastic but frequently misguided Bones attempts to prove his courage and competence while stumbling into one outrageous situation after another.

In Bones in London, the action moves to the heart of the British capital. Far from the jungles and rivers of Africa, Bones finds himself navigating the complexities of metropolitan life, where his talent for attracting trouble follows him wherever he goes. What begins as a simple visit soon becomes entangled with crime, deception, and the watchful presence of Scotland Yard.

Filled with sharp dialogue, comic mishaps, and moments of genuine suspense, these two novels showcase Edgar Wallace’s remarkable range as a storyteller. Famous for his crime thrillers and detective tales, Wallace was equally skilled at creating characters whose humanity and humor shine through even in the midst of danger.

Volume 4 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace offers readers another captivating installment in this series celebrating the work of one of the most widely read writers of the early twentieth century. For fans of classic adventure, crime fiction, and unforgettable characters, these lively stories remain as engaging and entertaining today as when they were first published.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.304..

SCOTLAND YARD AND BEYOND

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace: Scotland Yard and More — Volume 3 brings together two exciting works by one of the most prolific and entertaining masters of crime fiction. Edgar Wallace’s stories of clever criminals, daring investigators, and ingenious plots captivated millions of readers in the early twentieth century, and they continue to deliver suspense and adventure today.

This volume features The Adventures of Heine, a lively collection of tales centered on one of Wallace’s most intriguing characters. Moving through the underworld of international intrigue and high-stakes deception, Heine encounters spies, smugglers, and master criminals in stories filled with wit, danger, and unexpected twists. Wallace’s fast-paced storytelling and sharp dialogue make each episode a memorable adventure.

Also included is the gripping novel The Girl from Scotland Yard, a thrilling story that places a determined investigator at the center of a web of mystery and crime. As secrets unfold and danger closes in, the story showcases Wallace’s remarkable ability to blend suspense, clever plotting, and dramatic tension.

Together these works reveal the rich variety of Wallace’s crime fiction—from clever short adventures to full-length mystery. Filled with secret schemes, daring investigations, and the ever-present struggle between crime and justice, Volume 3 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace offers another exciting glimpse into the world of classic detective storytelling.

Perfect for readers who enjoy classic mysteries, Scotland Yard investigations, and the golden age of crime fiction, this collection continues the tradition of suspense and adventure that made Edgar Wallace one of the most widely read thriller writers of his time.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.373..

 SCOTLAND YARD AND BEYOND

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman

From the shadowed streets of London to the secret worlds of spies and master criminals, Edgar Wallace delivers the kind of high-speed storytelling that made him one of the most widely read writers of his age.

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — Volume 1 gathers a thrilling selection of Wallace’s most entertaining tales of intrigue, deception, and daring adventure. Within these pages readers encounter brilliant detectives, elusive thieves, secret societies, and dangerous conspiracies that challenge the keenest minds of Scotland Yard. Each story unfolds with Wallace’s trademark pace—swift, suspenseful, and filled with surprising twists.

A master of popular fiction, Wallace combined sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and ingenious plots to create stories that remain as gripping today as when they first captivated readers in the early twentieth century.

This exciting new edition invites modern readers to rediscover a classic voice of crime fiction and experience the suspense, wit, and adventure that made Edgar Wallace a legend of the thriller.