Dick Donovan

British journalist James Edward Preston Muddock also known as "Dick Donovan" (1843 -1934) was a prolific author of mystery and horror fiction. His detective stories were as popular as those of Arthur Conan Doyle during his era. He published nearly 300 detective and mystery stories. Muddock was born near Southampton, England. During his career he travelled to China, the United States, and Australia. By 1870 Muddock had started publishing serial stories in English newspapers. Most of Muddock's...See more

British journalist James Edward Preston Muddock also known as "Dick Donovan" (1843 -1934) was a prolific author of mystery and horror fiction. His detective stories were as popular as those of Arthur Conan Doyle during his era. He published nearly 300 detective and mystery stories. Muddock was born near Southampton, England. During his career he travelled to China, the United States, and Australia. By 1870 Muddock had started publishing serial stories in English newspapers. Most of Muddock's stories featured his Glasgow detective, Dick Donovan. Muddock also wrote true crime stories, horror, and 37 novels, most as "Dick Donovan." His stories were used by The Strand Magazine in months when there were no Sherlock Holmes stories available. Muddock's detective stories are described as having sensational plots where deduction and logical thought are not as important as they are in Sherlock Holmes stories. See less