In the present [1908] collection those [stories] have been brought together which are concerned with the grotesque and with the terrible-such tales as might well be read "round the fire" upon a winter's night. This would be my ideal atmosphere for such stories, if an author might choose his time and place as an artist does the light and hanging of his picture. However, if they have the good fortune to give pleasure to any one, at any time or place, their author will be very satisfied. Summary by Book Preface
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Médecin de formation et écrivain écossais (1859–1930), **Sir Arthur Conan Doyle** est mondialement célèbre pour avoir créé le détective *Sherlock Holmes*. Mais son talent s’étend bien au-delà du polar : il explore aussi la **science-fiction**, comme en témoigne *The Poison Belt* (1913), où il mêle aventure, humour et réflexion sur la condition humaine. Engagé dans des causes sociales et passionné de spiritualisme, Conan Doyle a marqué la littérature par son style vif et ses personnages inoubliables.
