"Mysteries of the Missing" by Edward H. Smith is a non-fiction written in the early 20th century. The book delves into enigmatic cases of disappearance and kidnapping, exploring the human fascination with the unknown and unresolved mysteries surrounding individuals who vanish without a trace. It covers several notable cases, including the famous abduction of Charlie Ross, giving readers a glimpse into both historical and criminal contexts. The opening of the work introduces the concept of disappearance, highlighting the timeless intrigue surrounding missing persons while providing a vivid case study: the kidnapping of Charlie Ross in 1874. On a summer afternoon, two men approach the young boys, Walter and Charlie Ross, luring them with candy and inviting them for a ride, before abducting Charlie. As the narrative unfolds, it paints a dramatic picture of parental anguish and public hysteria that followed, detailing the early investigation efforts and the authorities' struggle to respond effectively to the unfolding crisis. This gripping introduction sets the stage for an exploration of various mysteries surrounding missing individuals throughout history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 66.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Contents
A note on disappearing -- The Charlie Ross enigma -- "Severed from the race" -- The vanished Archduke -- The stolen Conway boy -- The lost heir of Tichborne -- The kidnappers of Central Park -- Dorothy Arnold -- Eddie Cudahy and Pat Crowe -- The Whitla kidnapping -- The mystery at Highbridge -- A nun in vivisepulture -- The return of Jimmie Glass -- The fates and Joe Varotta -- The lost millionaire -- The Ambrose Bierce irony -- The adventure of the century -- Spectral ships.
Credits
Demian Katz and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University.)
