Call Mr. Fortune

Step into the intricate world of Reggie Fortune, H. C. Bailey's pioneering medical detective, in this debut collection of short stories. Fortune, a brilliant surgeon with an uncanny knack for observation and an "unequaled sanity of judgment," navigates a labyrinth of early 20th-century mysteries. From a seemingly failed assassination attempt on a patient to uncovering dark secrets within an all-girls school, and untangling a leak scandal that morphs into a murder investigation, Fortune's cases are as varied as they are perplexing. Each story showcases his unique methodology, blending forensic insight with psychological acumen to expose the hidden truths behind human deception and violence. What makes *Call Mr. Fortune* resonate today is its prescient portrayal of forensic science long before it became a mainstream concept. Bailey crafts a protagonist who is not merely a solver of puzzles, but a diagnostician of crime, using medical knowledge to dissect motives and reconstruct events with chilling precision. Fortune's blend of detached scientific logic and a deeply empathetic understanding of human nature makes these tales more than just whodunits; they are character studies wrapped in ingenious plots, offering a fascinating glimpse into the nascent stages of scientific detection and the enduring appeal of a mind that sees what others miss.