Showing results by author "John McCormick" in All Categories

"“Who is he?” I asked.“The worst man in London,” Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretched his legs before the fire." And so begins this Sherlock Holmes adventure with the most morally corrupt and vile man in London. A man whom Sherlock must accept into his home and treat with professional courtesy despite intense personal disgust and animosity. What power does this man hold over Holmes and the other people he forces into terrible situations? - Summary by phil c

Harrington Strong was a pseudonym used by author Johnston McCulley, creator of the character Zorro and many others. The Brand of Silence - A Detective Story finds Sidney Prale returning to New York after ten years during which he sought his fortune. But he finds New York a very changed place, and even more distressing, he finds that his old friends are now turning their backs on him, his old haunts no longer welcome him, and there seems to be a conspiracy against him.Why can't he receive service in hotels, restaurants, and theaters that he once frequented? Who is working against him? And just ...

The House of the Dead is a novel published in 1861 by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, which portrays the life of convicts in a Siberian prison camp. Dostoyevsky himself spent four years in exile in such a camp following his conviction for involvement in the Petrashevsky Circle. This experience allowed him to describe with great authenticity the conditions of prison life and the characters of the convicts. The narrator, Aleksandr Petrovich Goryanchikov, has been sentenced to penalty deportation to Siberia and ten years of hard labour. Life in prison is particularly hard for Aleksandr ...

Uncle's Dream by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a satirical novella set in a provincial Russian town. It follows the ambitions of Maria Alexandrovna, a scheming mother determined to marry off her beautiful daughter Zina to a senile old prince for wealth and status. As the town buzzes with gossip, the plan unravels through misunderstandings and personal conflicts. Blending humor with social commentary, the story critiques vanity, greed, and the absurdities of provincial life in 19th-century Russian society. Summary by John McCormick

The American Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is a collection showcasing clever U.S. detectives who mirror Sherlock Holmes' brilliance. Though not written by Mark Twain, it features stories by various authors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These detectives solve crimes with wit, logic, and unique American flair, offering an alternative to Holmes’ British methods. Full of charm, humor, and suspense, the anthology highlights how American authors contributed to the detective fiction genre, proving Holmes wasn’t alone in his intellectual mastery across the Atlantic. Summary by John ...

Follow the Manchester Evening News 'special correspondent' and his guide - recently back from a 'seven stretch' - as they take you on a tour through the dimly lit quarters of late 19th-century criminal Manchester.- Summary by Phil Benson

Red Riding Hood is walking through the woods, taking a lovely meal to her ailing grandmother. She has been warned about the big bad wolf, but when she meets a shaggy stranger, he insists he is the big good wolf. Should she trust him?

Dr. John McCormick discusses the healthcare industry and his vision for providing affordable quality health care for all.