Skin O' My Tooth

Skin O' My Tooth introduces readers to a most unusual detective: a shrewd, eccentric lawyer affectionately nicknamed "Skin O' My Tooth" because of his lean appearance and relentless pursuit of justice. Told through the eyes of his devoted daughter, these stories showcase the barrister's uncanny ability to unravel baffling crimes and defend clients against seemingly hopeless odds. With a mix of legal drama, sharp wit, and clever deduction, Baroness Orczy crafts a series of mysteries that combine courtroom intrigue with classic detective storytelling. This collection stands as one of Orczy's most original contributions to the genre, offering both suspenseful puzzles and a unique, endearing detective figure.

Baroness Emmuska Orczy (1865–1947) was a Hungarian-born British novelist, playwright, and artist, best remembered as the creator of the legendary hero The Scarlet Pimpernel. Born in Tarnaörs, Hungary, she moved to London in her youth and established herself in literary circles with her flair for romantic adventure and historical drama. Orczy's groundbreaking novel The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905) introduced readers to Sir Percy Blakeney, the daring English aristocrat who, in disguise, rescued French nobles from the guillotine during the Revolution—an archetype that inspired countless masked and double-identity heroes in popular culture, from Zorro to Batman. Beyond the Pimpernel series, she penned detective stories such as The Old Man in the Corner, historical romances, and even works on Hungarian life and folklore. Her works combined suspense, wit, and a deep love for heroism, earning her international acclaim. Orczy continued writing until her final years, leaving behind a legacy as one of the pioneers of modern adventure and mystery fiction