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1Pit Prop Syndicate

By Freeman Wills Crofts

Seymour Merriman stops at the side of the road 26 miles outside Bordeaux, an action that will change his life forever. The events that follow lead him into mystery, smuggling, murder and love. Two amateur detectives try to unravel the mystery of changing number plates, and everything else that surrounds the pit prop syndicate, before the case is handed over to Inspector Willis of Scotland Yard. (KHand)

2Cask

By Freeman Wills Crofts

Though he went on to write dozens of other novels over an almost 40-year career, his debut work--this 1920 detective mystery--is considered by many to be Crofts’ masterpiece. A cask supposedly containing statuary is accidentally damaged when it’s being unloaded in London. Its contents are a surprise, and a mystery! Will Inspector Burnley be able to solve it? (Summary by Verla Viera)

3Inspector French's Greatest Case

By Freeman Wills Crofts

Inspector French of Scotland Yard follows the clues of a Hatton Garden murder-heist case leading him far and wide both in Britain and in the continent and finally to the culprit in a thrilling narrative - Summary by Yoganandh T

4Starvel Hollow Tragedy

By Freeman Wills Crofts

An orphan girl goes on a surprise trip to meet her father's old acquaintance at York, very much relieved to be away albeit for a few days from her dreary surroundings at her uncle's place located in the Starvel Hollow. But her world turns on its head in a couple of days when she receives a telegram about a major fire accident at her uncle's place. But was it an accident at all? Not everyone thinks so and so it happens that the case lands with the methodical Inspector French of Scotland Yard. What gruesome secret lies beneath the debris at the Starvel Hollow? (Summary by Yoganandh T)

5Ponson Case

By Freeman Wills Crofts

Where is Sir William? His butler and valet are concerned. He disappeared after dinner and is late retiring to bed. Did Sir William walk over to his son's house, possibly to discuss his unsuitable choice of bride? Or did an argument with a dinner guest from a few evenings ago resurface and turn sinister? Maybe he is apoplectic and they will find him lying dead somewhere? But the truth is far worse. Sir William is found in the river, but it doesn't look as if he drowned. - Summary by LynneT

A railway engineer by training, Freeman Wills Crofts often relied on railway themes for his plots, with careful attention to details and schedules. Having retired from the railway in 1929 to devote himself full time to writing, he is considered part of the golden age of detective fiction, along with Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie. Until his death in 1957, he produced more than 30 novels, short-stories, and plays. In his fifth book in 1924, he introduced the character of Inspector Joseph French, a Scotland Yard detective whose approach to crime was far more workman-like than most other fictional sleuths. In this book, he tells the story of Maxwell Cheyne, who is mysteriously drugged in a country inn and awakens to find that his home has been burgled, although nothing is missing. As Cheyne is pursued by a gang of relentless criminals, Inspector French of Scotland Yard must untangle their mysterious conspiracy. - Summary by ASharma

7Sea Mystery

By Freeman Wills Crofts

During a seemingly innocent fishing trip, a sunken crate with an unidentified body is accidentally discovered. Inspector French must employ his analytical and logical skills to unravel the mystery of a ghastly yet clever crime. Summary by Steven Warner

8Ponson Case (Version 2)

By Freeman Wills Crofts

Sir William Ponson is found dead. His son and his nephew look uneasy to the eyes of Inspector Tanner of Scotland Yard and naturally the diligent Tanner pursues the clues and the notion that these are concerned somehow in the death of Ponson senior. To say that Tanner was sent on a wild goose chase would be an understatement! - Summary by Yoganandh T

Freeman Wills Crofts was part of the golden age of detective fiction, along with the likes of Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. His most famous creation, Inspector Joseph French of Scotland Yard, appeared in more than 30 novels between 1924 and 1957. Fellow golden age author Raymond Chandler described Crofts as "the soundest builder of them all”, and Agatha Christie included a parody of French in a 1929 collection of short stories. In this story, cinema box office cashiers are dying in mysterious circumstances. With few clues and little time, will Inspector French succeed in capturing the Purple Sickle and his confederates before they can claim another victim? - Summary by ASharma