{"product_id":"the-singing-bone-r-austin-freeman-1st-paperback-edition","title":"The Singing Bone, R. Austin Freeman —1st Paperback Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication:\u003c\/b\u003e London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1913\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormatting:\u003c\/b\u003e 8vo, pp. N\/A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Report:\u003c\/b\u003e Good. For an ephemeral paperbound volume of this vintage, the preservation is highly commendable, though it exhibits the expected wear inherent to the format. The illustrated paper wrappers remain remarkably bright and visually striking, displaying minor edge-rubbing, mild creasing across the panels, subtle chipping at the spine ends, and a small closed tear at the lower front joint. The binding remains largely sound but delicate. Internally, the cheap paper stock has inevitably tanned, though the leaves are crisp and clean, unmarked save for a neat contemporary ownership inscription ('W. J. Warner \/ June 1914') in ink to the upper margin of the preface page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCatalogue Note:\u003c\/b\u003e This is the scarce first paperbound edition of Freeman’s landmark collection, published as part of Hodder \u0026amp; Stoughton’s ‘Famous Sixpenny Novels’ series. Originally issued in cloth in 1912, this 1913 edition is of paramount importance to the history of detective fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is in this volume that Freeman pioneered the 'inverted detective story' format. By first presenting the crime from the perpetrator’s perspective, allowing the reader to witness the act, the motives, and the concealing of evidence, Freeman shifted the narrative focus from 'who did it?' to 'how will they be caught?'. This reversed approach allowed his series detective, Dr. John Thorndyke, to demonstrate his pioneering forensic and scientific methods to brilliant effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurviving copies of these fragile sixpenny editions are exceptionally scarce on the open market, particularly with the spine and striking front wrapper artwork intact, making this a highly desirable piece for collectors of early crime fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. John Thorndyke, the pioneer of scientific detection, returns to apply his unparalleled forensic mind to a series of baffling crimes. In these groundbreaking tales, the reader is made an accomplice to the crime, witnessing the meticulous plotting and execution of murder before Thorndyke even arrives on the scene. Stripped of the usual whodunit mystery, the thrill lies in watching the master investigator unearth the fatal flaws and overlooked traces left by seemingly perfect criminals, proving that no deed can truly be hidden from the cold, discerning light of science.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54813829759315,"sku":"5309","price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260819_140419.jpg?v=1788252353","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-singing-bone-r-austin-freeman-1st-paperback-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}