Call Mr. Fortune

In Short

This book is a compilation of mystery cases featuring Mr. Reginald Fortune, a medical expert with a penchant for high-end dining, horticulture, and forensic deduction. Whether navigating the complexities of aristocratic murders or exposing the rot within prestigious households, Fortune relies on his keen ability to see through social facades. He operates with a quiet, seemingly effortless confidence that often irritates his peers in the police force. These stories have endured because they present a unique, character-driven style of detection that prioritizes psychological insight over simple procedural action.

The Story

The collection opens with the arrival of the Archduke of Bohemia, whose brother lies near death following a suspicious incident involving a hatpin. Reginald Fortune, recently left in charge of his father’s medical practice, is quickly drawn into the orbit of high-stakes intrigue. As he investigates, the Archduke’s own erratic behavior and a series of lethal accidents lead Fortune to uncover a web of political desperation and family malice. Fortune maneuvers through these dangerous waters with a mixture of patience and tactical misdirection, eventually forcing the culprit into a fatal error.

As the cases progress, Fortune finds himself entangled in increasingly intimate tragedies. In the "Birdie Bolton" case, he deals with the aftermath of a murder in a quiet, ivy-covered home, uncovering the hidden lives of seemingly ordinary residents. He exposes the fragility of reputation and the underlying violence that can fester in well-to-do suburbs. Similarly, in his investigation into the affairs of the Charlecote family, Fortune must look past the grief of a son and the angelic exterior of his daughter-in-law to find the truth behind an aging patriarch’s brutal death.

Fortune’s investigations also take him into the world of industrial power and high finance. He encounters the influential Horace Kimball, a man whose bluff, genial facade hides a terrifying capacity for vengeance. Through a series of confrontations—some involving the subtle use of evidence like cocaine residue or specific, telling details about a suspect’s movements—Fortune peels away the layers of a long-standing vendetta. He realizes that behind the public face of business success lies a man driven by a singular, destructive hate, one that has reached out to ruin generations of the same family.

The arc culminates in scenarios where Fortune must balance his professional duty to the law with his own moral compass. Whether he is dealing with a school-room scandal, the mysterious disappearance of a man known by multiple names, or the complex, often contradictory motivations of those who believe themselves untouchable, he remains a consistent force of nature. By the end of each case, the truth is laid bare—not through grand theatrical reveals, but through the patient, often dryly humorous application of science and human understanding. Fortune does not seek glory; he seeks the resolution of the puzzle, often leaving his colleagues to grapple with the emotional fallout of the crimes he has solved.

How It Unfolds

The initial challenge Fortune finds himself thrust into a high-stakes case involving an injured Archduke, where he must navigate the deception of royalty and the immediate threat of further violence. He maintains a veneer of calm, using his medical expertise to assess the situation while others panic.

The gathering of clues In subsequent cases, Fortune moves through different social strata, from quiet, leafy suburbs to bustling city streets. He observes details that others ignore—the type of match used, the specific condition of roses in a garden, or the subtle hesitation in a suspect’s voice.

The confrontation of suspects Fortune repeatedly engages in tense, often cat-and-mouse conversations with those he suspects. He uses his seemingly aimless, polite demeanor to lower their defenses, only to strike with a pointed observation or a direct question that forces a reaction.

The final resolution Each case concludes with the systematic dismantling of a suspect's alibi or motive. Fortune often orchestrates the final act, ensuring the truth is exposed, frequently while sharing a meal or an iris-growing tip with the frustrated police officials he is assisting.

The People

Reginald Fortune is the central figure, defined by his perpetual appetite, his love for fine food and flowers, and an intellect that is both precise and unbothered by social conventions. He wants only the truth, but he refuses to perform the role of a traditional detective, preferring to let his results speak for themselves.

Lomas, the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, serves as a foil to Fortune. He is intelligent and professional, yet often finds himself bewildered by the complexities of the cases and the unorthodox methods Fortune employs. He relies on Fortune's "best brains," even as he struggles to maintain his own dignity amidst the chaos.

Superintendent Bell and various other police officials represent the rigid, standard approach to justice. They want clear, actionable facts and are frequently frustrated by Fortune’s refusal to follow standard procedures, yet they respect his efficacy and eventually defer to his guidance.

Various suspects, including figures like the Archduke and the Rt. Hon. Horace Kimball, represent the darker side of the social order. They are often characterized by their attempts to maintain a mask of respectability or power, which Fortune systematically strips away. They evolve from seemingly innocent or powerful individuals into exposed, flawed human beings once their secrets are unearthed.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the nature of his work and his public reputation:

"There is nothing which he knew profoundly, but hardly anything of which he did not know enough to find his way about in it."

Reflecting on the often grim nature of his profession:

"Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not the goal."

Addressing the importance of food in his life:

"Strength is what we need. Strength without somnolence."

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the tension between public reputation and private truth. It investigates how power, whether regal or financial, can be used to construct elaborate facades that hide deep-seated malice and moral decay. Fortune serves as the instrument of reality, stripping away the artificiality of the class system to reveal the raw, often ugly motivations underneath. The stories ask whether a "respectable" life is anything more than a well-maintained lie and suggest that the most dangerous individuals are often those who feel entitled to destroy others to satisfy their personal, and often irrational, grievances.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy a detective story that prizes atmosphere, psychological depth, and a protagonist who doesn't feel the need to be the "hero" in the traditional sense will find much to admire. Fortune is a refreshing change from the hyper-serious detectives of modern fiction; his love for trivialities—iris cultivation, musical comedy, and good claret—makes his ability to solve brutal crimes feel all the more unsettling and effective.

However, readers should be prepared for the stylistic quirks of the era. The prose is dense, occasionally favoring the social conventions of the early 20th century, and the dialogue can be clipped and indirect, requiring a reader to pay close attention to the subtext. Some of the period-specific attitudes and prejudices regarding class and gender are present, as they were in the time the book was written. For those who appreciate a slow, deliberate build and a detective who hides his genius behind a facade of pleasant indifference, these cases offer a rewarding and distinct reading experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.