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A review by leandrathetbrzero
Blind Man's Bluff: A Duncan Maclain Mystery by Baynard Kendrick
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The American Blind Detective
↓ Other American GADF on my TBR ↓
1. SS Van Dine’s The Benson Murder Case
2. Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of the Borrowed Brunette
3. Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s The Cape Cod Mystery
When a bank’s president falls eight stories to his death in the building’s lobby, blind detective Captain Duncan Maclain is asked to investigate. He shows little interest in the matter until it is revealed that the dead man, Blake Hadfield, was blind…
This was my first experience with Baynard Kendrick, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The introduction and forward in my Penzler Classic edition made all the difference. I loved learning about the inspiration behind Kendrick’s blind detective and his lifelong advocacy for blind veterans. Having that background knowledge, I was able to appreciate Captain Maclain’s demeanor and sleuthing abilities tenfold. Blinded during WWI, Maclain experienced blindness as one who must adapt to his new reality and train himself with a new set of skills and a new mindset. I also loved the inclusion of his guide dogs, Schnucke and Driest.
Prior to this, the only blind detective with which I was familiar was Max Carrados by the British writer, Ernest Bramah. This example of a blind protagonist acted as yet another influence for Kendrick to pick up his pen because he felt Bramah set unrealistic standards for blind people and failed to present an accurate and capable detective within the bounds of one’s actual abilities.
I fully intend on returning to this detective when the opportunity arises. So, The Odor of Violets, I have my eye on you!
I discuss this book in my July Wrap on Booktube. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/WYcazV8nbwg
↓ Other American GADF on my TBR ↓
1. SS Van Dine’s The Benson Murder Case
2. Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of the Borrowed Brunette
3. Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s The Cape Cod Mystery
When a bank’s president falls eight stories to his death in the building’s lobby, blind detective Captain Duncan Maclain is asked to investigate. He shows little interest in the matter until it is revealed that the dead man, Blake Hadfield, was blind…
This was my first experience with Baynard Kendrick, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The introduction and forward in my Penzler Classic edition made all the difference. I loved learning about the inspiration behind Kendrick’s blind detective and his lifelong advocacy for blind veterans. Having that background knowledge, I was able to appreciate Captain Maclain’s demeanor and sleuthing abilities tenfold. Blinded during WWI, Maclain experienced blindness as one who must adapt to his new reality and train himself with a new set of skills and a new mindset. I also loved the inclusion of his guide dogs, Schnucke and Driest.
Prior to this, the only blind detective with which I was familiar was Max Carrados by the British writer, Ernest Bramah. This example of a blind protagonist acted as yet another influence for Kendrick to pick up his pen because he felt Bramah set unrealistic standards for blind people and failed to present an accurate and capable detective within the bounds of one’s actual abilities.
I fully intend on returning to this detective when the opportunity arises. So, The Odor of Violets, I have my eye on you!
I discuss this book in my July Wrap on Booktube. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/WYcazV8nbwg
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, and War