Podcast Summary: E. and H. Heron, "Flaxman Low: Occult Detective" (MIT Press, 2026)
Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Dr. Miranda Melcher
Guest: Dr. Alexander B. Joy
Publication Date: March 15, 2026
Episode Theme: Revival and analysis of the forgotten Flaxman Low occult detective stories and their intriguing intersection of mystery, early psychological science, and supernatural fiction.
Episode Overview
This episode features Dr. Miranda Melcher in conversation with Dr. Alexander B. Joy, who authored the introduction and analysis for the new MIT Press edition of Flaxman Low: Occult Detective—a collection of short stories originally written over a century ago by the British mother-son duo known as E. and H. Heron (Kate O'Brien Ryall Prichard and Hesketh Hesketh-Prichard). The discussion centers on reviving these long-neglected stories, their historical context, the unique blend of science and the supernatural, and the enduring appeal—and influence—of the "occult detective" genre.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to the Revival Project & Motivation
[01:27–04:53]
- Dr. Joy introduces himself as a PhD in Comparative Literature and discusses his love for forgotten public domain books.
- Motivations for the project:
- Enthusiasm for neglected literature: "The public domain is a world wonder in my opinion, and I'm always digging through it..." — Dr. Joy [02:54]
- Accessibility and affordability: Prior editions were rare and expensive, sometimes as much as $4,500 a copy.
- Most available versions were incomplete or poor quality: “Spurious quality... only had six of the 12 stories.” — Dr. Joy [03:56]
2. Aspirations for Modern Readers
[05:10–05:56]
- Dr. Joy hopes contemporary readers will "simply enjoy the stories" and gain insight into "early psychological science."
- He highlights how the scientific context of the time both informed and was imagined through the stories: “The Flaxman Low stories give us a sense of the promise and possibility that people ascribed to that science in its earliest iterations.” [05:40]
3. Publication History and Format of the Stories
[06:18–06:58]
- Stories first appeared in Pearson’s Magazine in 1898–1899, then collected as Ghosts: Being the Experiences of Flaxman Low (1899).
4. A Look Inside the Stories
[06:58–08:07]
- Flaxman Low stories are fundamentally mysteries with supernatural trappings. Each centers on Lowe investigating cases involving "haunting or unexplained phenomenon" using psychological science.
- One notable tale, "The Story of the Gray House," is previewed as especially atmospheric:
"...concerns Lowe’s investigations of a house that has been abandoned after a series of inexplicable deaths there... attached to this picturesque nightmare setting that's vaguely reminiscent of Jeff Vandermeer’s Area X. It's glorious. It feels very modern..." — Dr. Joy [07:40]
5. About the Authors: The Pritchards
[08:31–10:09]
- E. and H. Heron is a pseudonym for mother-son team Kate O’Brien Ryall Prichard and Hesketh Hesketh-Prichard.
- Authorship breakdown is debated, with evidence suggesting collaborative ideas but potentially alternating lead on writing each story.
- Hesketh credits his mother’s guidance:
"Without her I should probably have written nothing." — Hesketh Prichard (quoted by Dr. Joy) [09:14]
6. The Pritchards’ Wider Literary and Personal Context
[10:42–12:32]
- The Pritchards were vigorous figures—Hesketh was a professional cricketer, sniper trainer, traveler, and renowned correspondent; Kate was a similarly intrepid traveler, with a river in Argentina named after her.
- Wrote other notable stories, some adapted into film, and moved in literary circles alongside J.M. Barrie and Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Their travelogues even influenced Doyle’s The Lost World.
7. Flaxman Low vs. Sherlock Holmes and Other Detectives
[14:04–17:02]
- Flaxman Low: Portrayed as an athletic, gentlemanly psychological researcher who investigates supernatural phenomena with scientific rigor.
- Key innovation: Lowe represents the “first truly modern occult detective,” bridging scientific and supernatural explanations.
- Contrast to Sherlock Holmes:
- Holmes outright dismisses the supernatural (“No ghosts need apply.” — from “The Sussex Vampire,” referenced at [15:23]).
- Earlier detective John Bell focused on debunking, Dr. Heselius (Le Fanu) was more of a framing device.
- Lowe investigates paranormal by assigning “physical psychological causes” to apparent supernatural events, anticipating later fictional investigators.
8. Popularity and Publishing Context
[17:02–18:08]
- Flaxman Low stories were popular and successful—enough for a bound collection and an open ending.
- Their emergence is tied to the “Sherlock-shaped void” after Conan Doyle’s temporary retirement of Holmes:
“Lowe was one of many fictional detectives who was pushed into print to fill the Sherlock shaped void...” — Dr. Joy [18:08]
9. Science, Society, and the Occult Detective’s Appeal
[18:08–20:24]
- The turn-of-the-century fascination with emerging psychology as a science fueled these narratives—reflecting hopes that science could explain ghosts, minds, souls.
- Marketing included “real ghost stories” label and actual house photographs to bolster the stories' credibility.
- Science was intertwined with mysticism:
“If science could... understand the mind and brain, then souls and spirits... might evolve from myth into fact.” — Dr. Joy [19:16]
10. Legacy and Influence
[20:48–21:50]
- The Pritchards offered an early, effective “blend of horror, mystery, and sci-fi.”
- Flaxman Low’s methodical, psychologically-minded approach influenced later characters:
- Father Brown (Chesterton), Fox Mulder (X-Files).
- H.P. Lovecraft and Thomas Ligotti as influenced by the mood and formula.
11. The Enduring Fun and Discovery of Flaxman Low
[22:13–23:23]
- Dr. Joy “devoured” all the stories before proposing the collection, noting their inventiveness and freshness despite age.
- He hopes new readers will likewise be surprised by how enjoyable and creative these stories remain.
12. Dr. Joy’s Next Project
[23:37–24:18]
- Hints at a proposed book analyzing James Whale’s The Invisible Man (1933), relating it to “the mindset and machinery of the surveillance state”—showcasing his ongoing engagement with classic sci-fi and horror’s modern relevance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“The public domain is a world wonder in my opinion…” — Dr. Alexander B. Joy [02:57]
-
On the challenge of finding Flaxman Low in print:
“…surviving physical copies of that book were staggeringly expensive. Two separate booksellers priced that at US$4,500… just completely inaccessible.” — Dr. Joy [04:23]
-
On the collaborative nature of the authors:
“She has helped me with all that I have written, and without her I should probably have written nothing.” — (Hesketh Prichard, as cited by Dr. Joy) [09:14]
-
Comparing Flaxman Low with Sherlock Holmes:
“For example, in the Sussex vampire… Holmes says, 'The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply.' So these don't figure into Conan Doyle.” — Dr. Joy [15:15]
-
The cultural hunger for new detectives after Sherlock Holmes’ ‘death’:
“People were very hungry for serial mysteries with recurring characters to read. So that at least is his pop culture context…” — Dr. Joy [18:18]
-
On the potential for science to demystify the supernatural:
“Ghosts have physical causes, so as a result, we might be able to infer that there is life after death because the brain is still working in interesting, mysterious ways.” — Dr. Joy [20:08]
-
Why these stories still matter:
“The premises are deeply inventive and deeply strange… they still feel fun and fresh, even though they were written over a century ago.” — Dr. Joy [22:44]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:27: Introduction to the episode, guest, and project
- 02:54: Dr. Joy’s personal and scholarly motivations
- 05:10: Hopes for contemporary readers
- 06:18: Original publication history of the stories
- 06:58: Overview and example of a Flaxman Low story
- 08:31: Authorship and collaboration between the Pritchards
- 10:42: Biography of the Pritchards and their circles
- 14:04: Comparing Flaxman Low to Sherlock Holmes
- 18:08: Social and scientific context for occult detective literature
- 20:48: Literary legacy and influences of Flaxman Low
- 22:13: Discovering the stories and reader takeaways
- 23:37: Dr. Joy’s next book project
Conclusion
Dr. Alexander B. Joy gives a passionate, engaging account of Flaxman Low, situating the stories within both their immediate cultural moment and a broader literary-historical context. Bringing these occult detective tales back into print fosters not only the enjoyment of lost gems but encourages contemporary reflection on how science, belief, and storytelling have always been deeply intertwined. The episode makes a compelling case—through scholarship, anecdotes, and literary connections—that these stories deserve to haunt the popular imagination anew.