More than ten years ago, Robert Lee Hall made a startling discovery. Within a secret compartment of an old armoire once owned by his great aunt, he found a yellowing manuscript describing a series of mysterious criminal cases. What made these stories so unusual was that they were solved by the renowned scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, while he was a resident of London to plead the case of the American colonies before the British crown. Written by Hall's ancestor, Nick Handy, who happened to be Franklin's assistant throughout these adventures, Hall transcribed the tales and presented them in the order of their occurrence. In Benjamin Franklin Takes the Case, the first mystery in Hall's series, the great Doctor Franklin meets the young orphan Nick Handy in the print shop of an old friend. When his friend is suddenly murdered, it is up to Franklin and Nick to prove who was responsible for the grisly deed. Turning detective, Franklin pursues the strange case along the dark byways of London and into its grand houses, uncovering a theft ring, a profitable trade in slaves and prostitutes, and strong reasons to believe that Nick is in grave danger. Employing his keen sense of scientific observation and his inventor's creative mind, the doctor is able to solve a case that the constables had thought would be impossible to break.

About the Author
Robert Lee Hall is the author of Exit Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detectives Final Days, Murder at San Simeon, and Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder, this last available from Pine Street Books.

Reviews
"Hall portrays the flavor and atmosphere of eighteenth-century London with artful and consistent mastery. A totally involving work."-Library Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9780812217896
Author Robert Lee Hall
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Pine Street Books
Publisher University of Pennsylvania Press