New Arabian Nights: Robert Stevenson

Stevenson published this collection of his early fiction in 1882, after the pieces had appeared in various magazines. The first half features two popular detective-story cycles, The Suicide Club and The Rajah’s Diamonds, which deal with a macabre secret society and the intrigues and escapades involving exotic jewels. The second half brings together unrelated pieces, including the seminal ‘The Pavilion on the Links’ – described by Conan Doyle as the first short story in the world – which is set in a cottage surrounded by quicksand and tells the story of two old friends who become rivals for the affection of a woman.

An eclectic, entertaining compilation, New Arabian Nights represented a milestone in Stevenson’s creative development and confirmed his reputation as one of the finest storytellers in the English language.

Contains: ‘The Suicide Club’, ‘Story of the Young Man with the Cream Tarts’, ‘Story of the Physician and the Saratoga Trunk’, ‘The Adventure of the Hansom Cabs’, ‘The Raja’s Diamond’, ‘Story of the Bandbox’, ‘Story of the Young Man in Holy Orders’, ‘ Story of the House with the Green Blinds’, ‘The Adventure of Prince Florizel and a Detective’, ‘ The Pavilons on the Links’, ‘A Lodging for the Night’, ‘The Sire de Maletroit’s Door’, ‘Providence and the Guitar’.