Double for Death by Rex Stout, 1939

 

dustjackets.com

Series: Tecumseh Fox #1

About the author: Rex Stout (1886 – 1975) was an American writer noted for his detective fiction. His best-known characters are the detective Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin, who were featured in 33 novels and 39 novellas between 1934 and 1975. (wikipedia). (bibliography)

Major characters:

• Nancy Grant, Fox's client
• Andrew Grant, Nancy's uncle - accused of murder
• Ridley Thorpe, president of Thorp Control
• Jeffrey Thorpe, his son
• Miranda (Thorpe) Pemberton, his daughter (divorced)
• Vaughn Kester, his confidential secretary
• Luke Wheer, his chauffeur/valet
• Dorothy Duke, his mistress
• Corey Arnold, his stand-in
• Tecumseh Fox, private investigator
• Dan Pavey, his Vice President
• Ben Cook, White Plains Chief of Police
• P.L. Derwin, District Attorney of Westchester County

Locale: Westchester County, New York (just north of New York City)

Synopsis: Nancy Grant hires Private Investigator Tecumseh Fox to assist her uncle, Andrew Grant, who is facing a murder charge. Grant just happened to be on the scene when Ridley Thorpe was shot in his remote bungalow getaway, which he maintained for his affairs with various women. Fox discovers that Thorpe is still alive, and the dead man is Corey Arnold - a somewhat look-alike he hires as a stand-in for security purposes.

Review:

Feb 17 2025: reading now, please come back soon. RM

Death Answers the Bell by Valentine Williams, 1931

 

Series: Trevor Dene #1

About the author: Valentine Williams (1883–1946) was an English journalist and writer of popular fiction. Williams was awarded the Military Cross as a soldier and wrote two autobiographical books about his war-time experiences. In the aftermath of war, he travelled widely as a reporter.  It was during this period that he began writing thrillers and around 1926 he gave up his post at the Daily Mail to pursue a full-time career as an author. (Wikipedia)

Major characters:

• Miss Aline Innesmore, from New York
• Sir Charles "Chass" and Lady Julia Rossway
• Sholto Rossway, their son, 26
• Geraldine "Gerry" Rossway, Sholto's wife, 23
• Rodney Rossway, their son, 25
• Barrasford "Barry" Swete, tenant and family friend
• Mr. Murch, Sir Charles' secretary

Locale: London

Synopsis: Lady Julia Rossway, of Frant House, is presenting her friend Miss Aline Innesmore at Court. It is big occasion to be presented to the King and Queen, and Aline is wearing her new presentation gown. After, she stops by Frant House to the lodgings of the Rossway's tenant Barry Swete, a friend of the family; to show him her new gown. Swete's apartment, with The Yellow Door, is connected to Frant House via an old covered tennis court. It is early in the morning, and as Aline knocks on his door the lights inside suddenly go out. She returns to the car and notices blood on the hem of her gown (illustrated above). Chauffeur Giles and Lady Julia's son Rodney Rossway force entrance to find Barry dead on the floor. Later they realize the killer must have been in the room with them.

Review: I always enjoy Valentine Williams. I especially liked the tight cast of characters - the list above is IT (other than the police and a couple incidentals). The investigation would have been much easier all around except that the Rossways, having found the murder weapon, just pass it around as a curiosity for everyone to fondle instead of mentioning it to the police. Much of the middle part is trying to follow the travels of the gun, all immaterial as the murder had long since occurred. There is a secret passage, too, which figures in the story as well. It is discovered in the proper Gothic manner, in the middle of the night by the heroine (Aline) in her diaphanous nightgown holding a candle, with a cold wind blowing.

This is the first Trevor Dene and he has a very small part to play in the investigation, but he does get romantically involved with Aline. 

 

Road to Folly by Leslie Ford, 1940

 

dustjackets.com

About the author: Leslie Ford is a pseudonym of Zenith Jones Brown, 1898-1984. She also wrote as David Frome and Brenda Conrad. Also see this Book Scribbles blog: Leslie Ford's Fall From Grace. 

Major characters:

Diane Baker, interior decorator, our narrator

John Michener, attorney

Of Darien plantation:

• Phyllis Lattimer, wealthy, ambitious, owns Darien plantation
• Rusty Lattimer, her husband
• Anne Lattimer, Rusty's sister
• Brad Porter, Phyllis' ex
• Felice Marin, French maid

Of Strawberry Hill plantation:

• Miss Caroline Reid, 80-year old matriarch
• Atwell Reid, her nephew, deceased before story
• Mrs. Elsie Reid, Atwell's widow, Caroline's niece (by marriage)
• Jennifer Reid, Elsie's 22-year old daughter
• Colleton Reid, Elsie's son

Locale: Charleston, South Carolina

Synopsis: Decorator Diane Baker travels from Philadelphia to visit old school chum la-di-dah Southern belle Phyllis Lattimer. Phyllis and her husband Rusty Lattimer own genteel Darien Plantation, which is adjacent to run-down Strawberry Hill Plantation; owned by the destitute Reid family. 

Grasping Phyllis is determined to get her hands on the Reid's antique furniture, and tries to use Diane to achieve this. She wants Diane to appeal to matriarch Caroline Reid. Caroline, 80, in poor health, is confined to her rooms. The family maintains a charade for her benefit, keeping her rooms and the gardens outside her window in pristine condition; while the rest of the estate is slowly being gutted and sold off. The Reid family consists of Caroline's niece, Mrs. Elsie Reid, widowed upon the hunting accident death of her husband Atwell Reid. Their two children are Jennifer Reid and Colleton Reid. No one talks about Atwell's death, but it appears Colleton had been holding the gun when it happened. Now another death occurs.

Complicating the dynamics are two cross-family love affairs: Rusty Lattimer with Jennifer Reid, and Colleton Reid with Rusty's sister, Anne Lattimer.

Review: This setting of genteel plantation estates reminds me of Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier). As in that story, there are long-kept family secrets which no one talks about; which are gradually revealed. As soon as arrogant Phyllis was introduced, I knew she was to be a victim. I liked the comparisons of the two side-by-side estates, one lavish, one becoming decrepit. The maintenance of the charade of unchanging wealth for Caroline's benefit is poignant. The story is presented through the eyes of third-party Diane Baker, and this is an effective way to move the story along. 

There are two murders, and the victims are left with a mass of Spanish moss over their faces. I was not sure if that is the murder method or not, it was not explained. I haven't seen Spanish moss but it seems an odd way to do away with someone.

There is a jarring contrast with the Black servants - they are always spoken to politely and respectfully in person, but when they are not present they are referred to by using the n-word. Hypocrisy at its best.

About the title: Folly is a beach area just south of Charleston, although that does not play a part in the story.

Again the Three Just Men by Edgar Wallace, 1928

 

Series: This is the Four Just Men series #6.

About the author: Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals (Goodreads). In terms of production, by cranking out one novel per month, he was the British equivalent of Erle Stanley Gardner. See this Wikipedia article.

This is a series of ten short stories featuring the three just men: Leon Gonsalez (a.k.a. Señor Mandrelino), George Manfred (a.k.a. Señor Fuentes), and --- Poiccart; and Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Reginald Fare. The three are described thus: "The 'Three Just Men' was an organisation which set itself to right acts of injustice which the Law left unpunished. It is believed that the members were exceedingly rich men who devoted their lives and fortunes to this quixotic but wholly unlawful purpose." The stories are best read in order, as some refer back to previous ones.

The Man Who Lived at Clapham: Noah Stedland had an office and fancied himself a financier, but his real occupation was blackmail.

The Man With the Canine Teeth: Professor Tableman is found dead in his laboratory, apparently strangled. The Three Just Men have a different theory.

The Man Who Hated Earthworms: Dr. Viglow is engaged to be married to Miss Moleneux, but she is concerned about his erratic behavior, and his hatred of earthworms. 

The Man Who Died Twice: Gregory Ballam operates an opium den and gambling operation in three adjoining houses, until the Three Just Men send him to "prison". 

The Man Who Hated Amelia Jones: Amelia Jones approaches the Three Just Men. She is worried her imprisoned husband is going to 'do her in' when he is released. The Three Just Men provide an alternate victim.

The Man Who Was Happy: Leon Gonsalez has a problem: A criminal has discovered he is one of the Three Just Men. And Lord Pertham has a marriage problem: too many wives. The Three Just Men set out to fix both problems.

The Man Who Loved Music: Mr. Lynne cannot get to sleep unless he plays his record of Tschaikovsky's "1812" - very loud, annoying the neighbors. The Three Just Men use the ruckus to their own advantage.

The Man Who Was Plucked: Jack Eden, neighbor to Manfred and Gonsalez, is despondent over gambling debts. He attempts - and fails - suicide, and the Three Just Men go after the the man who caused the whole thing.

The Man Who Would Not Speak: Clever "Spaghetti" Jones pulls off a kidnapping, and won't reveal where the child is hidden, until the Three Just Men find a way to make him talk.

The Man Who Was Acquitted: Dr. Twenden poisoned his wife, and got away with it. Until the Three Just Men figure out how it was done.

Ten short stories - each one a good length for a bedtime read before turning out the light, and going to sleep knowing justice has prevailed.

Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day, 2019

 

Series: This is Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery #1.

About the author: Maddie Day is a pseudonym of Edith Maxwell. She is a talented amateur chef and holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Indiana University. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction which has appeared in a number of juried anthologies. She lives with her beau and three cats in Massachusetts. (Fantastic Fiction)

Major characters:

• Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida, bike shop owner
• Derrick Searle, Mac's half brother
• Florence "Flo" Wolanski, librarian
• Gin Malloy, candy shop owner
• Zane King, distiller
• Stephen ----, Zane's husband
• Tulia Peters, lobstah shack owner
• Norland Gifford, retired chief of police
• Jake Lacey, handyman
• Tim Brunelle, Mac's boyfriend
• Orlean Brown, Mac's bike mechanic
• Suzanne Wolanski, Flo's daughter, bookstore owner
• Mysterious person #1: Wesley Farnham, wealthy visitor
• Mysterious person #2: Katherine Deloit, "blazer woman"
• Mysterious person #3:  Wendy Rawson, "the happy/sad woman"
• Chief of Police Victoria Laitinen
• Detective Lincoln Haskins

members of the Cozy Capers Book Group

Locale: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Synopsis: Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida owns a bike shop on Cape Cod. She is returning from a meeting of the Cozy Capers Book Group on a foggy night, and trips over a body - that of handyman Jake Lacey. She sees a knife in his neck, with a distinctive haft, belonging to her half-brother Derrick Searle. Derrick is nowhere to be found.

Mac had been observed in a confrontation with Lacey earlier over his work on her roof, which raises the suspicion of police chief Victoria Laitinen. Mac and the book group decide to do some investigating on their own, and share their findings with Detective Lincoln Haskins. They come up with three persons of immediate interest: Wesley Farnham, wealthy mainland apartment house owner; Katherine Deloit (a.k.a. blazer woman), and an unidentified "sad woman". No sooner than they begin making progress, when Mac gets warned off, and an attempt made on her lift.

Review: Cozy mysteries are new to me, and I certainly enjoyed this one. I realize why. I tend to read mostly golden-age mysteries, which have a lot in common with cozies: simple plots, generally one victim, no blood, no gory wound descriptions, no bad language, no sex scenes. 

Having been to Cape Cod a number of times, I found the writing authentic as to place and characters. Mac reminds me a lot of Kinsey Millhone of the Sue Grafton alphabet series, being a minimalist single introvert living in a tiny house - in fact, she (Kinsey) is even mentioned in a meeting of the book group.

My only quibble is the rather unbelieveable coincidence that mystery woman Katherine Deloit would stop her car just within earshot of Mac, get out, and have a loud cell phone conversation which reveals a lot of information.

I see there are seven titles in this series, and I will be looking out for others on Paperback Swap. 

You may also enjoy these reviews by other members of The Mystillery:

• this review by Susan Jensen on Goodreads
• this review by Tari Hann on Goodreads
• this review by Karen Baroness on Baroness' Book Trove
• this review by Traci on Title Surfing with Traci

Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham, 1968

 

Series: Albert Campion #19 (last in series)

About the author: Margery Louise Allingham (1904 – 1966) was an English novelist from the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction". Allingham is best remembered for her hero, the gentleman sleuth Albert Campion. Initially believed to be a parody of Dorothy L. Sayers's detective Lord Peter Wimsey, Campion matured into a strongly individual character, part-detective, part-adventurer, who formed the basis for 18 novels and many short stories. (wikipedia) 

Major characters:

• Morty Kelsey, professor and historical writer
• James Teague, a released prisoner
• Target Burrows, ship's engineer, with a glass eye
• H.O. Wishart, poet
• Dixie Wishart, his wife, barkeep at "The Demon" [bar]
• Mossy Ling, the only one who has seen The [real] Demon
• Dr. Dido Jones
• Sir Albert Campion

Locale: England

Synopsis: Historical professor Mortimer "Morty" Kelsey brings Albert Campion to the seaside village of Saltey, a rather desolate and forbidding place. Kelsey regales Campion with stories of past pirate adventures, a legendary demon, and a hidden treasure. The action centers around the house of Miss Kitty Kytie, who has left it to attractive Dr. Dido Jones, who knew her when she was in hospital. Kelsey believes a treasure is hidden in the vicinity, sought after by released prisoner James Teague. When Dido arrives to take possession, she finds the body of her attorney, Hector Askew, inside. 

Review: This story takes us back to The Beatles era, with "mods" terrorizing the community on motorbikes with their tight black outfits, blasting music on their "transistors". The pirate/smuggling backstory is right out of Jamaica Inn (Daphne du Maurier). The hidden treasure is indeed found, and in a clever hiding place. The disposition of the treasure is an interesting exercise, and this is the significance of the title. Mossy Ling is an enjoyable character, hanging around the bar and telling his story (he was the only one who saw The Demon) in exchange for drinks. The true story behind the legend comes out, and it is quite funny.

 

Murder in Retrospect by Agatha Christie, 1942

 

dustjackets.com

 This is Hercule Poirot #25. It was also published under the title Five Little Pigs.

Major characters:

• Carla Lemarchant, Poirot's client
• Amyas Crale, a painter, her father (deceased prior to story)
• Caroline Crale, her mother (deceased prior to story)
• Angela Warren, Caroline's half-sister
• Cecilia Williams, Angela's childhood governess
• Philip Blake, stockbroker, was Amyas' best friend and neighbor
• Meredith Blake, herb and potion hobbyist, Philips's brother
• Elsa Greer, Amyas' 'other woman'. Now Lady Dittisham
• Hercule Poirot

Synopsis: Carla Lemarchant visits Hercule Poirot to ask him to investigate a sixteen-year old murder. Her father, painter Amyas Crale, had been poisoned. Her mother, Caroline Crale, was convicted on circumstantial evidence. The alleged motive was jealousy: Amyas was going to divorce her to marry young Elsa Greer (after several marriages, now Lady Dittisham). Caroline died in prison.

Carla is convinced her mother was innocent. She wishes her name cleared posthumously so that she (Carla) can marry without her fiancé forever thinking her mother was guilty.

Poirot reviews the cold case by interviewing the principals. He finds the poison, a hemlock concoction, had been lifted from the hobby lab of Meredith Blake, brother of stockbroker Philip Blake, who had been Amyas' best friend; and introducted into his beer glass.

Review: One thing I especially liked about this one is that the circle of suspects remains small - always just five. It made it easy to keep track of the cast of characters. Another thing which is unique is that Poirot got each of the five to write a narrative of the 16-year old murder, from their perspectives. These narratives are provided to the reader. 

Finally, Poirot gets a significant clue from one of the five which untangles the entire murder. As he explains it in the denouément, the sequence of events and motives is crystal clear. I kept page-turning to the very end. 

A final note: The (over)use of pronouns instead of proper names in the beginning led me to a misunderstanding: I thought Angela was Carla's half-sister. She is not. She is Caroline's half-sister, about ten years older than Carla. At the time of the murder, Angela was about fifteen, Carla about five. It was puzzling to me why a 15-year-old rated a governess, while the five year old did not! I suppose the governess was in place of a parent for Angela, who did not have any parents in the picture.

You may also enjoy this review by Bev Hankins on My Reader's Block.