Diagnosis: Impossible--The Problems of Dr. Sam Hawthorne [Paperback]

Edward D. Hoch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1996

Impossible crimes -- locked rooms, sealed time capsules, the vanishing of a horse and buggy from within a covered bridge -- by a master of the fairplay detective story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Diagnosis: Impossible is as good a single author collection as we have had in deacdes. -- Deadly Pleasures, Fall 1996

If there was ever a short-story detective who deserved the permanence of book form, it's this New England doctor. -- Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazaine, May 1996

If you haevn't read any of the Dr. Hawthorne stories, don't miss this opportunity... -- I Love a Mystery, August 1996

About the Author

John Dickson Carr said of Edward D. Hoch, "Satan himself would be proud of his ingenuity." A master storyteller, Hoch is former President of the Mystery Writers of America, the recipient of an Edgar in the short-story category, and today's major exponent of the challenge-to-the-reader detective story. Diagnosis: Impossible is the finest collection of impossible crime stories since the work of John Dickson Carr—or perhaps even of Satan himself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 203 pages
• Publisher: Crippen & Landru Publishers; 1 edition (February 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885941021
• ISBN-13: 978-1885941022
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #962,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing is impossible!, March 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Diagnosis: Impossible--The Problems of Dr. Sam Hawthorne (Paperback)

Fans of impossible crimes and locked room mysteries will love this book. How can a horse and carriage vanish from inside a covered bridge? How can a master criminal escape from a locked cell? How can a man be stabbed while alone in a voting booth? Get this book and find out the answers to these and nine other ingenious puzzlers from the great Edward D. Hoch, the reigning king of impossible crimes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great collection of mystery's short story king., January 25, 2005

By 

Enrique F. Bird (San Juan, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diagnosis: Impossible--The Problems of Dr. Sam Hawthorne (Paperback)

The undoubted king of the classical detective/mystery short story must be Edward D. Hoch. This book collects the first stories of one of his greatest sleuths, Dr. Sam Hawthorne. Mostly about all type of impossible crimes (locked rooms, vanishings, invisibility, etc.), these stories are set in New England in the 1920s - the 30s and 40s will follow in future collections. Do not miss this one - and be watchful for collection #2 from the incomparable editors of this one, Crippen and Landru. The new one should appear in 2005.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great short story writer., February 15, 2002

By 

L rodolfo molina B (GUATEMALA, GUATEMALA Guatemala) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diagnosis: Impossible--The Problems of Dr. Sam Hawthorne (Paperback)

HOCH is one of the last great short story tellers. His formula is great imagination and a good mystery. This is one of the better introductions to his work, specially since the good Doctor is my favorite caracther of all his input. READ IT!!!!!!