The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story

This is the first book I read by this author. I was so thrilled with it that I promptly sought out the other books in this detective series with Godfrey and Lester in the leading roles. I found that it is hard to figure out the order in which best to read this series. Published in 1903, The Holladay Case A Tale is undoubtedly the first in the series. Published in 1907, That Affair at Elizabeth is actually the second book in regards to storytelling. Published in 1904, The Marathon Mystery (A Story of Manhattan) (Jim Godfrey Book 2) is the third book, although published before the second book. Published in 1911, The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet A Detective Story is the fourth book. Published in 1920, The Gloved Hand is the fifth and last book in the series. I had read all of the above books and was sad to have the journey end, so I decided to read The Destroyer A Tale of International Intrigue which lo and behold is a sort of continuation to The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet A Detective Story as two of the characters introduced in this book are the main two characters in it, although Godfrey and Lester do NOT make an appearance.

This was a great read. I couldn't wait to get back to it every evening. Loved the characters and the victorian type detective. No cellphones or internet. Just good sleuthing. Highly recommend it.

Read it twice - needed to undersand. A mysterious mystery...

Stevenson is brilliant in presenting the mysteries of the Boule cabinet. The twists and turns throughout the story is fascinating. Characters are convincing and smartly designed to keep the reader enraptured. Great novel. Thanks. Ken B

This book is a really fun and entertaining mystery. I enjoyed every minute of it. This author is an exceptional writer and he keeps the reader guessing from beginning to end.

This story centres around the delivery of the wrong antique cabinet, from Paris, to its supposed-purchaser in New York. Philip Vantine is delighted to have temporary custody of the beautiful object however, and intrigued regarding the possibility of secret drawers - for which he pays in horrific manner. There's a touch of the Sherlock Holmes about this - or, more properly, a touch of the Moriarty! This doesn't end happily ever after for ALL the major characters, and if read in context of the times, is an excellent murder mystery - the plot is fantastical by today's standards, but is nonetheless clever, and the characters excellently drawn (even if I did want to kick the estimable Mr. Lester from time to time). Old-fashioned but excellent reading.

The plot was engaging, but some story points were predictable. The mix of characters surrounding the Boule chest got a bit muddied, in particular the unexpected visits to Phillip Vantine's by the veiled woman and the unknown Frenchman. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read a work by the author after only recently learning about him and his accomplishments in a book review

Pretty good story; not hard to read or follow. Two friends try to solve the murder of another friend in a " locked room" scenario, in historical New York. Story moves along quickly and is surprisingly easy to read (the period is more recent than Holmes& Watson's, and doesn't contain much difficult or period-unique slang). Clues are evident for those who want to solve the puzzle, and is a good light read.

I'm such a fan of the older classic mysteries. This was written in 1911 and is a kind of ,"locked room" mystery. A stranger left alone in a room with a Boyle Cabinet dies mysteriously. You know it has to have something to do with that cabinet, but how? And who is the intriguing veiled French woman? The protagonist is a gentleman lawyer who charmingly reflects the manners and mores of that time period. When our lawyer pairs up with a smart , devil may care reporter things get more interesting. I will definitely look for more books by this author.

I enjoyed this mystery it has a really good lead character. I like that it was set in the past but are careful not to give the year.

Recommend I like stories that require you too think ans use your mind. No DNA no finger prints or other modern detective methods. Just plain logic.