National Network for Equitable Library Service

Literary legend Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell, solve mysteries in eighteenth-century London in this delightful story collection. A brilliant thinker and his trusted assistant sit in their drawing room, pondering a story in the newspaper, when the door opens and the subject of the article enters, begging for help. It's a classic scene from English detective fiction, set not at 221B Baker Street, but 1 Inner Temple Lane-the home of Dr. Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell. This mystery, concerning a disputed title, a kidnapped earl, and one of the greatest fortunes in England, will be no match for Dr. Johnson. Based on true criminal cases of the era and inspired by Boswell's legendary Life of Johnson, the seven stories in this volume touch on witchcraft, murder, theft, and the scientific breakthroughs of the Enlightenment. "I am lost without my Boswell," said Sherlock Holmes-and Dr. Johnson was no different. Lillian de la Torre's delightful stories of Boswell and Johnson show the original Watson and Holmes in action.