Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers is a classic mystery novel involving a Duke accused of murder. Delve into the intricate plot, complex characters, and clever clues that make this a must-read for fans of the genre.

The friends of Mr. Sherlock Holmes will be glad to learn that he is still alive and well, though somewhat crippled by occasional attacks of rheumatism. He has, for many years, lived in a small farm upon the Downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is divided between philosophy and agriculture. During this period of rest he has refused the most princely offers to take up various cases, having determined that his retirement was a permanent one…

The book is made up of 11 short stories starring Hercule Poirot and narrated by his ever faithful companion, Hastings. They are cases of the most diverse types: robberies, kidnappings and murders that Poirot solves with some ease, always using his formidable “gray cells”. In several of the stories, Japp, the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, also participates as a narrator.

THE LEATHER FUNNEL My friend, Lionel Dacre, lived in the Avenue de Wagram, Paris. His house was that small one, with the iron railings and grass plot in front of it, on the left-hand side as you pass down from the Arc de Triomphe. I fancy that it had been there long before the avenue was constructed, for the grey tiles were stained with lichens, and the walls were mildewed and discoloured with age. It looked a small house from the street, five windows in front, if I remember right, but it deepened into a single long chamber at the back. It was here that Dacre had that singular library of occult literature, and the fantastic curiosities which served as a hobby for himself, and an amusement for his friends.

The Castle of Otranto tells the story of Prince Manfred and his family, which includes his wife Hippolita and his children Conrad and Matilda. It purported to be a translation of an Italian story of the time of the crusades. In it Walpole attempted to blend the two kinds of romance: the ancient and the modern. Crammed with invention, entertainment, terror, and pathos, the novel was an immediate success and created the literary genre of Gothic literature.

The Crystal Stopper is the fifth book in the Arsène Lupin series by Maurice Leblanc. During a burglary at the home of Deputy Daubers a crime is committed, and two accomplices of Arsène Lupin are arrested by the police. One is guilty of the crime, the other innocent but both will be sentenced to death. Lupin seeks to deliver the victim of a miscarriage of justice, but struggles against Deputy Dauber’s ruthless blackmailer, who has an incriminating document hidden in a crystal stopper.

The Grand Babylon Hotel is an exclusive London establishment, and American millionaire Theodore Racksole, visiting the hotel with his spirited 23-year-old daughter Nella, decides to buy the place. What he hasn’t counted on is having to deal with a criminal conspiracy whose purposes are not at all clear, and events take an unexpected turn as Theodore and Nella play detective. Replete with evil villains, physical dangers, and secret passages, The Grand Babylon Hotel is a mesmerizing thriller that will be enjoyed by mystery lovers everywhere.

The Hardys are tricked into the house by cries for help, and are trapped for a short time in the attic; meanwhile, their telescope and motorcycles are damaged, possibly by the smugglers. They observe a man boating on Barmet Bay being chased by another motorboat. After his boat explodes in flames, Biff and Joe swim out while Frank and Chet get a rowboat to rescue the man. Once brought to shore, the man regains consciousness and says his name is Mr. Jones, which the Hardys believe to be a thinly-disguised alias.

The Maltese Falcon is a classic of noir literature that will immerse you in a labyrinth of intrigue and deception, where a cunning detective faces a ruthless search for a valuable statuette. With themes of greed, betrayal, and morality in a dark world, The Maltese Falcon explores the fragility of human nature and the limits of loyalty in a plot full of surprising twists

The Man Who Knew Too Much and other stories (1922) is a book of detective stories by English writer G. K. Chesterton, published in 1922. Eight stories recount the adventures of Horne Fisher, a socialite who uses his powerful deductive gifts to investigate crimes committed on the sprawling country estates of the aristocracy. Evocative portraits of pre–World War I Britain.