O is for Outlaw bu Sue Grafton (1999)

 

Image only - no review

The Case of the Restless Redhead by Erle Stanley Gardner (1954)

 

Evening Star Books

Series: Perry Mason #45

 

Locale: Los Angeles

Synopsis: Perry Mason drops into a trial and observes young attorney Frank Neely having trouble cross-examining a theft witness, Harry Boles. Mason meets with Neely outside and gives him some advice. Neely returns to court, and gets his client, redhead Evelyn Bagby, acquitted.

The Excursion Train by Edward Marston (2005)

 

Series: Railway Detective #2

About the author: Edward Marston is a pseudonym of Keith Miles.

Major characters:

• Inspector Robert Colbeck, Scotland Yard
• Sam Horlock, railway policeman
• Tod Galway, train guard (conductor)
  Caleb Andrews (train driver)
  Madeleine Andrews, his daughter
• Bill Hignett, "The Bargeman", a prizefighter
• Isaac Rosen, "Mad Isaac", a prizefighter
• Jacob Guttridge/Bransby;   public executioner (victim)
  
• Louise Guttridge/Bransby, his widow
• Michael Guttridge/Eames; their son
• Becky Guttridge/Eames; Michael's wife
• William Calcraft, public executioner
  
• Superintendent Edward Tallis
• Inspector Robert Colbeck
• Sergeant Victor Leeming

Locale: London and environs

Synopsis: An excursion train runs from London to the countryside to bring a rowdy crowd to a prizefight between "The Bargeman" (Bill Hignett) and "Mad Isaac" (Isaac Rosen) . After the fans leave the train at the destination, a body is found by railway policeman Sam Horlock in one of the coaches - murdered. Scotland Yard inspector Robert Colbeck, "The Railway Detective", is sent into the investigation. The murdered man is Jacob Guttridge, a public executioner (hangman); who lived incognito with his wife Louise under her maiden name (Bransby). Plenty of people had a motive of retribution, as he had been responsible for hanging quite a few.

Colbeck looks up his friend, train driver Caleb Andrews, for insight into the railway workings; as well as getting closer to his romantic interest, Caleb's daughter Madeleine.

 

All for the Love of a Lady by Leslie Ford, 1943

 

Series: Colonel Primrose #11

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. 

Locale: Washington DC

Major characters:

• Grace Latham, our narrator
• Colonel John Primrose
• Sgt. Phineas T. Buck
• Molly Crane, nurse's aide
• Cass Crane, her husband
• Randy Fleming, Molly's former boyfriend
• D.J. Durbin, mysterious war industry financier
• Achille, his chauffeur
• Courtney Durban, his wife
• Duleep Singh, economist
• Horace Blodgett, corporate lawyer
• Corinne Blodgett, his wife
• Mr. Austin, a.k.a. Mr. Armistead
• Lons Sondauer, a.k.a. Louis Skagerlund

Synopsis: In the midst of wartime Washington DC, the story follows two couples: Cass and Molly Crane - Cass being expected home on leave any moment, and Molly a nurse's aide. D.J. Durbin, wealthy industrialist and his wife Courtney. The couples are connected as Cass and Courtney had intended to marry before she met Durbin. On the side is Randy Fleming, Molly's former boyfriend. Problems begin when Cass notifies Courtney (not his wife) that he will be home any moment. Then Durbin's chauffeur, Achille, dies after drinking poisoned alcohol in the Crane's home - but for whom was it intended?

Please note there are troubling references to animal abuse/killing (cats and kittens) as well as two instances of the N-word, as used in the old colloquial expression about a woodpile. Cat lovers may wish to take a pass on this one.

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

Three at Wolfe's Door by Rex Stout, 1960

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)

This title contains three novellas.

Poison à la  Carte: Wolfe's cook, Fritz Brenner, is hired by a gourmet club to prepare their annual dinner. Ten members are seated, and the courses are served by ten women hired from an acting agency. One member, Vincent Pyle, a theatrical producer, is known by several of the women as having made advances toward them. He suddenly becomes ill and within hours is dead of aresenic poisoning. Wolfe's task is to find which of the ten women did it.

Mini-review: It is difficult to follow which woman served which member unless it is charted out, and I didn't bother. They narrow the field down quickly, then use a clever ruse to make the killer reveal herself. The coaching and use of Zoltan, a kitchen worker, is quite enjoyable.

Method Three for Murder: Archie has one of his occasional spats with Wolfe and, as usual, quits. On his way out the door, he encounters Mira Holt coming in. She hires him on the spot for a consultation, but has a thin story. Complicating matters is the cab at the curb, empty except for a dead woman inside. Archie suggests to her three methods of dealing with the police: Say nothing, Say the whole truth, or pick a simple lie and stick to it.

Mini-review: There's a few too many characters for this short novella, and the timeline analysis is a bit overdone, but the major characters are well done. The tough-talking woman cabbie is a delight.

The Rodeo Murder: Archie's flame, wealthy Lily Rowan, hosts a contest at her rooftop penthouse. Cowboys toss a lasso over the edge, and try to lasso a horse ridden slowly past the building. One cowboy can't find his rope, and when he does, it is around the neck of one of the other cowboys - dead. 

Mini-review: The cowboy drawl and vocabulary got tiring pretty quickly. That plus the ridiculous setup of a lasso contest in Manhattan made the whole thing quite unreal; and the sorting out of alibis tedious. Worst of the three stories.

 

The White Elephant Mystery by Ellery Queen, Jr., 1950

 

About the author: Ellery Queen Jr. is a house pseudonym for this young adult series of mysteries.

 

Major characters:

• Djuna
• Tommy Williams, his friend
• Miss Annie Ellery, Djuna's guardian(?)
• Mr. George Boots, carpenter
• "Socker" Furlong, reporter
• "Cannonball" McGinnty, state trooper
• Alvah Grant, founder of the circus (dead prior to story)
• Sonny Grant, Alvah's son, new owner of the circus
• Norman "Spitfire" Peters, aerialist
• Trixie Cella, Spitfire's wife, aerialist
• Ned Barrow, Spitfire's catcher

Synopsis: Djuna and his friend Tommy Williams are excited when the circus comes to town, and obtain free passes from local carpenter George Boots. They meet up with their friends (from previous books) reporter "Socker" Furlong and state trooper "Cannonball" McGinnty. They learn the circus has a new owner, Sonny Grant, who inherited it after the passing of his father, Alvah Grant. Sonny is learning the business now himself, and relations are strained between him and the circus staff.

Socker and Cannonball warn Djuna to look out for grifters who travel with the circus, and urge them to only observe, but take no action themselves. As the circus opens, one grifter is caught, and aerialist "Spitfire" Peters is injured from a fall during an acrobatic maneuver. Before Spitfire is taken to the hospital, he whispers "The White Elephant" to Djuna. This is apparently some sort of clue. There are two possible white elephants in sight - a real one (enhanced with paint) in the circus, and an iron statue of one on old Alvah's Grant's lawn. Djuna finds a third one while searching for Alvah's lost will.

Review: There is a lot going on in this young adult novel, including some more grown-up themes that you won't find in the Hardy Boys. I was surprised at how young and independent Djuna and Tommy are, perhaps age 12 or 13, going from town to town with little supervision, riding around in a police car, sneaking into the hospital, and staying at a hotel with no adults along. 

The story revolves around the coming to town of the circus. The descriptions of the complex setup and arrangements are well done, and show inside knowledge of how it all comes together. Mixed in to this are some shady characters, grifters (with explanations of how some grifting is accomplished), threats, a shooting, explanations of legal implications of wills and the results of dying intestate.

This story brings to my mind how kids used to roam around town unsupervised (as I did) and never got into any messes, so unlike today when they are monitored - in person or electronically - every moment.

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

The titles in the Ellery Queen Jr. series are:

• The Black Dog Mystery (1941)  
• The Golden Eagle Mystery (1942)  
• The Green Turtle Mystery (1944)  
• The Red Chipmunk Mystery (1946)  
• The Brown Fox Mystery (1948)  
• The White Elephant Mystery (1950)  
• The Yellow Cat Mystery (1952)  
• The Blue Herring Mystery (1954)  
• The Purple Bird Mystery (1966) 
• The Mystery of the Merry Magician (1954) 
• The Mystery of the Vanished Victim (1954) 

The Mystery of the Gold Box by Valentine Williams, 1932

 

Also published as The Gold Comfit Box

 

Series: Dr. Adolph Grundt #5

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:

• Philip Clavering, alias James Dunlop, British Secret Service, and our narrator
• Garnet Wolseley, operative for British Secret Service
• Charles Forrest, British Secret Service (dead at opening of story)
• Dr. Adolph Grundt, German spy
• Madeleine Stafford, German agent
• Amschel Lipschutz, German agent H. 79, (dead at opening of story)

Locale: Belgium, Germany, and England

Synopsis: British agent Philip Clavering, operating in Brussels, is sent to the scene of a train wreck. The train has been sabotaged, resulting in the deaths of British agent Charles Forrest and German saboteur Amschel Lipschutz. Clavering's mission is to recover a small box carried by Forrest, which contains a list of British agents operating in Germany. Clavering finds the box apparently taken by German agent Madeleine Stafford, slightly injured in the wreck. Dr. Adolph Grundt calls for her at her hotel, and they cross the border into Germany.

 

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie, 1928

 

dustjackets.com

 

Series: Hercule Poirot #6

Locale: England and France

Major characters:

• Rufus Van Aldin, American millionaire
• Major Richard Knighton, his secretary
• Ruth Kettering, his daughter
• Derek Kettering, Ruth's husband
• Ada Mason, Ruth's maid
• Armand, Comte de la Roche, a pretender
• Mme. Mirelle, a Parisian dancer
• Mary Ann (Mrs. Samuel) Harfield, Emma's cousin
• Katherine Grey, Emma's companion, with the grey eyes
• Lady Tamplin, Katherine's cousin
• Lenox Tamplin, Lady T''s daughter

Synopsis:

American millionaire Rufus Van Aldin has presented his daughter, Ruth Kettering, with a selection of priceless rubies as a gift. He is also trying to persuade her to divorce her husband, Derek Kettering, who is having an affair with Parisian dancer Mirelle. Ruth agrees. Ruth is no stranger to infidelity herself, having occasional trysts in Paris with greasy gigilo Armand, who has taken the illegitimate title of Comte de la Roche.

Wealthy matriarch Emma Harfield has passed away (prior to the story), leaving her entire estate to her long time companion, Katherine Grey. Katherine enjoys her new wealth with a spending spree on new clothes and travel to the Riviera. Two grasping relatives proceed to suck up to Katherine with an eye on getting part of her booty: Mary Anne (Mrs. Samuel) Harfield, Emma's cousin; and Lady Tamplin, Katherine's cousin.

Ruth takes The Blue Train to the Riviera, and meets Katherine on board. Unknown to Ruth, her husband Derek is also on board. The next morning, Ruth is found murdered in her compartment; and the rubies missing. Derek stands to inherit her entire fortune, but if he is the murderer, why take the rubies? The police suspect the Comte de la Roche, who was also on board. Yet another passenger is Hercule Poirot who is asked by Van Aldin to find the murderer.

 

The Norths Meet Murder by Frances & Richard Lockridge, 1940

 

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Image only - no review

Green Hazard by Manning Coles, 1945

 

Image only - no review.

The Door by Mary Roberts Rinehart, 1930

 

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About the author: Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876 – 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie, although her first mystery novel was published 14 years before Christie's first novel in 1920. Rinehart is considered the source of the phrase "The butler did it" from her novel The Door (1930), although the novel does not use the exact phrase. Rinehart is also considered to have invented the "Had-I-But-Known" school of mystery writing, with the publication of The Circular Staircase (1908). (from a Wikipedia article).

The Bell household:

• Elizabeth Jane Bell, protagonist and narrator
• Mary Martin,  secretary
• Joseph Holmes,  butler
• Robert White,  chauffeur
• Norah Moriarty,  cook
• Clara Jenkins,  housemaid
• Abner Jones,  gardener
• Sarah Gittings,  nurse

The Somers household, of New York City:

• Howard Somers 
• Katherine Somers, Howard's wife (Elizabeth's cousin)
• Judy Somers, their daughter (Elizabeth's niece)
• Wallie Somers, Howard's son by first marriage
• Jim Blake, Katherine's brother (Elizabeth's cousin)
  
• Dick Carter, Judy's boyfriend

Locale: not stated, but convenient to New York City

Synopsis: Our narrator Miss Elizabeth Jane Bell lives "alone" (with her staff of seven!), while her niece Katherine Somers is staying with her. One evening nurse Sarah Gittings goes out to walk the two dogs, and does not return. While awaiting Sarah, an intruder is seen in the house, but escapes. A search finds the dogs tied to a tree on the adjacent Larimer Lot, and later Sarah's body found in a  "sewer" which is a tall circular brick standpipe.

Review:

We have a nice opening sequence where Elizabeth describes the characters, and an in-depth description of the house floor plan. There is a sketch map of the property (above) showing poor planning in locating the garage (how does one get their car into it?); a sketch map of the house would be valuable as well. Once all the descriptions are done, we get to the story.

It is not clear why a nurse is employed, as Elizabeth seems in perfect health.

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

The Ringer Returns by Edgar Wallace, 1931

 

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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.

Major characters:

• Henry Arthur Milton, "The Ringer"
• Superintendent Bliss, Scotland Yard
• Detective Inspector Mander, Bliss' "incompetent assistant"

Locale: England

Synopsis: This is a collection of 17 short stories featuring "The Ringer", a master-of-disguise character who operates outside the law to bring his own brand of justice to evildoers; while constantly pursued by Superintendent Bliss of Scotland Yard. Some criminals The Ringer chases are murderers, but there are also scam artists and thieves. The stories are standalone, but some refer to characters in the preceding ones, so reading in order is recommended.

Review: The Ringer is from the same mold as Leslie Charteris' The Saint. He operates outside the law, sometimes with a wink-wink from Scotland Yard; with a goal of restoring fortune to those who have lost it. He is always pursued by the authorities, but always manages to fool them. One aspect which sets him apart from The Saint is that The Ringer is a master of disguise, and this figures in most of the stories as he uses impersonation frequently.

With This Ring by Mignon G. Eberhart, 1941

 

About the author: Mignon Good (1899-1996) was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1929 her first crime novel was published featuring 'Sarah Keate', a nurse and 'Lance O'Leary', a police detective. This couple appeared in another four novels. Over the next forty years she wrote a novel nearly every year. In 1971 she won the Grand Master award from the Mystery Writers of America. (from Goodreads)

Major characters:

• Sophronia "Rony" Chatonier, 23, our protagonist
• Eric Chatonier, her invalid newlywed husband
• Blanche Radoczi, Eric's sister
• Turo Radoczi, Blanche's husband, a musician
• Mimi Chantonier, Eric's sister
• Buford "Buff" Scott, Mimi's boyfriend, a lawyer
• Judge Henry Yarrow, friend of the family
• Stuart Westover, Eric's friend, to whom Rony is attracted
• Catherine Sedley, the femme fatale in the cottage
• Lewis Sedley, Catherine's ex-con husband
• Magnolia, the maid/housekeeper/nurse

Locale: Louisiana bayou country

Synopsis: Sophronia "Rony" Brace went through a hurried marriage with Eric Chatonier, of Louisana's bayou country. Eric has a heart condition and is quite delicate. At the wedding Rony takes an immediate crush on the best man, Stuart Westover; but tries to put him out of her mind. Eric takes her to Louisiana where she meets the rest of the clan at Belle Fleur:

Eric has two sisters - Blanche (married to musician Turo Radoczi) and Mimi (with boyfriend lawyer Buff Scott). Blonde femme fatale Catherine Sedley lives in a cottage on the property, awaiting the release of ex-con husband Lewis; with divorce in her plans. Family friend Judge Henry Yarrow lives on a small yacht anchored in the bayou. 

Eric makes a new will, leaving everything to Rony; and cutting out his sisters. Judge Yarrow plans to oppose it. Eric gives Rony a note to deliver to the judge on the yacht, and when she gets there she finds him dead. She is immediately suspected of the murder, in order to stop his opposition to the will; so she will inherit the full estate and marry Stuart Westover.

Review:

An enjoyable mystery, albeit with a lot of MGE formula:

• Exotic locale
• Square 2-story house with balcony all the way around
• Love triangle of woman (protagonist), stuck with bad man, in love with unattainable good man
• Femme fatale on the sidelines
• Protagonist wrongly accused of murder
• Big storm, power failure

A good several night's read, placing me in the Louisiana bayou country!

Still Life by Louise Penny, 2005

 

Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1

About the author: Louise Penny is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (seven times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal. (Goodreads)

Major characters:

• Jane Neal, artist, the victim
• Clara and Peter Morrow, starving artists
• Gabriel Dubeau and Olivier Brulé, bistro proprietors
• Myrna Landers, bookshop owner
• Ben Hadley
• Timmer Hadley, Ben's mother (dead prior to story)
• Matthew and Suzanne Croft, and son Philippe
• Yolande Fontaine, Jane's niece; and André Malenfont
• Chief Inspector Armand Gamache
• Inspector Jean Guy Beauvoir
• Agent Yvette Nichol

Locale: (fictional) Three Pines, Québec

Synopsis: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to the village of Three Pines to investigate the Thanksgiving morning death of artist Jane Neal. She has been killed by an arrow, and it is unclear if it is a hunting accident or intentional murder. Gamache is accompanied by his second in command, Jean Guy Beauvoir, and rookie agent Yvette Nichol; who struggles to get on the good side of Gamache.

In trying to find a motive for her death, Gamache uncovers secrets among the locals. The body was found by Ben Hadley, whose mother Timmer died years before; and her death is somehow connected to this one. Jane had been secretive about her house, never allowing anyone inside. Jane's best friend, Clara Morrow, tries to find a hidden message in Jane's last painting, Fair Day. 

Review: This is my first reading in this series and I like it. There is no gore or sex, which are turnoffs for me in mysteries (which I why I concentrate on Golden Age for the most part). The action takes place in an isolated village in southern Québec, not far from the Vermont(?) border. 

Armand Gamarche reminds me of Richard Jury in the Martha Grimes series. He can get terse and testy at times, and treats rookie Yvette Nichol with cringy tough love at times. An unresolved question for me is what happened to Nichol? She got sent back to Montréal on a bus near the end, but will she return in future titles? I hope she gets her act together and returns. 

 

Old Lover's Ghost by Leslie Ford, 1939

 

dustjackets.com

Series: Colonel Primrose #7

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:

• Grace Latham, our narrator and protagonist
• Bill Latham, 17, her son
• Joe Anders, wrangler/guide
• Cecily Chapman, 23
• George Pelham, 33, has his eyes on Cecily
• Steven Grant, a.k.a. Sam Graham, Cecily's former fiancé - is he dead or alive?
• Mrs. --- Chapman, Cecily's grandmother
• Colonel John Primrose
• Sergeant Phineas T. Buck

Locale: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Synopsis: Cecily Chapman was engaged to Steven Grant. He contracted infantile paralysis (e.g., polio) and as a result, apparantly commited suicide in a car crash. Her grandmother, Mrs. --- Chapman, organizes a horse pack trip through Yellowstone National Park to help Cecily forget. The trip includes her friend, Grace Latham, and her son Bill Latham; George Pelham, and guide Joe Anders. Pelham was a co-worker of Grant, and pressures Cecily to marry him, which she doesn't want at all.

In the park they encounter a ranger by the name of Sam Graham, who turns out to be Steven Grant - believed dead for three years. Cecily is torn between her love for him and anger at his deception. She then comes to a terrible realization: If this is Steven, then whose body was in the car wreck three years ago?

Review:  Thoroughly enjoyed this one, and it serves as a virtual travelogue of Yellowstone as well. Some portions of the writing I didn't understand too well, such as the episode of "discovering" Steven Grant in the ranger cabin - after I reread it carefully I was able to follow the action.  

If you enjoy mysteries set in national parks, murder on a pack trip through a national park is also the theme of Eleven Came Back by Mabel Seeley (1943). 

 

Death on the Last Train by George Bellairs, 1949

 

Series: Inspector Thomas Littlejohn #12

About the author: George Bellairs is the pseudonym of Harold Blundell (1902-1982), a British crime writer and bank manager. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the detective Inspector Thomas Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the pseudonym Hilary Landon. (wikipedia)

Major characters:

• Detective-Inspector Thomas Littlejohn, Scotland Yard
• Detective-Sergeant Robert Cromwell, Scotland Yard
• Timothy Bellis
• Bessie Emmott, Bellis' lady friend
• Harold Claypott, a drunkard
• Dr. Henry Cooper, police surgeon
• Leah and Constance Claypott, sisters of Harold
• Lambert Hiss, railway ticket collector
• Humphrey Godwin, a witness

Locale: England

Synopsis: Detective-Inspector Thomas Littlejohn is on a country branch line to Ellinborne (the last stop). The train makes an unexpected stop due to a red signal, and during the stop, passenger Timothy Bellis is shot dead. Suicide is suspected, as Bellis had been the recipient of a series of poison pen letters, promising revenge on a financial collapse he had caused. His girlfriend, Bessie Emmott, believes it was murder.

Review: How did I ever miss this author? This was the first I had read of his. The story is fast packed and full of humorous incidents and outrageous calamities; in the manner of Manning Coles. Especially enjoyable is the chapter-long account of a concert, having little to do with the plot but a lot of fun as one of the characters, Lambert Hiss, solos on the trombone. 

I set out to locate more of his stories - found a nice collection for the Kindle in the 99 cent bin on Amazon!

 

Four Frightened Women by George Harmon Coxe, 1939

Series: Kent Murdock #4

About the author: George Harmon Coxe (1902-1984) began writing in the nickel and dime pulps for pennies a word. He was a particularly prolific author, writing a total of 63 novels, his last published in 1975. The Mystery Writers of America named him a Grand Master in 1964. (condensed from fantastic fiction)

 (no review)

Ellery Queen, Master Detective by Ellery Queen, 1941

 

dustjackets.com

This title was also pubished as The Vanishing Corpse (Pyramid Books, 1968).

About the author: According to Francis M. Nevins,  this title (based on the screenplay) was ghost written by Laurence Dwight Smith (1895-1952). (from Ellery Queen, A Website on Deduction by Kurt Sercu)

 

Major characters:

• John Braun, health promoter
• Lydia Braun, his wife
• Barbara Braun, their estranged daughter
• Cornelia Mullins, Braun's assistant
• Rocky Taylor, Cornelia's husband
• Claude L. Zachary, Braun's lawyer and manager
• Dr. Jim Rogers, Braun's health article ghost writer
• Dr. Garten and Dr. Henderson, cancer specialists
•  Amos, Braun's gardener; and Joseph, his pet raven
• Nikki Porter, Barbara's roommate, a mystery writer
• Ellery Queen, Private Investigator
• Richard Queen, his father
• Dr. Samuel Prouty, medical examiner

Locale: New York City

Synopsis: Famous New York City health farm owner John Braun calls his employees in to tell them he has camcer, and perhaps six weeks to live. He is closing the health farm. He is also changing his will to leave his estate - exclusively - to his wife Lydia Braun. He is cutting out their daughter, Barbara Braun due to a disagreement over her marriage plans. She wants to marry Dr. Jim Rogers, who Braun employs as a ghost writer of his health articles; but Braun disapproves. 

With death imminent, the family tries to locate Barbara with the help of the police. She is staying - well, hiding - with mystery writer Nikki Porter, who resembles her. Ellery Queen tries to help out, and goes to the apartment to find her. Nikki Porter pretends to be Barbara, and is taken to the Braun home.

Nikki, thinking this a swell plot for a mystery, finds her way into Braun's suite. She observes him lock the door from the inside, then retreat to his bedroom. Later, trying to find her way out, she discovers his body - with its throat cut. 

Review: This story introduces Nikki Porter, who will become EQ's girlfriend throughout the series. This story also plugs several other EQ books along the way, Hardy Boys style. The health farm fad seems reminded me of Jack LaLanne and his fitness empire, which flourished a few years after this story. 

The story moves right along. I had to reread some to get a handle on how the Braun suite was laid out, as that is pertinent to the plot; and to understand how Nikki got herself locked inside.

The body gets lost - twice - in a couple of amusing episodes, and the reactions of the indignant medical examiner are enjoyable.

The hook behind the disappearing murder weapon is a stunt recycled in later EQ books as well.

It's hard to see, but the illustration on the cover is Claud Zachary kneeling on the floor as he throws the books of the business into the furnace. 

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

 

The Case of the Sulky Girl by Erle Stanley Gardner, 1933

 

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Series: Perry Mason #2

About the author: Erle Stanley Gardner (1889 – 1970) was an American lawyer and author. He is best known for the Perry Mason series of detective stories. The best-selling American author of the 20th century at the time of his death, Gardner also published under numerous pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray and Robert Parr. (wikipedia)

Major characters:

• Frances Celane, the sulky girl
• Rob Gleason, her husband
• Edward Norton, her uncle
• Arthur Crinston, Norton's business partner
• Don Graves, Norton's secretary
• Edna Mayfield, Norton's housekeeper
• Pete Devoe, Norton's chauffeur
• George Blackman, Devoe's attorney

Locale: Los Angeles

Synopsis:  Frances Celane consults attorney Perry Mason regarding conditions of her late father's will. His estate was left in a 'spendthrift trust', in which a trustee has control of the funds and provides an allowance as he sees fit. By the terms of the trust, she would forfeit most of the estate if she marries before age 25. She is 23 now, wants marry Rob Gleason, and wants Mason to find a loophole to allow her to marry without losing her interest in the estate.

The trustee is her uncle, Edward Norton. Mason first meets with Norton's business partner, Arthur Crinston, to learn how to best approach Norton. Norton turns out to be a tough customer, and tells Mason he does not want to turn the estate over to her; as he suspects she is being blackmailed. Mason then learns Celane and Gleason are already married.

Norton is found dead, and circumstantial evidence initially points to his chauffeur, Pete Devoe. Then secretary Don Graves turns out to be a witness to the murder, having seen it occur through a window. Now Frances Celane and Rob Gleason are implicated.

Review: This is one of the first Masons, and I do like the early ones. There are some aspects which are left off the later ones, such as keeping the whiskey bottle in the desk drawer to share with the newspaper reporters. I do like the thorough physical description of Mason as well as the instances when he paces the carpet with his thumbs hooked in the armholes of his vest.

The witness episode is interesting, although I found it thin that a glance from a moving car 275 feet away could reveal anything at all, much less identify people and their clothing through a window. My driveway is a comparable length - 300 feet - and I can tell if there is a person at the other end, but that's about all!

Other than that point, this is an engaging story, and has a small cast, so it was easy to remember who's who. It also lacks the confusing Mason stunts of switching things around found in later stories. 

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie, 1929

 

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Series: Superintendent Battle #2 (of 5)

 

Major characters:

• Jimmy Thesiger
• Gerald Wade, the late sleeper, victim #1
• Loraine Wade, his half-sister
• Bill Eversleigh
• Ronny Devereux, victim #2
• Lord Caterham, owner of Chimneys
• Lady Eileen Brent, "Bundle", Lord Caterham's daughter
• Tredwell, butler
• MacDonald, gardener
• Sir Oswald and Lady Marie Coote, renters of Chimneys
• Rupert Bateman, Sir Oswald's secretary
• George Lomax, "Codders", a cabinet minister

Locale: near London

Synopsis: Gerry Wade was known for sleeping late. At a country house party hosted by Sir Oswald and Lady Maria Coote, Wade's friends decide to play a trick on him and stash eight alarm clocks around his bedroom. He fails to rise in the morning, and is found dead. Seven of the clocks have been lined up on the mantle, and the eighth is found outside on the lawn.

Jimmy Thesinger (Gerry's friend ), Loraine Wade (Gerry's half-sister) , and Lady Eileen Brent, a.k.a. "Bundle" (daughter of the country house owners) team up to try and find the murderer. Bundle is driving to London and thinks she has hit a man (Ronny Devereux) but investigation shows he was shot. 

Several mentions of 'Seven Dials' lead the investigation to the Seven Dials Club in the district of the same name. Bundle locates a secret meeting room in the club, and infiltrates the secret Seven Dials Society; in which the seven members disguise their identity by wearing clock face masks, each set to a different number.

Review: A thoroughly enjoyable and fast-moving tale, with Bundle as the take-charge star investigator. There are lots of humorous episodes, including elderly George Lomax's repeated marriage proposals to Bundle; and the time she feigned unconsciousness and just relished listening to everyone being concerned as they hovered over her. It was fun trying to match up the members of the Society (known only as numbers 1-7) with their real identities, and of course, the big reveal of the true nature of the Society. Agatha had a bit of fun leading the reader off in several directions - such as does Seven Dials refer to the seven clocks on the mantle, the London district, the club in the district, or the seven dial masks on the Society members? Sevens and dials abound throughout.

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

 

Daughter of Fu Manchu by Sax Rohmer, 1930

 

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A free e-book version is available from this page at fadedpage.com.

Series: Dr. Fu Manchu #4

About the author: Sax Rohmer was a pseudonym of Arthur Henry "Sarsfield" Ward (1883 – 1959).  His most popular series of novels featuried the master criminal Fu Manchu. Many of his works were serialized in newspapers and later combined into book editions.

Major characters:

• Sir Lionel Barton, Orientalist
• Rima Barton, photographer, Sir Lionel's niece
• Shan Greville, our narrator, Rima's boyfriend
• Dr. Petrie
• Dr. Forester, chemist
• Ali Mahmoud, headman
• Madame Ingomar, a.k.a. Fah Lo Suee, Fu Manchu's daughter
• Sir Denis Nayland Smth, Scotland Yard
• Detective-Inspector Fletcher

Locale: Egypt and London

Synopsis: An archeological dig consisting of Sir Lionel Barton, Shan Greville (our narrator), Rima Baron, Dr. Petrie, Dr. Forester, and local guide Ali Mahmoud are working in Luxor, Egypt at a site called Lafleur's Tomb (also called Tomb of the Black Ape) and its access tunnel Lafleur's shaft.  Sir Lionel is found - apparently dead - in his hut. The hut is closed and locked, and upon their return, find his body missing. He is later found comatose inside a sarcophagus in Lafleur's Tomb. Upon injection of an antidote, he revives. 

Suspicion falls on a mysterious woman, Madame Ingomar, who is revealed to be Fah Lo Suee, the daughter of Dr. Fu Manchu. Shan Greville is fascinated by her, although Rima is his steady girl. Shan is captured, drugged, and spirited back to England; where he is kept prisoner under Fah Lo Suee's power - and meets up with her father, the legendary Fu Manchu.

Review: This story has all the fun elements of an Egyptian adventure: tombs, sarcophogi, secret tunnels; along the Chinese elements of mysterious women and of course, Fu Manchu. Shan can't keep his eyes off Fah Lo Suee, and she toys with him mercilessly. It takes until the climax to find out what happens, whether he lives or dies, and with which woman. This is an enjoyable escape with lots of mystical oriental elements. I found myself wanting to go to Chinatown and search the back alleys looking for some Chinese food to complete the experience.