Colin Heston (Editor and Author), J. S. Fletcher (Author)

Two Classic Mystery Novels by J. S. Fletcher. The Middle Temple Murder & The Middle of Things.
Edited with a New Preface by Colin Heston

Step into the shadowy world of Edwardian crime with two compelling mysteries from one of Britain's greatest masters of detective fiction, J. S. Fletcher.

In The Middle Temple Murder, a respected barrister is found dead in London's historic legal district. What first appears to be a straightforward case soon reveals a web of hidden identities, long-buried secrets, and unexpected motives. As investigators follow a trail of clues through the chambers, courts, and corridors of the Middle Temple, Fletcher demonstrates why he became one of the most admired crime writers of his age.

In The Middle of Things, an apparently ordinary man suddenly finds himself at the centre of a baffling mystery. Drawn into a world of deception, intrigue, and danger, he must untangle a series of puzzling events whose significance becomes clear only when he discovers that he is standing in the very middle of a much larger scheme. Combining suspense, clever plotting, and memorable characters, Fletcher once again delivers a masterclass in classic detective storytelling.

Both novels showcase Fletcher's remarkable ability to blend traditional mystery, legal intrigue, and psychological suspense. His carefully constructed plots, vivid settings, and attention to detail helped shape the development of modern crime fiction and influenced generations of mystery writers.

This new edition includes a specially written preface by Colin Heston, exploring Fletcher's enduring appeal, his contribution to detective literature, and the continuing relevance of his mysteries in an age still fascinated by crime, justice, and hidden truths.

Perfect for readers who enjoy Golden Age detective fiction, courtroom mysteries, and the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Freeman Wills Crofts, and G. K. Chesterton, Murder in the Middle offers two engrossing tales from one of the early twentieth century's most accomplished mystery writers.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.342.

J. S. Fletcher (author). Colin Heston (Editor and Preface).

Before modern crime thrillers and historical adventures captivated millions of readers, J. S. Fletcher was crafting tales of intrigue, danger, deception, and suspense that kept readers turning pages late into the night. Dark and Dangerous Mysteries brings together two of Fletcher's most compelling novels, revealing the remarkable range of one of Britain's most prolific and imaginative writers.

In Mistress Spitfire, Fletcher transports readers to the turbulent days of seventeenth-century England. Against a backdrop of political unrest, secret loyalties, and personal vendettas, a spirited and unforgettable heroine finds herself caught in a web of danger and adventure. Combining historical drama, romance, and high-stakes intrigue, this vivid tale evokes a world where courage and cunning often mean the difference between life and death.

In The Orange-Yellow Diamond, Fletcher turns his formidable talents to mystery and detection. A priceless gem, mysterious disappearances, hidden motives, and a trail of clues lead readers through a masterfully constructed puzzle. As secrets emerge and suspects multiply, Fletcher demonstrates why he became one of the leading architects of twentieth-century crime fiction.

Together, these two novels showcase Fletcher at his best: a writer equally at home in the shadowy corridors of mystery and the dramatic landscapes of historical adventure. Rich in atmosphere, populated by memorable characters, and driven by expertly crafted plots, these stories remain as entertaining today as when they first appeared.

Carefully edited by Colin Heston, Dark and Dangerous Mysteries offers modern readers an opportunity to rediscover a forgotten master of suspense whose influence can still be felt in contemporary crime and adventure fiction.

Perfect for readers who enjoy classic mysteries, historical adventures, vintage detective fiction, and the timeless storytelling of the golden age of popular fiction.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.302.

By Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

As a classic reprint under its new title, "For the Love of Guilt," this volume revives a seminal work of Victorian crime fiction originally published in 1891 as The Man from Manchester. Authored by the prolific Dick Donovan—the pseudonym for Joyce Emmerson Preston Muddock—the novel serves as a fascinating bridge between the sensationalist mid-Victorian "Newgate" novels and the more structured detective fiction popularized by contemporaries like Edgar Wallace.

The story begins on a dark, fog-laden November afternoon at Manchester’s London Road Station. It is here that fate intertwines the lives of two men of contrasting character: Josiah Vecquerary, a prosperous and "frank-speaking" Manchester warehouseman, and Richard Hipcraft, a "sparse and shrunken" London solicitor with a voice described as "harsh and unpleasant". Their chance meeting in a first-class carriage, soon joined by the beautiful and mysterious Mrs. Neilsen (later revealed as Sabena Tortolini) and her niece Muriel, sets in motion a "drama of real life" that will lead to scandal, betrayal, and eventually, murder.

Dick Donovan’s narrative explores the rigid social boundaries and the "British reserve" of the era, while simultaneously delving into the darker psychological impulses of his characters. Josiah Vecquerary represents the "better type of the true 'Manchester Man'"—upright and hospitable—yet he finds his stable life unraveling after a series of encounters with Hipcraft and the enigmatic Mrs. Neilsen. The conflict between Vecquerary and Hipcraft, which begins with a petty dispute over a train compartment, escalates into a bitter legal battle and a "strange and startling theory" involving the detective Farabin Tindal.

As the plot shifts from the busy streets of "Cottonopolis" to the grim fog of London and the stark cliffs of Hastings, the novel transforms into a "ravelled skein" of circumstantial evidence. The reappearance of characters like the "sleuth-hound" Slark and the tragic Tortolini highlights Donovan’s mastery of the procedural thriller, long before the genre had acquired its modern form.

This 2026 edition, introduced by Colin Heston, invites a new generation of readers to experience a tale where "true love endureth forever," yet where the shadows of guilt are never far behind. For the Love of Guilt remains a compelling study of human nature, described by Donovan as "a riddle and a mystery," proving that the themes of justice, revenge, and redemption are truly timeless.

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 205 p.

by James Edward Muddock (Author), Graeme Newman (Introduction)

Death and Vengeance in Australia by James Edward Muddock is a gripping colonial drama that fuses romance, frontier survival, and high-stakes adventure into a powerful narrative of love tested by fate and ambition.

Set against the vast and unforgiving landscapes of nineteenth-century Australia, the novel follows Harold Preston, a young settler whose fortunes are shattered by relentless drought. As ruin closes in and his future with the spirited Mary Gordon hangs in the balance, an unexpected discovery—a dying prospector’s secret of a fabulously rich gold field hidden deep in the western wilderness—offers a last, desperate hope.

But in a land where distance, danger, and desire shape every decision, fortune comes at a cost. As Harold prepares to risk everything on a perilous expedition into the unknown, friendship begins to fray, rivalries deepen, and darker motives emerge. What begins as a story of devotion and resilience steadily transforms into a tense struggle where trust is uncertain, and vengeance may prove as powerful as love.

Blending vivid descriptions of the Australian bush with psychological tension and moral conflict, this novel captures the harsh realities and seductive promises of colonial life. First published as Out There: A Romance of Australia, this newly retitled edition highlights the novel’s deeper themes of betrayal, survival, and retribution.

This Read-Me.Org edition includes a modern introduction by Graeme R. Newman, placing the work in historical and literary context for contemporary readers.

A compelling rediscovery for fans of classic adventure, historical fiction, and early crime narratives, Death and Vengeance in Australia reveals how quickly hope can turn to peril—and how, in the wilderness, every choice carries consequences

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 273 p.

By Guy Boothby (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

An Aristocratic Conspiracy. A Vile Betrayal. A Life Erased in the Shadows of Europe.

Lord Carminster is not a typical Peer. He is an intellectual, an artist, and a recluse who prefers painting in Vienna to the hunting fields of England. After four years abroad, he returns to the stately Carminster Park with a new wife, only to find the beautiful estate smothered by a historic fog.

This homecoming, thick with tension, is only the beginning of a nightmare.

Within days, the "Stolen Peer" becomes the victim of a sophisticated conspiracy. Abducted and drugged on his own lands, Lord Carminster is spirited away on a desolate railway and held captive on a yacht, while his identity and family honour are stolen by his enemies. Back in London, the clubs are rife with scandal, systematically dismantling his reputation until even his friends question his existence.

This definitive new edition, based on the complete text of the original 1906 edition, is the ultimate classic Victorian thriller. It has been meticulously processed to:

• Remove all background noise and aged artifacts for superior readability.

• Preserve the original 19th-century British English spelling.

• Offer the first-ever 6 x 9 inch trade edition.

If you love the gothic suspense of Wilkie Collins or the master-criminals of early espionage fiction, discover why Guy Boothby (1867–1905) was one of the defining architects of the modern thriller. Experience The Kidnapped Lord (formerly known as A Stolen Peer) exactly as a contemporary audience would have: as a gripping, cutting-edge exploration of how easily a life of privilege can be erased in the shadows of the British Empire..Read-Me.Org Inc.

New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 182 p.

By Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

Step into the shadowed world of Victorian crime, where deception is an art, identity is a weapon, and justice depends on the sharpest of minds.

The Great Diamond Frauds and Other Criminal Mysteries by Dick Donovan brings together a gripping collection of true-to-life detective stories drawn from the golden age of early criminal investigation. These tales follow the exploits of a seasoned investigator navigating a society where elegance and corruption often walk hand in hand.

At the heart of the volume is the astonishing case of the Great Diamond Frauds—a brilliantly orchestrated swindle involving forged identities, counterfeit jewels, and a criminal network bold enough to prey upon the highest levels of society. From there, the collection unfolds into a series of equally compelling mysteries: cunning cardsharpers operating on railway lines, tragic tales of love and law entangled, and elaborate schemes that expose the vulnerabilities of both wealth and respectability.

What sets Donovan’s work apart is its striking realism. These are not merely puzzles to be solved, but vivid reconstructions of crime as it was lived and pursued in the nineteenth century. With a keen eye for human psychology and a deep understanding of investigative method, Donovan reveals how criminals think—and how they are ultimately brought to justice.

Rich in atmosphere and historical detail, this collection will appeal to readers of classic detective fiction, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the origins of modern policing. It is a window into a world where the stakes are high, the disguises are convincing, and the truth is never quite what it seems.

Carefully restored and presented as a Read-Me.Org classic edition, this volume preserves the integrity of the original texts while making them accessible to contemporary readers. For readers of Sherlock Holmes, true crime history, and classic Victorian mystery

..Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 269 p.

By Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

From the shadowed corridors of imperial power to the hidden networks of revolution and intrigue, The Russian Assassin and Other Bond-Like Stories by Dick Donovan delivers a gripping collection of high-stakes crime fiction that bridges the worlds of classic detection and early espionage.

At the heart of this volume is the unforgettable tale of Egor Treskin—a hunted man, a political exile, and an avenger forged by injustice. When a powerful Russian official is assassinated under mysterious circumstances, the pursuit that follows stretches across borders, drawing in spies, informants, and detectives in a tense international manhunt. But as the truth unfolds, the question becomes unavoidable: is Treskin a cold-blooded killer, or the product of a brutal and oppressive system?

Surrounding this powerful opening narrative are a series of equally compelling stories—ingenious schemes, daring conspiracies, and criminal plots that hinge on deception, chance, and razor-sharp intelligence. Donovan’s storytelling combines vivid atmosphere with tightly constructed mysteries, while anticipating the global intrigue and psychological complexity that would later define modern spy fiction.

Written at a time when political unrest, anarchist movements, and international surveillance were reshaping the nature of crime, these stories feel strikingly contemporary. Disguises, coded messages, secret alliances, and relentless pursuit drive narratives that move from the streets of Britain to the shadowy machinery of foreign powers.

This Read-Me.Org edition, introduced by Graeme R. Newman, brings together these thrilling and thought-provoking tales in a carefully prepared modern format. It preserves the energy of Donovan’s original storytelling while highlighting its lasting relevance to readers of crime, history, and espionage fiction.

For fans of classic detectives, early spy thrillers, and authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Wallace, The Russian Assassin and Other Bond-Like Stories offers a rare and compelling glimpse into the origins of modern crime fiction—where justice is uncertain, motives are complex, and danger is never far from view.

A classic collection of intrigue, intelligence, and international suspense.

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 269 p.

By Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

From the shadowed corridors of imperial power to the hidden networks of revolution and intrigue, The Russian Assassin and Other Bond-Like Stories by Dick Donovan delivers a gripping collection of high-stakes crime fiction that bridges the worlds of classic detection and early espionage.

At the heart of this volume is the unforgettable tale of Egor Treskin—a hunted man, a political exile, and an avenger forged by injustice. When a powerful Russian official is assassinated under mysterious circumstances, the pursuit that follows stretches across borders, drawing in spies, informants, and detectives in a tense international manhunt. But as the truth unfolds, the question becomes unavoidable: is Treskin a cold-blooded killer, or the product of a brutal and oppressive system?

Surrounding this powerful opening narrative are a series of equally compelling stories—ingenious schemes, daring conspiracies, and criminal plots that hinge on deception, chance, and razor-sharp intelligence. Donovan’s storytelling combines vivid atmosphere with tightly constructed mysteries, while anticipating the global intrigue and psychological complexity that would later define modern spy fiction.

Written at a time when political unrest, anarchist movements, and international surveillance were reshaping the nature of crime, these stories feel strikingly contemporary. Disguises, coded messages, secret alliances, and relentless pursuit drive narratives that move from the streets of Britain to the shadowy machinery of foreign powers.

This Read-Me.Org edition, introduced by Graeme R. Newman, brings together these thrilling and thought-provoking tales in a carefully prepared modern format. It preserves the energy of Donovan’s original storytelling while highlighting its lasting relevance to readers of crime, history, and espionage fiction.

For fans of classic detectives, early spy thrillers, and authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Wallace, The Russian Assassin and Other Bond-Like Stories offers a rare and compelling glimpse into the origins of modern crime fiction—where justice is uncertain, motives are complex, and danger is never far from view.

A classic collection of intrigue, intelligence, and international suspense.

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 269 p.

By Dick Donovan. Introduction by Graeme R. Newman

A brilliant mind. A new way of solving crime. A detective unlike any other.

In The Criminologist as Detective, Victorian master storyteller Dick Donovan introduces Fabian Field—a daring and unconventional investigator who challenges the limits of traditional policing. At a time when Scotland Yard relies on routine methods and rigid procedures, Field brings something radically different to the pursuit of justice: psychological insight, analytical daring, and a fearless willingness to follow reason wherever it leads.

This collection of gripping detective stories showcases some of Field’s most remarkable cases, from the sensational disappearance of a wealthy heiress to chilling murders concealed behind layers of deception. Each mystery unfolds with vivid drama, but what sets these stories apart is their intellectual edge. Field does not simply gather clues—he interprets human behavior, exposes hidden motives, and reconstructs crime through logic, intuition, and bold inference.

Blending suspense with early criminological thinking, Donovan’s stories anticipate the modern detective genre while retaining the atmosphere and richness of late nineteenth-century fiction. Here, crime is not merely a puzzle to be solved, but a window into the complexities of human nature—greed, ambition, fear, and betrayal.

This new Read-Me.Org edition, introduced by Graeme R. Newman, brings these classic tales to contemporary readers in a carefully prepared and accessible form, preserving their original energy while highlighting their lasting significance.

For readers of Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Wallace, and classic detective fiction, The Criminologist as Detective offers a compelling journey into the origins of modern crime-solving—where reason triumphs, perception sharpens, and every case is a battle of minds.

A classic reborn for a new generation of readers.

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 273 p.

by Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

In an age before forensic certainty and tidy solutions, crime was a shadowy affair—driven by passion, greed, jealousy, and chance. In Mysteries of Death and Poison, Dick Donovan—one of the great pioneers of detective fiction—invites readers into a world where truth is elusive and justice is never guaranteed.

These gripping tales range from domestic intrigue to international adventure, from quiet drawing rooms to perilous frontiers. A young woman vanishes into scandal and suspicion. A death by poison defies explanation. A secret, buried in the wreckage of empire, threatens to surface with deadly consequences. Across each story, Donovan’s investigators confront not only cunning criminals, but the deeper uncertainties of human motive and moral responsibility.

Unlike the neatly solved puzzles of later detective fiction, these mysteries resist easy answers. Evidence is incomplete, witnesses unreliable, and the line between guilt and innocence dangerously blurred. The result is a collection that is as unsettling as it is compelling—where the question is not merely who committed the crime, but whether the truth can ever be fully known.

Vivid, atmospheric, and remarkably modern in its psychological insight, Mysteries of Death and Poison reveals the origins of the detective genre while challenging its assumptions. These are stories that linger—haunting in their ambiguity, and unforgettable in their portrayal of a world where justice is uncertain and danger is never far from the surface

.Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 273 p.

by Dick Donovan (Author), Graeme Newman (Introduction)

Long before the age of international spies, high-tech surveillance, and cinematic intrigue, there was the detective—patient, methodical, and relentless in the pursuit of truth.

Before 007 brings together a powerful collection of classic crime stories from the late Victorian era, drawn from A Detective’s Triumphs and In the Grip of the Law. These tales capture the origins of modern detective fiction, where every clue matters, every motive counts, and justice depends not on force, but on reason.

In these pages, readers will encounter murders concealed by cunning, thefts executed with precision, and criminals undone by the smallest of details—a footprint, a gesture, a forgotten inconsistency. The detectives who pursue them rely not on gadgets or spectacle, but on observation, logic, and experience. Their world is one of gaslit streets, quiet drawing rooms, and hidden dangers beneath respectable society.

This new edition has been carefully modernized for today’s reader. Language has been streamlined, structure clarified, and pacing refined—while preserving the distinctive voice and atmosphere of the original texts. The result is a collection that reads with clarity and immediacy, yet retains the depth and character of its time.

More than historical curiosities, these stories reveal the foundations of the modern whodunnit. The techniques, tensions, and narrative strategies that define contemporary crime fiction are already present here in their earliest form.

For readers of classic mysteries, criminology, and detective fiction—from Sherlock Holmes to modern thrillers—Before 007offers a compelling return to where it all began.

Step into the world of detection—before the spy, before the spectacle—when solving the crime was the story.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 272 p.

by Dick Donovan (Author), Colin Heston (Introduction)

Investigating Terror – More Stories of Dick Donovan gathers a wide-ranging collection of late Victorian crime and mystery tales in which detection merges with dread and rational inquiry confronts the unknown. In these stories, investigation is never merely the solving of a puzzle; it is an encounter with uncertainty, where crime, psychology, and the uncanny are tightly entwined.

From the eerie Edinburgh mystery of The Clue of the Dead Hand to the unsettling medical case of The Woman with the ‘Oily Eyes’, Donovan leads readers through gripping narratives told by detectives, physicians, and eyewitnesses. Presented through layered forms—official records, personal testimonies, and recovered papers—these stories achieve a striking sense of immediacy while deepening their atmosphere of unease. Whether confronting spectral legends, violent crimes, or inexplicable events, Donovan’s investigators move through worlds in which logic alone cannot fully account for what they encounter.

Spanning settings from Britain to continental Europe and beyond, these tales reveal a writer of remarkable versatility and imaginative reach. Rich in suspense, gothic tension, and psychological insight, they anticipate many of the themes of modern crime and horror fiction while retaining the vivid drama of their time.

This edition is enhanced by a substantial introduction by Colin Heston, which situates Donovan’s work within the broader evolution of detective and terror fiction and explores its continuing relevance for contemporary readers. Together, the stories and introduction offer both a compelling reading experience and a deeper understanding of a formative moment in the history of crime literature.

For readers of classic mysteries, gothic fiction, and early detective stories, Investigating Terror is an essential rediscovery—where every investigation opens onto something darker, and every answer leads further into the unknown.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 248 p.