How to Be a Blind Detective: The Secrets of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how a blind person can be a detective? How can they find clues, follow suspects, and catch criminals without seeing them? If you have, you might be interested in reading Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah, a collection of stories featuring one of the most unusual and fascinating detectives in literature.

Max Carrados is a wealthy and cultured gentleman who lost his sight in an accident when he was young. He did not let his blindness stop him from living a full and adventurous life. He developed his other senses to such a degree that he could perceive things that most people would miss. He also learned various skills and techniques that enabled him to overcome his disability and cope with any situation. He became a master of disguise, a skilled fighter, a brilliant conversationalist, and a keen observer of human nature.

He also became a detective, using his talents and resources to help his friends and acquaintances solve mysteries and crimes. He often worked with his friend Louis Carlyle, a private investigator who admired and respected him. He also had a loyal servant named Parkinson, who assisted him in his investigations and adventures.

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of 25 short stories that were published between 1914 and 1934. The stories are set in England during the early 20th century, and they cover a wide range of topics and genres, from comedy to horror, from romance to espionage. The stories are full of humor, suspense, action, and surprises. They also explore various themes, such as justice, morality, friendship, love, courage, and loyalty.

In this article, we will explore the secrets of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah, and how he became one of the most popular and influential detectives in fiction. We will also look at some tips and tricks on how to be a blind detective yourself, or at least improve your own senses and skills.

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Summary of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah

The stories of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah are divided into four collections:

• Max Carrados (1914): This is the first collection of stories that introduced the character of Max Carrados to the public. It contains eight stories that showcase his abilities and personality. Some of the stories are:
  • The Coin of Dionysius: This is the first story that features Max Carrados. It tells how he met Louis Carlyle, who came to him for help in identifying a rare coin that turned out to be part of a robbery scheme.
  • The Knight’s Cross Signal Problem: This is a story that involves a train accident that was caused by sabotage. Max Carrados uses his hearing and deduction skills to find out who was behind it and why.
  • The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage: This is a story that involves a murder that was disguised as a suicide. Max Carrados uses his sense of smell and touch to find out who did it and how.
  • The Last Exploit of Harry the Actor: This is a story that involves a daring robbery that was committed by a master thief who was an old acquaintance of Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his knowledge of human nature and disguise to catch him.

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• The Eyes of Max Carrados (1923): This is the second collection of stories that features Max Carrados. It contains eight stories that show his versatility and creativity. Some of the stories are:
  • The Disappearance of Marie Severe: This is a story that involves the kidnapping of a famous actress who was also the lover of Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his intuition and courage to rescue her from her captors.
  • The Mystery of the Vanished Petition Crown: This is a story that involves the theft of a valuable coin that belonged to Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his memory and logic to find out who stole it and where it was hidden.
  • The Secret of Headlam Height: This is a story that involves the murder of an eccentric millionaire who was also the cousin of Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his sense of taste and humor to find out who killed him and why.
  • The Ingenious Mr Spinola: This is a story that involves the espionage activities of a foreign agent who was also an old enemy of Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his wit and cunning to foil his plans and expose him.
• The Bravo of London (1934): This is the third collection of stories that features Max Carrados. It contains a single novel-length story that is considered to be his most ambitious and complex case. It involves a series of murders that were committed by a mysterious criminal who called himself “The Bravo of London”. Max Carrados uses his intelligence and resourcefulness to unravel his identity and motive.
• The Specimen Case (1936): This is the fourth and final collection of stories that features Max Carrados. It contains eight stories that were published posthumously after the death of Ernest Bramah. They are mostly unfinished or incomplete, but they still show the charm and skill of Max Carrados. Some of the stories are:
  • The Curious Circumstances of the Two Left Shoes: This is a story that involves a pair of shoes that were found in a strange place and belonged to a missing person. Max Carrados uses his sense of touch and deduction to find out what happened to him.
  • The Game Played in the Dark: This is a story that involves a chess match that was played in the dark between Max Carrados and a blind chess master. Max Carrados uses his sense of hearing and strategy to win the game.
  • The Missing Actress Sensation: This is a story that involves the disappearance of a famous actress who was also the friend of Max Carrados. Max Carrados uses his sense of smell and intuition to find out where she was and why she left.
  • The Bunch of Violets: This is a story that involves a bunch of violets that were sent to Max Carrados by an unknown person. Max Carrados uses his sense of sight and imagination to find out who sent them and what they meant.

Analysis of Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of stories that uses humor and irony to convey a serious message about the power and potential of the human mind and spirit. The stories show how Max Carrados, despite being blind, can see more than most people who have sight. He can see beyond the surface, beyond the obvious, beyond the conventional. He can see the truth, the beauty, and the mystery of life.

Max Carrados is not only a detective, he is also a philosopher, a poet, a scholar, and a gentleman. He is not only interested in solving crimes, he is also interested in understanding people, cultures, history, and art. He is not only skilled in fighting, he is also skilled in conversing, persuading, charming, and entertaining. He is not only rich in money, he is also rich in knowledge, experience, and friends.

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is also a series of stories that reflects the social and historical context of its time. The stories are set in England during the early 20th century, a period marked by rapid changes, conflicts, and challenges. The stories deal with issues such as class, gender, race, religion, politics, war, crime, science, technology, and culture. The stories also pay homage to other literary works and genres, such as Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Oscar Wilde, etc.

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of stories that has influenced and inspired many other writers and creators in the field of detective fiction and beyond. Some of them are:

• Agatha Christie: The famous author of mystery novels who created Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She admired Ernest Bramah’s style and humor, and borrowed some of his ideas and techniques for her own stories.
• Jorge Luis Borges: The renowned Argentine writer who wrote essays, poems, and stories that explored metaphysical and philosophical themes. He praised Ernest Bramah’s imagination and originality, and included him in his list of favorite authors.
• Neil Gaiman: The acclaimed British author who wrote novels, comics, and scripts that blended fantasy, horror, and humor. He acknowledged Ernest Bramah’s influence on his work, especially on his character Matthew the Raven from The Sandman series.

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FAQs

Q: What is Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah about?

A: Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of stories about a blind detective who uses his extraordinary senses and skills to solve mysteries and crimes.

Q: When was Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah published?

A: Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah was published between 1914 and 1936 in four collections: Max Carrados, The Eyes of Max Carrados, The Bravo of London, and The Specimen Case.

Q: Who is Ernest Bramah?

A: Ernest Bramah was a British author who wrote novels, short stories, essays, and poems. He was born in 1868 and died in 1942. He is best known for creating Max Carrados and Kai Lung, a Chinese storyteller.

Q: What are some other works by Ernest Bramah?

A: Some other works by Ernest Bramah are:

• The Wallet of Kai Lung (1900), a collection of stories featuring Kai Lung, a Chinese storyteller who uses his wit and wisdom to overcome various challenges.
• The Mirror of Kong Ho (1905), a collection of letters written by Kong Ho, a Chinese traveler who visits England and comments on its culture and customs.
• The Secret of the League (1907), a novel that depicts a dystopian future where a socialist revolution has taken over Britain.
• The Moon of Much Gladness (1932), a novel that follows the adventures of Kai Lung and his wife Hwa-Mei in China.

Conclusion

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of stories that showcases the power and potential of the human mind and spirit. It shows how a blind person can be a detective, a philosopher, a poet, and a gentleman. It shows how he can see more than most people who have sight. It shows how he can overcome his disability and cope with any situation.

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is also a series of stories that reflects the social and historical context of its time. It deals with issues such as class, gender, race, religion, politics, war, crime, science, technology, and culture. It pays homage to other literary works and genres, such as Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Oscar Wilde, etc.

Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah is a series of stories that has influenced and inspired many other writers and creators in the field of detective fiction and beyond. Some of them are Agatha Christie, Jorge Luis Borges, Neil Gaiman, Stan Lee, etc.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something from it. If you did, please share it with your friends and family. And if you have any comments or questions, please let us know. We would love to hear from you!

Thank you for reading! 😊

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