Those of us who are voracious readers can never get our fill. There is always some intriguing new mystery or riveting new thriller to devour, and an endless stream of new releases to add to our reading wish lists.
But sometimes you just crave a classic. These are the books that created the scaffolding for the genres we know and love—and they are just darn good.
Every month, we’re bringing you a selection of free ebooks to read that are perfect for all you timeless sleuths out there—lovers of all things mysterious and thrilling.
House of the Two Green Eyes
Mrs. Belle Villiers is, or rather was, a shining socialite in early-twentieth-century Manhattan. Frequently, the subject of papers—with her love affairs and influence in local politics—Villiers is making headlines for different reasons.
Found strangled to death near her home, with her jewels still intact, police don’t know what to make of the scene. The police still haven’t found her son, and only heir, who has a million-dollar inheritance waiting for him.
Experienced crime reporter Richard Dayton decides to take a stab at the case, following the clues through the darkest parts of the city.
Trent's Last Case
Celebrated by Nobel Prize-nominated author G. K. Chesterton as “the finest detective story of modern times,” Trent’s Last Case begins with the death of the wealthy Sigsbee Manderson.
Found with a bullet in his brain on the grounds of his British country estate by his gardener, police are not sure where to begin. Although Manderson’s name is uttered throughout Wall Street, few knew the man.
That’s where amateur sleuth Philip Trent steps in, discovering overlooked clues just by stumbling across the case in the newspaper. Now, the experts must rely on a man making up the art of detection as he goes.
The Moon Rock
Robert Turold has finally achieved his life’s mission, proving his family’s noble status and securing his barony title. He appoints his brother and nephew as his heirs, passing over his daughter, whom he believes to be illegitimate.
It’s Robert’s isolated manor, on the Cornish cliffs, that becomes a crime scene when he’s found shot dead. Although the manner points to suicide, Robert’s sister is not convinced, and Detective Barrant arrives from Scotland Yard.
He’s sure Robert’s, now-missing daughter, had something to do with the murder, and must mind through a web of tangled sins to find the killer.
The Broadway Murders
In the private den of New York City’s hottest cabaret night club, a deal is underway. Anthony Sommers, owner of the joint Big Joe Carozzo’s lawyer, is negotiating the purchase of a diamond.
But things take a turn for the worse when the owner of the jewel is found dead, and when Sommers is found passed out at the scene of the crime. Now the big-shot lawyer is in jail.
But not all hope is lost, when his daughter, Molly, leaves her small town and arrives in the city, intent on proving his innocence.
Undercover, she takes a job as the club’s newest singer—all the while gathering evidence in a whirl of chorus girls, gangsters, and, above all, danger.
