Carolyn Wells's 'The Jingle Book' is a classic whodunit from the golden age of detective fiction. It stars her popular sleuth, Fleming Stone, who's called in when other investigators hit a wall.

The Story

The case starts with Herbert Leroy, a rich man found dead in his own library. There's no obvious weapon or sign of a break-in. The police are stumped. The only thing out of place is a piece of paper with a few lines of childish, rhyming verse—the 'jingle' of the title. Fleming Stone arrives and has to sort through a houseful of suspects: Leroy's new, much younger wife; his resentful nephew; and various servants. Everyone has something to hide, and the silly poem might be the key to a very serious crime.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a gritty, modern thriller. It's a brain-teaser. The fun is in watching Fleming Stone, a calm and observant detective, piece together the truth from small details everyone else misses. The plot relies on alibis, timetables, and subtle clues rather than action. Wells creates a closed-circle mystery where the killer has to be someone in the house, which makes you look at every character differently. It's satisfying to see the logic unfold.

Final Verdict

This book is a treat for fans of classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle. If you enjoy puzzles, clever detectives, and stories where the setting is a grand old house full of secrets, you'll have a great time. It's also a neat slice of early 1900s fiction. Just don't expect car chases—the excitement here is all in the deduction.