The Master Mystery (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Silent-Film Serial Adventure of Criminal Conspiracy, Scientific Peril, and a Menacing Robot AutomatonBy Arthur B. Reeve
Length8h 12m
About this audiobook
The Master Mystery is a vigorous early-twentieth-century thriller that blends detective fiction, scientific romance, industrial espionage, and the sensational rhythms of the silent-film serial. Centered on Quentin Locke's struggle against a criminal conspiracy and its terrifying mechanical enforcer, the Automaton, the book unfolds in episodic cliffhangers, secret laboratories, disguises, traps, and technological marvels. Its prose is direct, kinetic, and melodramatic, belonging to the popular magazine tradition while anticipating later pulp adventure, superhero narratives, and robot fiction. Arthur B. Reeve, best known as the creator of the scientific detective Craig Kennedy, was deeply attuned to an era fascinated by invention, forensic science, and the ambiguous promises of modern technology. Trained in the habits of journalistic clarity and popular suspense, Reeve wrote for readers eager to see contemporary science transformed into mystery and spectacle. His collaboration with the culture of silent cinema, including the fame of Harry Houdini, helped shape the book's emphasis on peril, escape, and mechanical menace. This book is recommended for readers interested in the origins of techno-thrillers, pulp fiction, and early representations of robots in popular culture. Though unmistakably of its period, it remains absorbing as a document of modernity's anxieties and entertainments.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.3 (49)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon
GenreScience Fiction, Mystery and Thriller
Length8 hrs 12 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJun 13, 2018
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
17Chapter XIII
2Introduction
18Chapter XIV
3Synopsis
19Chapter XV
4Historical Context
20Chapter XVI
5Chapter I
21Chapter XVII
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6Chapter II
22Chapter XVIII
7Chapter III
23Chapter XIX
8Chapter IV
24Chapter XX
9Chapter V
25Chapter XXI
10Chapter VI
26Chapter XXII
11Chapter VII
27Chapter XXIII
12Chapter VIII
28Chapter XXIV
13Chapter IX
29Chapter XXV
14Chapter X
30Analysis
15Chapter XI
31Reflection
16Chapter XII
32Memorable Quotes
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