Image of Arthur B. Reeve

Timeline

Lifetime: 1880 - 1936 Passed: ≈ 87 years ago

Title

Writer

Country/Nationality

United States
Wikipedia

Arthur B. Reeve

Arthur Benjamin Reeve was an American mystery writer. He is known best for creating the series character Professor Craig Kennedy, sometimes called "The American Sherlock Holmes", and Kennedy's Dr. Watson-like sidekick Walter Jameson, a newspaper reporter, for 18 detective novels. Reeve is famous mostly for the 82 Craig Kennedy stories, published in Cosmopolitan magazine between 1910 and 1918. These were collected in book form; with the third collection, the short stories were published grouped together as episodic novels. The 12-volume publication Craig Kennedy Stories was released during 1918; it reissued Reeve's books-to-date as a matched set.

Born in Brooklyn, Reeve graduated from Princeton and attended New York Law School. He worked as an editor and journalist before acquiring fame from the first Craig Kennedy story during 1911. Raised in Brooklyn, he lived most of his professional life at various addresses near Long Island Sound. In 1932, he relocated to New Jersey (Trenton) to be nearer his alma mater, Princeton. He died in Trenton in 1936.

Starting with The Exploits of Elaine (1914), Reeve began authoring screenplays. His movie career was the most productive during 1919-20, when his name was credited for seven movies, most of them serials, three of them featuring Harry Houdini. After that—- probably because of the movie industry's migration to Hollywood and Reeve's desire to remain in the east—- Reeve worked more sporadically with movies. He published much fiction originally in newspapers, and a variety of magazines including Boys' Life, Country Gentleman, and Everybody's Magazine. Eventually, he was published only in pulps like Detective Fiction Weekly and Detective Story Magazine. During 1927, Reeve contracted with (with John S. Lopez) to write a series of movie scenarios for the notorious millionaire-murderer, Harry K. Thaw, on the subject of fake spiritualists. The deal resulted in a lawsuit when Thaw refused to pay. During late 1928, Reeve declared bankruptcy.

During the 1930s, Reeve changed his career by becoming an anti-rackets crusader. He hosted a national radio program from July 1930 to March 1931, published a history of the rackets titled The Golden Age of Crime, and the emphasis of his Craig Kennedy stories completed Reeve's transition from "scientific detective" work to conbatting organized crime.

During his career, Reeve reported many celebrated crime cases for various newspapers, including the murder of William Desmond Taylor in 1922, and the trial of Lindbergh baby kidnapper, Bruno Hauptmann, who was executed in 1936.

Books by Arthur B. Reeve

Gold of the Gods Cover image

Gold of the Gods

Novel
Murder Mystery Crime Detective novel Civilization Gold

It features Kennedy investigating a case involving a stolen gold mine. The story also includes a plot involving a hidden civilization. "Gold of the Gods" is a novel by Arthur B. Reeve, part of the Craig Kennedy detective series. The Craig Kennedy ser...

The Social Gangster Cover image

The Social Gangster

Crime Novel
History Justice America Investigative Criminals United States Prohibition

It takes readers on a thrilling journey through the underbelly of New York City's criminal underworld. Originally published in 1916, the book is set during the height of the Prohibition era and follows the investigation of a string of daring robberie...

The Ear In The Wall Cover image

The Ear In The Wall

Novel
Family Murder Mystery Thriller Wealth

The book follows the adventures of detective Craig Kennedy as he investigates a series of mysterious events surrounding the death of a wealthy businessman. The novel is set in New York City during the early 20th century, and it captures the spirit o...

Guy Garrick Cover image

Guy Garrick

Crime Fiction
Detective Mystery Suspense Determination Criminals Pursuit Investigation

This is a gripping detective mystery that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the world of crime and investigation. Written by the esteemed author, this book offers an engaging narrative filled with suspense, intrigue, and the pursuit of jus...

Constance Dunlap Cover image

Constance Dunlap

Fiction Novel
Mystery Intelligence Adventure Crime Romance Suspense Danger

In the shadowy underbelly of early 20th-century New York City, where secrets and scandals lurk behind every opulent facade, Constance Dunlap emerges as a force to be reckoned with. In Arthur B. Reeve's riveting tale, "Constance Dunlap," a captivating...

Exploits Of Elaine Cover image

Exploits Of Elaine

The Exploits of Elaine It tells the story of a young woman named Elaine who, with the help of a detective, tries to find the man, known only as "The Clutching Hand", who murdered her father. (Wikipedia)

Master Mystery Cover image

Master Mystery

While Harry Houdini didn't rise to fame as a screen actor, silent film makers of the day sought to capitalize on his fame. The Master Mystery was Houdini's first such attempt, and it was embraced by the viewing public, leading to other screen roles f...

Silent Bullet Cover image

Silent Bullet

The many adventures of Professor Craig Kennedy were chronicled by Arthur B. Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936). Reeve was an American mystery writer who created 82 Craig Kennedy mystery stories. The stories have a very Sherlock Holmes type fee...

Poisoned Pen Cover image

Poisoned Pen

The many adventures of Professor Craig Kennedy were chronicled by Arthur B. Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936). Reeve was an American mystery writer who created 82 Craig Kennedy mystery stories. The stories have a very Sherlock Holmes type fee...

Dream Doctor Cover image

Dream Doctor

The Dream Doctor is a compilation of detective stories featuring Professor Craig Kennedy, a Sherlock-like character who uses his scientific acumen to solve mysteries. A newspaper reporter, Walter Jameson, works with him to get to the bottom of things...

Adventuress Cover image

Adventuress

Another adventure in the series starring scientist/detective Craig Kennedy, a Sherlock Holmes type of character. This one features family feuds, murder and fantastic new inventions, narrated by the Watson-figure of reporter Walter Jameson. - Summary...

The Treasure-Train Cover image

The Treasure-Train

There have been many novels written by Arthur B. Reeve that feature the character of Craig Kennedy. Kennedy is a detective that employs his knowledge of science, medicine and criminology to solve multiple cases of murder and mystery that are docum...