Showing results by author "Israel Zangwill" in All Categories

The first in a new series of classic detective stories from the vaults of HarperCollins is the world’s first locked-room mystery, a seemingly impossible crime story as powerful as any that have copied the scenario since. “The Detective Story Club”, launched by Collins in 1929, was a...

In this wide-ranging collection our authors look at every facet and detail of theatre life. From the worries and lives of the actors to what can happen when a theatre is the prime location on which the story depends, be it comedy, theft, the bizarre and even murder.

Dive into a collection of captivating stories by Israel Zangwill that blend humor and tragedy in delightful ways. Renowned for his sharp and insightful depictions of the Jewish ghetto, Zangwills narratives extend beyond their locale, cleverly critiquing social norms and the fabric of society, both high and low. Experience a world where the real and the fantastical intertwine, featuring a pantomime dragon, an impeccable butler, a man living life out of sequence, and a Jewish maiden who values herself highly. With keen observations and original wit, the satire is both biting and sparkling. Many ...

Welcome to the Bachelors Club, an exclusive haven for Londons most discerning unmarried men. Each member has passed a rigorous background check, ensuring they not only remain single but also embrace a fervent belief that marriage is an unjust burden imposed on women. As we delve into their stories, we uncover profound insights into their convictions and pasts, along with thought-provoking reflections on life and society in 1890—echoes of which resonate remarkably with our own time. Summary by Keith Salis

Set in Bow, East London, a widow named Mrs Drabdump is left panicking after she fails to wake one of her lodgers. In distress and unable to open the lodger’s locked door, she seeks the help of her neighbour, ex-detective George Grodman, who eventually forces his way inside the room. What lay before them, however, was a shockingly gruesome sight: the lodger, with his throat slashed. But how could this be, with the door and windows locked?

In a delightful clash of intellect and creativity, 17-year-old Lillie, a fiercely independent spirit, establishes the Old Maids Club, vowing never to marry. With the patient Lord Silverdale by her side, who offers his poetic insights while observing the antics of these young women, the club becomes a haven for those who are young, beautiful, and committed to remaining so while having turned down at least one marriage proposal. The humorous and heartfelt stories shared by the club members weave a rich tapestry of their experiences and aspirations. (Summary by TriciaG)

Israel Zangwill was born in London on 21st January 1864, to a family of Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. His writing earned him the sobriquet ‘the Dickens of the Ghetto’ primarily based on his much-lauded novel Children of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar People in 1892 and its glimpse of the poverty-stricken life in London's Jewish quarter.

The Big Bow Mystery is a masterpiece of the form, as compelling a story today as when it was first published. The author has produced a seminal crime novel - the original "locked room" mystery. With a flair for storytelling and a literate style comparable to his contemporary, Charles Dickens, Israel Zangwill concocts a heady satire of Victorian England, setting his scene in London's picturesque Bow district.

'The Red Mark' tells the tale of Bloomah Beckenstein, whose family's many demands on her continually prevent her from getting to school on time. Week after week her lateness prevents her class from winning the attendance prize. But Bloomah is determined that her class should win the prize and have the honour of displaying the school banner on the classroom wall for a week. By Thursday it seems as if nothing can go wrong...but then a postcard arrives....

On a chilling, foggy night in London, a baffling murder takes place. A man is brutally killed in his locked and bolted bedroom, leaving Scotland Yard at a loss. However, as Inspector Grodman insists, this seemingly unsolvable case hides a sublimely simple solution. Dive into this early “locked room” mystery tale, filled with an abundance of clues and a shocking finale that will have detective fiction enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Beyond the suspense, The Big Bow Mystery also presents a satirical depiction of late Victorian society. (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)

Love. Perhaps the one word solution for everything. An emotion, a state of mind that we strive for, search for. A wondrous force that binds, inspires, and a force that can spin out of control; unbalanced and fragile. Love reflects, changes and embraces us all. In this series we explore the many facets of love through literary talents that span both time and country.