A review by krikketgirl
Uncle Abner Master of Mysteries: A Collection of Classic Detective Stories by Melville Davisson Post

4.0

Of all the detective stories I remember originally reading in some long-forgotten Ellery Queen omnibus, Uncle Abner has stayed with me the most clearly. In Uncle Abner's world--the Virginia hills in the 1840s or so--there is black and there is white. The stories have a strong religious element, with good pitted against evil. There are quite a few forays into justice versus law, as well: what is right? And when is lawful not right?

The stories are not all fair play, which may bother some readers. The historical viewpoint, however, has a charm of its own, and I confess to a great liking for the straightforwardness of the stories: good versus bad, and good (in the form of Uncle Abner) wins.