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Craig Kennedy, Scientific Detective #9
The Exploits of Elaine
The scientific detective known as the “American Sherlock Holmes” pursues a ruthless arch villain in this high-stakes suspense novel Professor Craig Kennedy and his loyal sidekick, newspaper reporter Walter Jameson, first learn of the Clutching Hand and his gang when they investigate a string of murders involving the policyholders of Taylor Dodge’s insurance company. After receiving a threatening note signed by the arch criminal, Dodge himself is robbed and killed, and his daughter, Elaine, turns to Kennedy for help. Using the latest advances in forensic science, the professor uncovers the exotic and deadly scheme behind the murders. But when the Clutching Hand and his band of evildoers kidnap Elaine, Kennedy must shed his lab coat and leap into action before it’s too late. First appearing in the pages of Cosmopolitan magazine, Craig Kennedy was one of the most popular detectives of the early twentieth century. Arthur B. Reeve also wrote the screenplay for the serial version of The Exploits of Elaine, which starred popular silent film actress Pearl White. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1915
86 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Arthur B. Reeve
187 books7 followersArthur Benjamin Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936) was an American mystery writer. He is best known for creating the series character Professor Craig Kennedy, sometimes called "The American Sherlock Holmes", and Kennedy's Dr. Watson-like sidekick Walter Jameson, a newspaper reporter, in 18 detective novels. The bulk of Reeve's fame is based on the 82 Craig Kennedy stories, published in Cosmopolitan magazine between 1910 and 1918. These were collected in book form; with the third collection, the short stories were stitched together into pseudo-novels. The 12-volume Craig Kennedy Stories were released in 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 28, 2019
If you are a fan of Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie, you will enjoy this book.
Written in 1915, it details the work of Craig Kennedy, master detective, against the fiend called 'The Clutching Hand'. The character Kennedy (in my opinion) s a mix of Poe's C. Auguste Dupin, Sherlock Holmes and Poirot. Our fair haired damsel in distress, Elaine, works to help Kennedy catch this criminal as the Hand killed her father.
The book is well written and enjoyable to read. Although written in 1915, it is surprisingly free of language that would date it. Yes, there are butlers and footmen, but the references add to the overall charm of the book. Our detective works with his test tubes and inventions to keep things 'scientific'.
This was originally a serialized story, now complete in I-book and Kindle. Interestingly enough, in 1936 it was turned into a movie serial and shown in theaters on a weekly basis (screenplay also co-written by Arthur Reeve). Although not old enough to have seen serials in theaters, I am a fan of the genre and have seen this serial. It's a Thursday night thing in my house to watch an episode of a serial. Imagine my delight when I discovered that this book was the introduction to the Hand.
I do have to say that I guessed who the Hand was; out of the available characters it made sense. But it was not too obvious and did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
If you like historical mysteries, you will like this one.
Written in 1915, it details the work of Craig Kennedy, master detective, against the fiend called 'The Clutching Hand'. The character Kennedy (in my opinion) s a mix of Poe's C. Auguste Dupin, Sherlock Holmes and Poirot. Our fair haired damsel in distress, Elaine, works to help Kennedy catch this criminal as the Hand killed her father.
The book is well written and enjoyable to read. Although written in 1915, it is surprisingly free of language that would date it. Yes, there are butlers and footmen, but the references add to the overall charm of the book. Our detective works with his test tubes and inventions to keep things 'scientific'.
This was originally a serialized story, now complete in I-book and Kindle. Interestingly enough, in 1936 it was turned into a movie serial and shown in theaters on a weekly basis (screenplay also co-written by Arthur Reeve). Although not old enough to have seen serials in theaters, I am a fan of the genre and have seen this serial. It's a Thursday night thing in my house to watch an episode of a serial. Imagine my delight when I discovered that this book was the introduction to the Hand.
I do have to say that I guessed who the Hand was; out of the available characters it made sense. But it was not too obvious and did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
If you like historical mysteries, you will like this one.
February 24, 2020
Let me be honest. It was Craig Kennedy's wistful way of falling in love with Elaine that made the book so enjoyable. Without it, the tale lacked any compelling attraction. The real identity of the oh-so-frightening criminal, The Clutching Hand, was obvious to me right from the beginning and the way that Jameson tells the story is not very flattering. I don't like that the narrative swings back and forth between what the "good" guys are doing and what the "bad" guys are up to. It forces Jameson to point out that though you, as the reader, know this piece of information, neither he nor Kennedy even dreamt of it at that moment. 🙄
February 18, 2018
This is the type of book I would characterize as a western before westerns. It is boom boom boom action after action with a thread connecting it all, but really each chapter or scene is just written for the author to show off his set piece. Which in this case is some interesting "futuristic" technology like a death ray or novel new forensic science such as finger printing. Initially, this threw me off and I wasn't enjoying the book. It lacks substance and its only staying power is the clever situations and action bits that each chapter builds toward, its all surface level and predictable. You know that the good guy, Kennedy, is going to swoop in and save the day in the end and the evil man, the Clutching Hand, is going to escape somehow with a fiendish smile. And I started this book under the impression that it was the American Sherlock Holmes, ingenious detective stories with clever reveals at the end.
But it wasn't that, so once I realized this, I actually began to appreciate it for what it was, and in the end, enjoyed it! It is just a fun romp through the criminal underworld where the stakes are not very high for the main characters because you know they will turn out alright and the drama is predictable. And that is okay. In fact, I even started feeling for the characters and became upset when Elaine and Kennedy began having their troubles, so there was some character development there!
One last thing, the mystery/detective style of this book is very interesting in that there is no big reveal for how the crime was carried out. It is not like Sherlock Holmes or Poirot where you wait until the end of the story, guessing all along the way how the events happened, and then the detective explains everything in the big reveal. Instead, Arthur Reeve simultaneously explains the actions of the main good characters and the bad characters. He gives both perspectives. So when the telephone shocks Mr. Dodge and kills him, you are left wondering how that happened for long because within a few paragraphs Reeve will rewind time and explain how the Clutching Hand came in connected wires to the metal he stood on to electrocute him. Everything is explained within a few pages. An interesting stylistic choice! It seems so contrary to the whole detective genre where it seems the biggest draw is often in the speculation and wonder of how the crime was carried out. So I found that interesting.
But it wasn't that, so once I realized this, I actually began to appreciate it for what it was, and in the end, enjoyed it! It is just a fun romp through the criminal underworld where the stakes are not very high for the main characters because you know they will turn out alright and the drama is predictable. And that is okay. In fact, I even started feeling for the characters and became upset when Elaine and Kennedy began having their troubles, so there was some character development there!
One last thing, the mystery/detective style of this book is very interesting in that there is no big reveal for how the crime was carried out. It is not like Sherlock Holmes or Poirot where you wait until the end of the story, guessing all along the way how the events happened, and then the detective explains everything in the big reveal. Instead, Arthur Reeve simultaneously explains the actions of the main good characters and the bad characters. He gives both perspectives. So when the telephone shocks Mr. Dodge and kills him, you are left wondering how that happened for long because within a few paragraphs Reeve will rewind time and explain how the Clutching Hand came in connected wires to the metal he stood on to electrocute him. Everything is explained within a few pages. An interesting stylistic choice! It seems so contrary to the whole detective genre where it seems the biggest draw is often in the speculation and wonder of how the crime was carried out. So I found that interesting.
July 24, 2018
This has much more action than mystery. Normally, I don't like that but did here. There's a criminal mastermind killing people called the Clenched Fist. Elaine's father finds out where this person can be found & gets killed before telling anyone. Elaine is determined to find out who did it & gets Craig Kennedy (a professor) & Walter Jameson (a reporter) to help. As a result, someone tries to kill her in most chapters and tries to kill Craig in others. Elaine is consistently terrorized. You'd think that would make her stay inside and not trust anyone or anything except Craig! I loved hearing about new forensic machines and processes of this time period. When written in 1st person it's done by Walter. However, the story will suddenly change (with no warning) & start talking about other people & what they're currently doing. As a result, you need to always pay attention so you don't get confused.
March 16, 2023
This is a bit difficult to read in long sittings unless you have read a lot of pulp fiction and are used to that rhythm. Because it is a novelization of movie serials, every chapter is somewhat standalone and the tension of the story is relatively flat compared to a novel that is plotted out as a whole.
I enjoyed the scientific detecting, though like many stories from the era it is highly implausible that some of the inventions can be used the way they are in the book without being discovered.
Elaine herself might seem helplessly useless to a modern reader but for the time period I would say she is progressive. Elaine has her own money, she goes about unescorted, and is brave though naive.
Some of the racism might also be off-putting to modern readers, but it is mostly set decoration without malice.
I enjoyed the scientific detecting, though like many stories from the era it is highly implausible that some of the inventions can be used the way they are in the book without being discovered.
Elaine herself might seem helplessly useless to a modern reader but for the time period I would say she is progressive. Elaine has her own money, she goes about unescorted, and is brave though naive.
Some of the racism might also be off-putting to modern readers, but it is mostly set decoration without malice.
November 26, 2019
Free | A Master Criminal without any plan, or motive, and a solution that doesn't fit. | The Clutching Hand was a Master Criminal, except that the only crimes he commits are against Elaine and Kennedy, as revenge for their having bested him in his earlier attacks on them, which in turn he only committed as revenge for their having bested him...etc. And
June 16, 2022
This mystery novel is in the Craig Kennedy series, showcasing a scientific detective. Kennedy is a likeable detective who uses science, as understood in the early twentieth century to solve crimes. Assisted by a newshound who generally gives the narrative, the novel departs from other books in the series by giving third person accounts of the lead foil. It should be noted that Elaine is depicted in a manner consistent with period literature of women at the time of publication. It did not distract from the story noticeably.
January 16, 2018
Cute story
Story line was full of adventure and invention! Walt called his revolver a GATT! Gat was a Thompson SMG! Author reversed gun types revolver and automatic and magazine auto constantly! Took a while but I finally figured out who the villain but failed to figure out what was going to happen! Good read! Girl reminded me of my late wife! I enjoyed the book!☺
Story line was full of adventure and invention! Walt called his revolver a GATT! Gat was a Thompson SMG! Author reversed gun types revolver and automatic and magazine auto constantly! Took a while but I finally figured out who the villain but failed to figure out what was going to happen! Good read! Girl reminded me of my late wife! I enjoyed the book!☺
June 9, 2017
Review
Great story line. I did not like the open ending. Will look for the sequel. Thought Elaine's character was sort of addlepated as she never learned from any of her kidnappings or attacks on her.
Great story line. I did not like the open ending. Will look for the sequel. Thought Elaine's character was sort of addlepated as she never learned from any of her kidnappings or attacks on her.
August 27, 2017
I'm not sure how I felt about this book. Mostly it was good but was sometimes confusing. I was frustrated at Elaine. No matter what happened to her she went back and let something else happen. You would think she would learn after a couple of times but no.... Surely no one can be that naive.
February 4, 2019
A complicated mystery
This book is so filled with interesting discoveries,tools,and new methods of detecting,that it is almost overwhelming. I enjoyed it,it just took a long talk me to read.. A very technical wonder
This book is so filled with interesting discoveries,tools,and new methods of detecting,that it is almost overwhelming. I enjoyed it,it just took a long talk me to read.. A very technical wonder
November 19, 2017
Very mysterious. Well written considering it was published in 1915. A little hokey but good, although Elaine is very gullible and none too bright!
September 3, 2021
"I pity the fool who reads this not knowing it's based a (very) silly flicker serial from 1914!" -Mr. T. (maybe, if he cared enough to comment)
February 20, 2025
Elaine always bites for a con. Nice gadgets
March 5, 2015
This was a rather enjoyable read whereby Elaine employs Kennedy to discover the truth behind the death of her father and to discover the identity of the clutching hand. This read like a mix of Sherlock Holmes meets Dick Tracy. The story seemed to jump from one perilious situation to another reminiscent of the black and white private investigator movies.
The inclusion of the primitive invention of everyday objects we take for granted gave a serious side to the story, however the ending seemed rushed and ever so slightly predictable.
The inclusion of the primitive invention of everyday objects we take for granted gave a serious side to the story, however the ending seemed rushed and ever so slightly predictable.
March 6, 2016
I downloaded this book based on it being compared to the Sherlock Holmes books which are quite enjoyable. That comparison is an insult to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it is poorly written. The heroine is an idiot and the villain quite obvious. Might have been thrilling back in 1915 but total nonsense now.
February 21, 2016
This series is like an American version of Sherlock Holmes. It took me a while to get used to the reader of this LibriVox recording, but I did. It was kind of an amazing series of events, one after another. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this book.
September 20, 2014
Another Craig Kennedy, scientific detective mystery. Here we meet Elaine Dodge who engages the detective's abilities to solve the mystery of her father's death and also to figure out who on earth is "the clutching hand"...
February 4, 2016
Too long
The scenarios were essentially repeated with some variations. The characters were very typical for the erA but the hero was better developed. Would have been better as a novella.
The scenarios were essentially repeated with some variations. The characters were very typical for the erA but the hero was better developed. Would have been better as a novella.
August 20, 2015
Bizarre cornball weirdness.
March 15, 2016
Not up to the level of Sherlock Holmes, but light easy reading. Heroine a little silly, but, to round out an episode in short order, they were done with a fair amount of deduction and action.
March 18, 2016
Too hurried
The same type of things happen over and over. Could have been much shorter. How dumb is Elaine to keep being deceived???
The same type of things happen over and over. Could have been much shorter. How dumb is Elaine to keep being deceived???
March 30, 2017
I made it almost to the end, hoping it would get better, but it only got worse and I finally gave up. This is the first one-star review I've ever given, and this is why: This book is badly written, each chapter is basically a repetition of all the others only with different details, it is extremely sexist and racist, and it is hackneyed and clichéd. The author uses increasingly gory (and totally implausible) scenarios to move the predictable plot along instead of bothering with good writing or storytelling. Frequently excruciating. Ugh.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews