James Edward Preston Muddock also known as „Joyce Emmerson Preston Muddock” and „Dick Donovan” (1843-1934) was a prolific British journalist and author of mystery and horror fiction. For a time his detective stories were as popular as those of Arthur Conan Doyle. Most of Muddock’s stories featured his continuing character Dick Donovan, the Glasgow Detective, named for one of the 18th Century Bow Street Runners. Other works include these short stories as well.