The blue scarab
Seven cases for Dr. John Thorndyke, the medical jurist whose method is to notice everything and to know a surprising amount about Egyptian antiquities, metallurgy and tide tables. In the title story a stolen deed box and a fire in an outbuilding lead to an ancient scarab; others involve footprints in the snow, a sphinx in New Jersey, a touchstone, stolen ingots and a funeral pyre. R. Austin Freeman published the collection in 1923, with his narrator Jervis watching the great man work. Freeman was himself a doctor, and his stories were admired by contemporaries for playing scrupulously fair with the reader about physical evidence. The stories are available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first one is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The blue scarab
The blue scarab by R. Austin Freeman can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The blue scarab online?
Yes. The blue scarab opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The blue scarab free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The blue scarab is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The blue scarab in the public domain?
Yes. The blue scarab by R. Austin Freeman is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The blue scarab?
About 4 h 28 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The blue scarab?
The blue scarab by R. Austin Freeman is filed under "Mystery" in the Vinteuil library.
