A Mystery of Mysteries

The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe

By: Mark Dawidziak

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

A Mystery of Mysteries is a brilliant biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned author’s life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes.

It is a moment shrouded in horror and mystery. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, at just forty, in a painful, utterly bizarre manner that would not have been out of place in one of his own tales of terror. What was the cause of his untimely death, and what happened to him during the three missing days before he was found, delirious and “in great distress” on the streets of Baltimore, wearing ill-fitting clothes that were not his own?

Mystery and horror. Poe, who remains one of the most iconic of American writers, died under haunting circumstances that reflect the two literary genres he took to new heights. Over the years, there has been a staggering amount of speculation about the cause of death, from rabies and syphilis to suicide, alcoholism, and even murder. But many of these theories are formed on the basis of the caricature we have come to associate with Poe: the gloomy-eyed grandfather of Goth, hunched over a writing desk with a raven perched on one shoulder, drunkenly scribbling his chilling masterpieces. By debunking the myths of how he lived, we come closer to understanding the real Poe―and uncovering the truth behind his mysterious death, as a new theory emerges that could prove the cause of Poe’s death was haunting him all his life.

In a compelling dual-timeline narrative alternating between Poe’s increasingly desperate last months and his brief but impactful life, Mark Dawidziak sheds new light on the enigmatic master of macabre.

©2023 Mark Dawidziak (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

poe was tortured by the time he lived

very good biography, I wish more about Poes politics were discussed. especially around the issue of secret societies.

Informative, Entertaining, Nicely Written

Must-read for any Poe/literature enthusiasts, also a great teaching tool for learners. Precise and unpretentious. I enjoyed it!

Demystifying the Master of the Macabre

Think you know Poe?
Think again.

Dawidziak impressively paints a portrait of Poe few in the mainstream public are aware of, and explores the most probable reasons for his death and how his final hours were spent.

Often sad, funny, and revealing, Dawidziak hits a home run with an impeccably researched and well told exploration of the man we all know simply as Poe.

Poerific!!

Excellent book!! Dawidziak captured Poe's life in such detail, more than other books about Poe I've read. Highly recommend!!

Good Poe Biography

There was a Poe documentary that PBS did not that long ago, called Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive. This book has a lot of that same information, but it gets to elaborate and tell more of the story of its subject than can be fit into a 1 hour-ish documentary. The narrator has a good 'documentary' voice, and I enjoyed his performance. All around, a good summary of the life and death of one of the best American authors.

Thorough and yet concise

Great Poe bio. We may never know key aspects of Poe's life but maybe we don't need to, mystery is also part of knowledge.

Good Biography and Summary of previous Biographies

Revolving around the mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe, this Biography covers Poe's life, writing, and mysterious and debated death. I learned a lot about one of the greatest American writers of all time. It has inspired me to go back and read more of his stories and poems.

Compelling Take on Poe’s Death & Life

Fascinating, well written, convincing, and perfectly told by Grover Gardner, who’s done such great work reading Mark Twain and Robert Caro’s LBJ volumes.

A Fresh Perspective

Mark Dawidziak’s A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe offers a unique, non-linear exploration of one of America’s most enigmatic authors. Rather than a traditional biography, the book delves into Poe’s mysterious death while weaving in moments from his tumultuous life. Some readers might find the non-linear structure disorienting, but it mirrors Poe’s own style and keeps the reader engaged, adding a layer of suspense to the narrative.

The book provides intriguing insights into Poe’s complex character, shedding light—albeit a flickering one—on the man behind the dark tales. Dawidziak doesn’t aim to fully demystify Poe, instead embracing the uncertainty and intrigue that have surrounded him for centuries. In many ways, the quote "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream" encapsulates Poe’s life as explored in the book—blurring the lines between reality and the strange, haunting legacy he left behind.

The audiobook, narrated by Grover Gardner, further enhances the experience. Gardner’s excellent performance captures the dark, moody essence of Poe’s life and works, making it a compelling listen. Overall, the book offers a fresh perspective on Poe, and while the structure might not work for everyone, it effectively draws readers in, making it a worthy read for fans of Poe and literary mysteries alike.

Poe lives!

A pitch-perfect overview of the life of Edgar Allan Poe, who was, in the end, just another human being and not a ghost nor ghoul nor freak nor madman. Thumbs (and raven wings) up.