Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
49 Tales of The Thinking Machine - Enriched edition 49 detective cases of Professor Augustus S F X Van Dusen known as "The Thinking Machine" - cover

49 Tales of The Thinking Machine - Enriched edition 49 detective cases of Professor Augustus S F X Van Dusen known as "The Thinking Machine"

Jacques Futrelle

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "49 Tales of The Thinking Machine," Jacques Futrelle masterfully intertwines the realms of technology and mystery, offering a collection of short stories featuring the brilliant detective contraption known as the Thinking Machine. Combining elements of detective fiction with early speculative themes, Futrelle's prose is marked by precision and an engaging style that mirrors the analytical prowess of his protagonist. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, an era ripe for technological innovation and skepticism, the tales explore the intersection of human intelligence and mechanized reasoning, prompting readers to reflect on the potential and limitations of artificial intellect. Jacques Futrelle, a pioneer of early science fiction and mystery genres, was profoundly influenced by the technological advancements of his time. His professional background as a newspaper editor and his fascination with the burgeoning field of engineering fueled his imagination, allowing him to envision a world where machines could think and solve complex puzzles better than humans. Futrelle's contribution to literature has been recognized as foundational in shaping the detective genre, paving the way for future explorations into artificial intelligence and crime solving. "49 Tales of The Thinking Machine" is highly recommended for readers fascinated by the evolution of detective fiction, as well as those intrigued by the implications of technology in human life. It serves not only as a delightful romp through clever narratives but also as a profound commentary on the relationship between man and machine. A must-read for enthusiasts of mystery and science fiction alike.

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Available since: 01/01/2024.
Print length: 370 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Cursed Writer - A BRILLIANT historical cozy mystery perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes! - cover

    The Cursed Writer - A BRILLIANT...

    Holly Hepburn

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Meet Harriet White, Sherlock Holmes' feisty – and entirely fake – assistant, in this gloriously new take on one of Sherlock's most famous cases, perfect for fans of Anita Prose, Verity Bright and Janice Hallett. 
    'When did you become aware something was wrong?’ 
    ‘...When the screaming began…’ 
    Harriet White is no stranger to odd correspondence. At her desk in the Baker Street building society, her job is to reply to the mail they receive on behalf of Sherlock Holmes. 
    But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip St John, her interest is piqued. The writer describes St John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound. 
    Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridgeshire under the guise of being Holmes’ assistant. The residents of Thurmwell Manor believe their master is cursed. Harry is sure there must be a logical explanation, but inside the echoey halls of the grand gothic house, her confidence in science and reason begin to crumble… 
    Can Harry solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim? 
    Join Harriet White in 1930's London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett.Readers LOVE the Baker Street Mysteries: 
    ‘Honestly I couldn’t find one bad thing to say about this book! I’m a new fan for sure!’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘The Missing Maid is a delightful book. I loved Harry. She’s warm, funny, sassy and brave. I’m very much looking forward to reading what Holly brings us next in this series.’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘This is such a clever idea for a cozy mystery series! I love Harry and the twisty plot of this book. Can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘I really enjoyed this cozy mystery because it is at the intersection between cozy mystery and historical fiction and it is simply brilliant. Hepburn weaves a strong plotline and Harry shines throughout. A real pleasure to read.’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘I am definitely a Sherlock Holmes fan, so the premise of this story got my attention immediately, but it was the writing, characters and the new story perspective that firmly held it.’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘I loved everything about this historical cozy. Harry is a wonderful character. She's clever, independent and kind. The mystery of the missing maid kept me entertained throughout. The pacey drama and easy-to-read style meant that I devoured this book in one day.’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘This was my first exposure to the agile and creative scribblings of Holly Hepburn and I found her writing style to be smooth, immersive, and easy to follow, with issues and scenarios true to the period. I adored her conjured characters and look forward to more of these adventures.’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘The witty and whip-smart novel is refreshing and fabulous. Talk about an excellent start to a new series, one I genuinely look forward to. Holmes' fans especially ought to enjoy this. Loved the story and the characters with a few unexpected bumps along the way. Loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
    ‘I absolutely loved this exciting and entertaining debut into cozy crime from a favourite author. I hope this is the start of a series and can’t wait to see what Harry gets up to next!’ Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Show book
  • You Better Run - cover

    You Better Run

    Willow Rose

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    The beach read of the summer! When 19-year-old Meg Briggs wakes up after having a crazy party with her friends, she finds a girl in the pool. Dead. Who is this girl? How did she end up in the pool? Was she even at the party? Even more strange is when they pull her out of the water, Meg realizes the girl looks very familiar. As a matter of fact, she looks just like her. Like an identical twin. But Meg has no twin, at least none that she knows of, and no one at the party knows this girl or can say where she is from. What is Meg’s mom hiding from her? FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas is caught in distress at home with her children and between the two men in her life when she is asked to help out on the case. Who killed Meg’s identical twin and why? And where did she come from? As Eva Rae Thomas digs deeper into the story, she can barely believe the revealed secrets, secrets so cruel that someone is ready to go to great lengths to keep them hidden.
    Show book
  • The Sailor - cover

    The Sailor

    John Hagen

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Arrested for murder following an operation, the Chief of Surgery, at a community hospital is convinced someone is trying to destroy him and will not stop until he is eliminated.
    Show book
  • The Brampton Witch Murders - cover

    The Brampton Witch Murders

    Ellis Blackwood

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    A gripping 17th-century cozy historical mystery 
    Can Samuel Pepys save his sister from the hangman’s noose? 
    As the inferno of the Great Fire devours London in 1666, another firestorm rages in the tranquil village of Brampton, where Pepys’s sister, Paulina, stands accused of witchcraft. 
    Pepys summons his inquisitors, Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish, plunging them into the heart of the witch-hunt. Can Abigail, Pepys’s astute housemaid, and Jacob, his awkward yet eager protégé, unravel a web of whispers, gossip and lies to clear Paulina’s name? 
    Racing against time, Abigail and Jacob must confront a formidable adversary: Simon Hopkins, son of the infamous Witchfinder General. Possessed by his father’s Puritan zeal, he will stop at nothing to prove Paulina’s sorcery and send her to the gallows. 
    To the pious folk of Brampton, the options are stark. Witch or not? Life or death? 
    The Samuel Pepys Mysteries bring 17th century England vividly to life, in the company of the celebrated diarist himself, and his personal inquisitors, Abby and Jacob. If you love your cozy mysteries wrapped in history, this series is for you. 
    Enter a world of hidden secrets and whodunits you'll never want to leave...
    Show book
  • Hostage - A Steamy Romantic Suspense Thriller - cover

    Hostage - A Steamy Romantic...

    Simone Leigh

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    She Was Taken. 
    Her Master… Her Lover… Her Father… 
    They know why… 
    They know how. 
    They know who… 
    They know where she is… 
    They’re coming for her… 
    And for them… 
    An Erotic Romance and Thriller 
    Total Playtime Approx 3 hours 40 minutesReviews From The E-Book 
    5 Stars: “OMG!!! Loved it. This series is always outstanding, the action, survival, family. Heroes and love...” Shiftybugger (Bookbub) 
    5 Stars: “Another winner! Simone does it again! This series is so very addictive!!! Charlotte is again in need of rescue and the men in her life, even her father certainly know how to pull out all the stops to rescue her! This instalment contains all the emotions you can think of, tension, love, suspense, surprises, and many others. Another one you can't put down!” Gloria (Goodreads) 
    5 Stars: “Hostage is spellbinding! This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and you will not be able to put it down...” Ashley (Goodreads) 
    5 Stars: “Imaginative, brilliant episode. 10 STARS. Simone, you are an absolute master of erotic/romantic action-packed thrillers. May your imagination never run dry… This episode is full of nail-biting action, yet romance, hot sex, love, suffering, revenge, anger, humanity and all other sentiments one can think of are expertly described... I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. … I am sure I forgot to breathe at times...” jfsil1011 (Bookbub)
    Show book
  • Nowhere Close (A Harley Cole FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 12) - cover

    Nowhere Close (A Harley Cole FBI...

    Kate Bold

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    This recording has been digitally produced by Kate Bold, using a synthesized version of an audiobook narrator’s voice under license. When modern-day murders transpire at archeological dig sites, FBI Agent Harley Cole must untangle a killer's ancient vendetta. With each clue buried deeper than the last, will Harley solve the cryptic puzzle, or become history herself?
    
    “This is an excellent book… When you start reading, be sure you don’t have to wake up early!”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    NOWHERE CLOSE is book #12 in a new series by #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Kate Bold, whose bestseller NOT NOW (a free download) has received over 600 five star ratings and reviews.
    
    A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the HARLEY COLE series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.
    
    Future books in the series will soon be available!
    
    “This book moved very fast and every page was exciting. Plenty of dialogue, you absolutely love the characters, and you were rooting for the good guy throughout the whole story… I look forward to reading the next in the series.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Kate did an amazing job on this book and I was hooked from the first chapter!”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “I really enjoyed this book. The characters were authentic, and I see the bad guys as something we hear about daily on the news... Looking forward to book 2.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “This was a really good book. The main characters were real, flawed and human. The story went along quickly and wasn't mired in too many unnecessary details. I really enjoyed it.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Alexa Chase is headstrong, impatient, but most of all brave with a capital B. She never, repeat never, backs down until the bad guys are put where they belong. Clearly five stars!”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Captivating and riveting serial murder with a twist of the macabre… Very well done.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “WOW what a great read! Talk about a diabolical killer! Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading others by this author as well.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Page turner for sure. Great characters and relationships. I got into the middle of this story and couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more from Kate Bold.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Hard to put down. It has an excellent plot and has the right amount of suspense. I really enjoyed this book.”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    
    “Extremely well written, and well worth buying and reading. I can't wait to read book two!”
    —Reader review for The Killing Game
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Show book