Noted for such science books as Darwin’s Orchestra
and Adam’s Navel
, Sims has compiled a thoroughly enjoyable anthology of what he calls caper stories from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Notable authors include Raffles’s creator E.W. Hornung (“Nine Points of the Law”), as well as names not usually associated with the crime genre like Sinclair Lewis (“The Willow Walk”) and Arnold Bennett (“A Comedy on the Gold Coast”). All 12 tales are classics—suspenseful, humorous and charming. One can only hope for a sequel that will include a couple of curious omissions, namely Maurice Leblanc, of Arsène Lupin fame, and R. Austin Freeman, creator of art forger Danby Croker. (Apr.)
