An Edgar Allan Poe mystery (series)
Schechter, Harold. Nevermore : A Novel. New York: Pocket Books, 1999.
1st of the Schecter Poe detective series.
This one takes place before Poe married Virginia and before he wrote “The Raven”. Other historical figures include Davy Crockett, and the scathing review Poe, in real life, wrote.
Of all the series this one seems to have the most allusions to Poe’s work.
Poe comes off as highly intelligent. Will not dumb down his conversation for anyone, and will not back down his opinion despite the possibility of getting into a physical fight with Crockett. It is a happier time in Poe’s life that is potrayed.
---. The Hum Bug : A Novel. New York: Pocket Books, 2001.
Second in a series where Poe becomes an unwitting detective. In this story, a young woman is murdered in a grotesque fashion resembling the manner of a wax depiction in P.T. Barnum’s museum. After being accused of inciting the incident, P.T. Barnum, seeks out Poe’s detective skills to solve the murder. Poe, perhaps feeling sympathetic and in fear that in the future he himself might be accused of the same wrong, agrees to help.
The book is written in typical Poe first person. The character demonstrates shrewd logical skills and several other personality traits that Poe must have possessed, but are normally overlooked. Virginia and Muddy play prominent roles.
---. The Mask of Red Death : An Edgar Allan Poe Mystery. 1st ed. New York: Ballantine Books, 2004.
This is the third part in Schechter’s murder mistery series starring Edgar Alan Poe playing detective. In this story, the Red Death, as written by the author, actually refers to real life historical figure John “Liver-Eating” Johnson. He is allegedly the culprit behind a string of ghastly murders in New York where Poe is working at the Broadway Journal. Also joining with Poe in tracking down the killer in this book is another historical figure, Kit Carson.
Poe, as ever with Schecter, is witty and eloquent. P.T. Barnum also appears, having retained his friendship with Poe from Schechter’s 2nd book, The Hum Bug.
---. The Tell-Tale Corpse : An Edgar Allan Poe Mystery. 1st ed. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006.
Starts off with Poe’s drinking. Barnum offers to pay for Virginia’s medical expenses if Poe will go with him to Boston and pick-up some items from an estate after a murder occurred. Poe goes to see a show where they exhibit, among other things, Laughing Gas. The next day one of the participants is found dead. The proprietor of the laughing gas is afraid he will be blames. Poe agrees to help solve the case. The crime appears to get solved early on, but new events keep Poe’s crime solving skills busy.
Features an ill Virginia Poe who’s illness is in remission and appears traveling with Poe in search of a doctor.
Features P.T. Barnum. A young Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women) appears as a fan of Poe. Poe stays in her house along with the rest of the family and Virginia. Henry David Thoreau displaying his narcolepsy and a dear friend of the Alcott family.