The Films of Agatha Christie: Review

The Films of Agatha Christie (1993) by Scott Palmer was, then, the most complete and up-to-date compilation of visual adaptations of Christie's work both in the cinema and on television. He presents the films in chronological order from Die Abenteuer GMBH (aka Adventurers Inc), made in Germany in 1928, through all the favorites such as Ten Little Indians, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile up to the series starring David Suchet as Poirot and the incomparable Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Palmer gives us detailed synopses of each film and episode without spoiling the ending of any of the stories. He also gives information on changes made in the novels and short stories when the script adaptations were made.

While this book does provide invaluable information about the films and the actors involved in each production as well as being full of photographs from the films and episodes, what keeps this from being a five-star effort is the fact that once Palmer begins describing the series starring David Suchet and Joan Hickson he seems to weary of his work. We are treated to a pretty standard final summation episode after episode: "The usual actors (fill in the names of the standard players for Poirot or Marple episodes) all give their usual exemplary performance and the directors and filming crew do their usual fine job putting the thing together." The last third of the book is far less enjoyable to read than earlier summaries. Still--this is a fine reference book and one would hope that an updated version would be produced now that Suchet has given us the final Poirot story. And one would hope that a more consistent (and original) enthusiasm could be maintained in the synopses. ★★★★

Stories of the Supernatural: Review

Tales of deadly, crawling fears that lurk in the darkness--feeding on human guilt...greed...and passion (from the front cover)

Stories of the Supernatural (1963) is an anthology of spooky tales selected by Dorothy L. Sayers. This is a mixture of straight-up ghost stories (see "The Trial for Murder") and open hoaxes to stories that seem to have no answer and those which have a tenuous connection to the supernatural at best. Short story collections tend to be a mixed bag when it comes to quality as well--and this one is no different. "The Trial for Murder," "The Open Window," "The Monkey's Paw," and "August Heat" are all very strong and very affecting stories. The remainder are fair (at best) and a couple are downright mediocre ("Where Their Fire Is Not Quenched" and "Proof"). To be honest, I have read collections in the past that were much more even in quality and contained more overall creepiness per page. There are not nearly as man "tales of deadly, crawling fears" here as the front cover promises. ★★ and a half.

Side-note: my edition of this collection has apparently been taken over by supernatural forces which want us to focus on marriage. It is fine until "Mrs. Amworth" by E.F. Benson--of which, it provides only six pages. Then it turns into "Making Marriage Stick" and a couple of other chapters of a womanly advice/marriage book--meanwhile replacing two listed short stories and chopping off the beginning of "Where Their Fire Is Not Quenched" by May Sinclair. 


"The Trial for Murder" by Charles Allston & Charles Dickens: the strange story as by a juror and ultimately the foreman on a murder trial. The man finds that of all those involved in the trial he alone can see and hear the ghost of the murdered man--unless he touches another person.

"The Open Window" by "Saki" (H. H. Munro): Eccentric hypochondriac Mr. Nuttel visits the country at the urging of his doctor. His sister provides him with introductions to many of the residents, including the Sappletons, and is received by Mrs. Sappleton's niece, Vera. While waiting for her aunt, Vera explains to Nuttel that her aunt keeps the window open hoping that her uncle will return from a doomed hunting trip. Nuttel, who is already very anxious, becomes unnerved when someone...or something...really does approach the window.

"The Novel of the Black Seal" by Arthur Machen: A man gradually uncovers the secrets of a race of pre-humans hiding in the Welsh hills, and the true nature of a hybrid, idiot child fathered by one of them.

"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs: A classic, often reprinted story.  At its heart, a warning to "be careful what you wish for....you just might get it."

"Mrs. Amworth" by E. F. Benson: a story of vampirism which centers on a rather "jolly" and vivacious vampire who prefers her blood young and male.

"August Heat" by W. F. Harvey: Two men meet, as if by chance, on a hot August day but each has had a vision of sorts about the other's future.  And the "heat is stifling.  It is enough to send a man mad."

"The Anticipator" by Morley Roberts: a tale of two rival writers. Esplan is a fine writer--his stories are considered the inspired works of true genius. His foe, Burford, is his opposite--every bit as bad as Esplan is good.  But lately Burford has started publishing stories with the exact same plot as Esplan has been working on for weeks, making Esplan's tales unsaleable...or worse, making it seem that he is plagiarizing his inept competitor [but, seriously, why would he?]. As Esplan becomes enraged and bitter, he decides it is time to get rid of Burford. But then things take an unexpected turn....

"Where Their Fire Is Not Quenched" by May Sinclair: What happens when two people have an affair, tire of it, and then die? Well...apparently if they're on the naughty list, then they're doomed to be with each other for eternity....

"The Seventh Man" by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch: An indefinable story of six men stranded in the Arctic winter who do not seem to be alone. They seem to be on the verge of cracking up when one of them is caught outside and nearly frozen to death--as the men work on reviving him, some see an extra "seventh" man in the cabin.

"Proof" by Naomi Royde-Smith: A civil servant is hounded by his wife to tell her state secrets. While on holiday he meets a young woman and falls in love with her. This becomes the only secret he manages to keep during his whole life. When he dies, his wife suspects that there was a major secret that he never told...she's determined to reach him in the after-life and pry it out of him....

"Lukundoo" by Edward Lucas White: White's most frequently anthologized story, is the tale of an American explorer in a remote section of Africa who incurs the wrath of the local witch doctor, who casts a spell on him. Hundreds of sore pustules erupt all over the explorer's body. As these develop, it becomes clear that each sore is actually a sort of homunculus: a tiny African man, emerging head-first from within the explorer's flesh. He must take extreme measures to rid himself of the curse....

TNB--Children in Crime: The Baker Street Irregulars

The Tuesday Night Bloggers have returned from our August summer holiday and the topic for September is, appropriately enough, Children in Crime. As the little darlings go back to school, we are turning our thoughts to child detectives and even perhaps the evil that lurks behind the innocent faces of childish criminals. If you'd like to join us for discussion of the youngsters in the mystery genre--particularly Golden Age youngsters, but all are welcome--then please stop in every Tuesday as we gather at Kate's place over at crossexamingcrime. Pull up a chair and have a scone or two...

What mystery lover, especially those of us who came to the genre young, hasn't imagined herself as the heroine of their very own detective adventure? From the time my mom introduced me to Nancy Drew (second grade), I spent my time--when not reading--concocting mysteries of my own. Whether I was roping my friends into playing Nancy Drew with me on the playground or scribbling my stories about my very own version of the Bob-Whites from Trixie Belden, I wanted to be solving mysteries. I wish I still had my little pocket-size notebooks where I wrote such thrillers as "The Mystery of the the Diamond Bracelet" (the only story title I remember). If I had discovered Sherlock Holmes a little earlier, I might have imagined myself as one of his youthful helpers, the Baker Street Irregulars.

"It is the unofficial force—the Baker Street irregulars."
     As he spoke, there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs, a clatter of high voices, and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs. There was some show of discipline among them, despite their tumultuous entry, for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. One of their number, taller and older than the others, stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow. (The Sign of Four)

The Irregulars first appear in The Study in Scarlet--helping Holmes track down a particular cab which is of interest in the case and we get our first glimpse of a street urchin named Wiggins. The Irregulars also play a crucial role in The Sign of Four, once again helping Holmes trace a particular steam launch which he believes to be involved. As Holmes notes, these street children can go everywhere and see everything...and no one really notices them. They make the ideal assistants for the consulting detective. When reading the rest of the Holmes stories, I often wished that there had been more of the Irregulars--giving them a brief moment in the spotlight in any of the stories that focused more on London. 

One reason I have the Irregulars on my mind is that I recently read a children's mystery called The Case of the Baker Street Irregular (1978) by Robert Newman.

It is the first in a series of books featuring Andrew Craigie (later Tillet...as explained by the events in this novel), the Baker Street Irregulars, and, in various amounts, Sherlock Holmes himself. Andrew Craigie's life has been a mysterious one. He has grown up under the care of his Aunt Agnes. He had always been told that his father was dead and his mother was far away--and even though she couldn't be with him that she loved him very much. But when Aunt Agnes dies and Andrew is taken in by his tutor, Mr. Dennison, Andrew begins to dwell on the questions that have haunted him: Who was his father and is he really dead? Where is his mother? If she really does love him, why didn't she come for him when Aunt Agnes died? And if she couldn't why didn't she at least write?  

Before Andrew can spend much time thinking about this, his new guardian takes him London "on business." Mr. Dennison is aloof--promising visits to the zoo, Madame Toussauds, and other places of note--but taking off directly after meals. Andrew is given leave to explore on his own and makes friends with Sara "Screamer" Wiggins (sister to Sam Wiggins who is one of Mr. Sherlock Holmes's famous Baker Street Irregulars). When Andrew returns from one of their outings one evening, he observes Mr. Dennison walking towards their lodgings ahead of him. Just before the man can enter the lodging house, he is accosted by a man in a growler and the cab's driver. It seems to Andrew that Dennison is reluctant to get into the cab and as it passes him he notices that the cabby, a heavset man with a broken nose, is grinning. Mrs. Gurney, owner of the lodging house, convinces him to wait to report anything. After all, gentlemen who come up to London sometimes meet up with unexpected people and perhaps Mr. Dennison wasn't so much reluctant as surprised to see the men. But by the next afternoon Dennison still hasn't returned, a visit to the local police station is unsuccessful, and Andrew is chased, robbed, and left injured. Fortunately, the Wiggins siblings find him and take him in.   

Meanwhile, Mr. Holmes is investigating some mysterious incidents involving the death of Lord Lowther and the theft of certain paintings left in his legacy to his son Adam as well as a rash of bombings in the city. It isn't long before Andrew's hunt for his missing guardian and the Great Detective's search for the paintings lead to the same place. Andrew, with the help of Screamer, will brave some of the worst sections in London before finding Mr. Denison....and, incidentally, the answers to some of his earlier questions. Andrew may wind up with a parent after all. 

This is a very promising debut in what looks to be an interesting children's/young adult mystery series. As much as I enjoy Holmes stories, it was refreshing to see this told primarily from the viewpoint of Andrew and the Irregulars. I've often thought books based on the Irregulars' adventures with Holmes (told from their viewpoint) would make for good stories. Andrew is given an interesting background and, while there is some coincidence at play here, I thought things worked out for him in a fairly plausible way. It is also intriguing that this children's mystery has a fairly adult plot--this is no "secret of the missing jewels." There is major danger and the kids just barely prevent a man from being shot before their eyes. Lots of adventure and intrigue and much to like in this first book of the series.

The Case of the Baker Street Irregular: Review

The Case of the Baker Street Irregular (1978) by Robert Newman is the first in a series of books featuring Andrew Craigie (later Tillet...as explained by the events in this novel), the Baker Street Irregulars, and, in various amounts, Sherlock Holmes himself. Andrew Craigie's life has been a mysterious one. He has grown up under the care of his Aunt Agnes. He had always been told that his father was dead and his mother was far away--and even though she couldn't be with him that she loved him very much. But when Aunt Agnes dies and Andrew is taken in by his tutor, Mr. Dennison, Andrew begins to dwell on the questions that have haunted him: Who was his father and is he really dead? Where is his mother? If she really does love him, why didn't she come for him when Aunt Agnes died? And if she couldn't why didn't she at least write?

Before Andrew can spend much time thinking about this, his new guardian takes him London "on business." Mr. Dennison is aloof--promising visits to the zoo, Madame Toussauds, and other places of note--but taking off directly after meals. Andrew is given leave to explore on his own and makes friends with Sara "Screamer" Wiggins (sister to Sam Wiggins who is one of Mr. Sherlock Holmes's famous Baker Street Irregulars). When Andrew returns from one of their outings one evening, he observes Mr. Dennison walking towards their lodgings ahead of him. Just before the man can enter the lodging house, he is accosted by a man in a growler and the cab's driver. It seems to Andrew that Dennison is reluctant to get into the cab and as it passes him he notices that the cabby, a heavset man with a broken nose, is grinning. Mrs. Gurney, owner of the lodging house, convinces him to wait to report anything. After all, gentlemen who come up to London sometimes meet up with unexpected people and perhaps Mr. Dennison wasn't so much reluctant as surprised to see the men. But by the next afternoon Dennison still hasn't returned, a visit to the local police station is unsuccessful, and Andrew is chased, robbed, and left injured. Fortunately, the Wiggins siblings find him and take him in. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Holmes is investigating some mysterious incidents involving the death of Lord Lowther and the theft of certain paintings left in his legacy to his son Adam as well as a rash of bombings in the city. It isn't long before Andrew's hunt for his missing guardian and the Great Detective's search for the paintings lead to the same place. Andrew, with the help of Screamer, will brave some of the worst sections in London before finding Mr. Denison....and, incidentally, the answers to some of his earlier questions. Andrew may wind up with a parent after all.

This is a very promising debut in what looks to be an interesting children's/young adult mystery series. As much as I enjoy Holmes stories, it was refreshing to see this told primarily from the viewpoint of Andrew and the Irregulars. I've often thought books based on the Irregulars' adventures with Holmes (told from their viewpoint) would make for good stories. Andrew is given an interesting background and, while there is some coincidence at play here, I thought things worked out for him in a fairly plausible way. It is also intriguing that this children's mystery has a fairly adult plot--this is no "secret of the missing jewels." There is major danger and the kids just barely prevent a man from being shot before their eyes. Lots of adventure and intrigue and much to like in this first book of the series. ★★★ and a half.

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This counts for the "Carriage/Wagon" category on the Silver Vintage Scavenger Hunt card.

The Eye of Osiris: Review

The Eye of Osiris (1911) by R. Austin Freeman is the tantalizing tale of a missing world-renowned archaeologist. John Bellingham returned from a trip to Egypt only to immediately disappear from his cousin's home. Or did he? When the story appears in the newspaper, Dr. Thorndyke, the medical/legal detecting wizard, points out to his medical jurisprudence students that, should the question of proving Bellingham's death ever arise, much will depend on when officials can fix the last moment he was alive. From the newspaper account, it would appear that Bellingham was last alive at his cousin's house. But the article also mentions that a scarab which was a recognized ornament on the archeologist's watch-chain had been found on the grounds belonging to the missing man's brother Godfrey. IF the scarab was noticed on the watch-chain by anyone at the cousin's house, then there would be reason to assume that Bellingham had gone to his brother's afterwards. If the absence of the scarab had been noted, then it would be safe to assume that the housemaid at Mr. Hurst's home (the cousin) was the last person to see him alive. At this point, it is all an intellectual puzzle to Thorndyke.

Fast-forward two years. Dr. Paul Berkeley, one of the students in the medical jurisprudence class, is filling in for an older doctor who has taken a much-needed vacation. He arrives at the home of Godfrey Bellingham, who has moved to London for unknown reasons, and circumstances bring him into Bellingham's confidence over the matter of John Bellingham's will. You see, Bellingham was never heard from again after he apparently walked out of his cousin's house, and now Hurst and the family lawyer, Mr. Jellicoe, want Godfrey to allow them to have him declared deceased and put the will forward for probate. But the will is a legal nightmare. It would seem that John Bellingham wanted his brother Godfrey to inherit, but then set conditions that made it virtually impossible for him to do so--which means that Hurst will inherit instead. Hurst offers Godfrey a deal--agree to petition for the will to be probated, Hurst will inherit, and will guarantee Godfrey and his daughter a stipend of 400 pounds a year. And, Godfrey must agree that those provisions will stand even if John or his body is found and the terms of the will (allowing Godfrey to inherit) can be met. Godfrey steadfastly refuses.

Berkeley has taken a fancy to Godfrey's daughter Ruth and he convinces the Bellinghams to allow him to give Dr. Thorndyke all information on the case. Thorndyke is thoroughly intrigued and begins to form theories about the whereabouts of John Bellingham.Then bits of a man's skeleton begin popping up in various places--bits that might belong to John Bellingham. But none of the bits include portions of the body that contain elements that might actually identify the bones as Bellingham's. Thorndyke becomes even more intrigued and sets out to prove his theory about the mystery. There are several things to prove: Is John Bellingham dead--and, if so, was he murdered? If he was murdered, who did it and why? And, finally, where is John Bellingham (or his body) now?

This is another fine intellectual puzzle by Freeman. Thorndyke is perhaps a little long-winded in his scientific lectures, but all is forgiven when the reader gets to enjoy the comic scenes in the coroner's inquest (where it is to be decided if the bones are Bellingham and, if so, how he met his death) and the probate court. Mr. Pope, one of the members of the coroner's jury is priceless--subjecting every witness to his stolid questions and disbelief of anything but the most obvious of proofs. He plays merry hell with Mr. Jellicoe's and Mr. Hurst's plan to get the bones identified as Bellingham's by raising enough doubt that the inquest is adjourned. 

It has been a lot of fun getting reacquainted with Freeman's work this year (I just recently read The Silent Witness as well). My last excursion was with The Red Thumb Mark long ago and far away (before I ever started writing up reviews) and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed that one. I'll be looking forward to reading the other Thorndyke books I have sitting on the TBR pile and I highly recommend him, especially to those who enjoy the Holmes stories. ★★★★


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I read this from Project Gutenburg--so I hunted up a cover to use. This counts for the "Cigarette/Pipe" category on the Golden Vintage Scavenger Hunt card.

While the Wind Howled: Review

Audrey Gaines [Schultz] was born in Alexandria Virginia and appears (from what I can find online) to have written five mysteries. While the Wind Howled (1940) is the second of these and the second to feature Carrie Storm (aka "Carrie the Redheaded Nurse"). Nurse Carrie has been called upon to care for Marcia Halliday, a beautifully mannered middle-aged woman who heads the Halliday family--one of the oldest of Washington's Old Guard. Monica is recovering from an operation, but it doesn't prevent her from keeping tabs on all that goes on in Chevy Chase Hlls, Maryland. When the cruel husband of her daughter Nora is found dead in his bedroom, apparently poisoned, she asks Carrie to call upon her fiance, private detective Chauncey O'Day to sort things out.

Nora had learned very quickly that Garrick Temple was a horrible husband and it didn't take her long to seek solace in the arms of the handsome Doctor Peter Hyde. To anyone looking for the obvious, it would seem that either she or the lover might have doctored the sleeping capsules with the dose of strychnine that sent Temple to an early grave. Of course, they aren't the only ones who might have wanted Garrick gone. There's his estranged son and daughter who may have hoped to speed any inheritance coming their way. There's James Truant, husband of Garrik's sister-in-law, who may not have cared for Irma's unseemly interest in the man. There's Pegleg, the handyman who lost part of his leg in the First World War and who may have resented his dependence on Garrick Temple's "generosity." And there's Barry Destine who has always been in love with Nora and may have thought releasing her from the ogre would turn her love towards him.

Then O'Day makes a few discoveries that seem to point to Nora having been the target instead of her husband. But who would want to kill Nora? Oh, maybe Irma who resents Garrick's second wife--particularly since she wanted to be wife number two herself. Or maybe her stepson or stepdaughter thought if Nora were out of the way then they might bury the hatchet with daddy. The mysterious events don't stop there, however. A blackmailing songstress will enter the picture...as will Pegleg's missing peg leg, two wrong victims, a stolen batch of strychnine, a black scrapbook full of sketches and a Yale key thrown out into the snow....and a snowman that appears overnight. O'Day, with the reluctant help of the fiery tempered and opinionated Nurse Carrie, will have to put all these pieces together and more in order to discover the culprit.

This is a decent little vintage mystery for a quick comfort read. Not an intricate plot and old hands at the crime game will probably spot the murderer, but still enjoyable. Marcia Halliday is a great example of the period's grande dame and O'Day is an interesting take on the private detective. Nurse Carrie falls a little short for me--but probably because I spent my time comparing her to another peppery nurse--Mignon G. Eberhart's Sarah Keate. I think Eberhart manages her indignant but curious nurse much better. Overall it was worth the time spent and was an enjoyable read, but it's not equal to any of the period's classics. ★★★

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The back cover gives me a nice "Country Scene" for the Golden Vintage Scavenger Hunt card.

The Mystery of Burnleigh Manor: Review

The Mystery of Burnleigh Manor (1930) by Walter Livingston is perhaps the basis for the plot of many a Scooby Doo cartoon episode. It features a Spooky Old House which none of the locals will go near for love or money. There are rumors of hauntings and footsteps in the walls and an evil  atmosphere that touches anyone who comes near. The only thing missing is the spectre who is really the local policeman in disguise. The last Lord Burnleigh to live within the manor--Lord Edward--had committed suicide in front of his younger brother Cecil on Christmas Eve. Lord Edward's wife and the youngest Burnleigh brother, Robert, had vanished and it was said that Lord Edward had killed them. The lord of the manor certainly appears haunted by something, if not remorse, just prior to shooting himself. And his faithful retainer, Hooper, claims to have seen the ghost of Robert on occasion. Cecil--now Lord Cecil--has the place boarded up, leaves the manor behind, and asks that his representatives check on the property now and again.

Years later, Lord Cecil receives word that the ghost is walking again. Or at least someone has been messing about the place. He determines to get to the bottom of the mystery even if it means taking the manor apart stone by stone. He travels to America to hire a level-headed architect with no connections whatsoever to the manor...or even to England...to come and refurbish the house. And, perhaps, discover what secrets it might hold. When they arrive at the manor, Burnleigh's man Lowry is in possession of the estate's lodge and Lowry's daughter shows every sign of nervous tension. It's also apparent that she would rather that Mr. Riker (the architect) would turn right around and head back to America and not set foot inside the manor. He can't figure out why she's taken such an intense dislike to him.

But it isn't long before strange things begin happening. Hooper is attacked--twice. An owl is hear hooting when no owls should be present in the area. The figure of a woman appears high on the manor's tower--when every entrance is still securely boarded up, and a man walks into a bush on the cliff and disappears. Once Riker enters the manor, he hears the footsteps within the walls and has items vanish from locked rooms. He's sure that Edith Lowry knows more than she's telling--but she seems to be in the grip of an unshakeable fear. He's also sure that it's no ghost playing tricks but a real human agent at work. But who is it and what are they seeking within the manor?

Before I give my take on this mystery, please know that I can't talk about one of the weaknesses without revealing a key point--I"m sure that anyone familiar with mysteries will have spotted it already, but I do want to give fair warning of possible spoilers ahead.

This is a fair mystery. I could see the plot working as a nice little 1930s or 1940s B movie plot--say something like The Ghost Breakers with Bob Hope or The Thirteenth Guest with Ginger Rogers. Lots of atmosphere and lots of spooky action in a gloomy old house. There's not a lot of doubt about who the "ghost" might be (although the possible identity is denied by one of the trusted sources). I certainly enjoyed the setting and Livingston gives us delightful characters to play about in the scene. My big quibble (and this is the spoiler such as it is) is after finding that Lord Cecil has hired an architect (who surely knows his way around edifices and spaces and figuring out dimensions and whatnot) and plopping a book with the the title Notes on the Detection of Hidden Spaces in his lap, the reader should reasonably expect that said architect would figure out from the get-go that there must be at least one secret passage in the manor some place. I mean, come on. I saw that coming as soon as Lord Cecil said there were weird things happening in the place that he wanted the architect to work on and the title of the book was mentioned. Ah ha, says I, There be secret passages here. But Riker goes about trying to figure out how on earth somebody, who he is sure is real and not a ghost, could possibly get into places that are all locked up. Gee, I wonder?

Overall, a fun and fairly solid read coming in at a middle-of-the road ★★★. It would be interesting to find out if Livingston has any other mysteries I could get my hands on and see if he managed any stronger efforts.

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This counts for the "Spooky House/Mansion" category on the Golden Vintage Scavenger Hunt card and it is also my second entry entry in the 1930 edition of Rich's Crimes of Century over at Past Offenses. If you have any 1930 crime fiction hanging out on your shelves, then come join us!

The Tuesday Night Bloggers: Children in Crime: The Black Seven

The Tuesday Night Bloggers have returned from our August summer holiday and the topic for September is, appropriately enough, Children in Crime. As the little darlings go back to school, we are turning our thoughts to child detectives and even perhaps the evil that lurks behind the innocent faces of childish criminals. If you'd like to join us for discussion of the youngsters in the mystery genre--particularly Golden Age youngsters, but all are welcome--then please stop in every Tuesday as we gather at Kate's place over at crossexamingcrime. Pull up a chair and have a scone or two...

To kick things off, I thought I'd highlight one of the more obscure (to me, anyway) titles to feature a youthful sleuth. You've no doubt heard of the Secret Seven (featured in this month's TNB logo). Well, The Black Seven (1946) by Carol Kendall is a first edition, debut novel that I picked up on one of my book-buying extravaganzas. Found this one in our local used bookstore, the Caveat Emptor. Before snagging this off the shelf, I had never heard of Carol Kendall before...probably because this would seem to be her only adult mystery. The story stars a twelve-year-old protagonist and she found that she enjoyed writing about children so much that she went on to publish two mysteries for children before writing The Gammage Cup, a fantasy novel which received a Newbery Honor in 1959 and which prompted two sequels.

As mentioned, the story features Roderick "Drawers" Random--a precocious 12-year-old who fancies himself a small-town version of Sexton Blake. His father has him on a regimen of reading the classics--but Drawers has fixed himself up a secret hideout where he can read Astounding Stories and other pulp magazines in peace. That is until the owner of the property where his cozy little shed shelters in the tangled, neglected garden manages to get himself killed. Then Drawers finds himself drawn into the real-life realm of mystery and excitement that surrounds his odd neighbors, the Twiggs.
 

Originally a large family living in Twigg Terrace and bullied by their eccentric father Tobias, the Twigg family--Jasper, Casper, Toby (Jr.), Dulcet, Cannas, (siblings all) and Tammany (their cousin--went their separate ways when Tobias died, an apparent suicide, five years ago. Detective Peter Mood has always had his doubts about the manner of Tobias senior's death, but with no proof and no encouragement from his superiors to investigate further he had been forced to leave the case alone. Then Casper, current head of the family, calls his relatives together to let them know he plans to restart the bullying campaign that ended with Tobias senior's death. Well, you can imagine how well that went over...and soon Casper is found beaten to death among Cannas's petunias (or whatever variety of garden flower she goes in for--it's not specified).

There are many clues and interesting items that are soon brought to Drawers' attention (and through him to Peter Mood)--from the rumor of the Seven Black Babies (which may or may not be gems) to the sprightly, talking starling to the regular parade of Twiggs who visit him in the Gas House (his humble hideout). They're all on a treasure hunt for the Babies; they're all trying to keep that fact from the others. And one of them is a murderer. But which one?

I'll just tell you upfront--this is not exactly the most intricate and literary vintage mystery. It's not even the best example of the genre. But it is fun. Drawers is an appealing character. And it's very entertaining to watch him make his way through adventures not unlike those his pulp heroes have faced--rats in the cellar, being jumped and searched, facing a gas-masked villain intent to kill. All the thrills and chills of the early adventure/detective stories. And his poor father--completely oblivious to everything. It's totally worth it just for Mr. Random's speech to Drawers about murderous strangers running amok in their small town.

"This morning's paper carries the story of a murder in this very neighborhood. No one you would know, of course--an older man. I really didn't read the whole story, but I gathered he used to live over on the next street. Therefore I think it wise that you should be careful not to speak to strangers. If they offer you candy or an automobile ride, you must refuse and get away from them quickly. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir. I'll be very careful."

"And Roderick..." His father hesitated. "Roderick, of course I know I don't need to say this, but if I were you I would be very careful not to go out after dark, even with any of your little friends." [Oh, how little he knows his son...]

"Yes sir," said Drawers. "I suppose, sir, it would be all right if I...talked on the telephone?"

"Yes, Roderick," Said Mr. Random gravely. "But don't let anybody lure you away from the house on a false errand."  

I thoroughly enjoyed myself with this book full of good solid fun.

Oh...and one more favorite quote:

It's a lot easier to like people when they can't make life miserable for you any more.

**One small note: There is a usage of the N-word. It's not in reference to actual characters in the story, but it's a phrase of the time and may offend some.

The Wheelchair Corpse: Review

Carl V. has opened his annual R. (eaders) I. (mbibing) P. (eril)  Event and have I got a doozy to kick off my contributions to R.I.P. XI. The Wheelchair Corpse (1930; aka Murder on the Palisades) provides the reader with a murder spree to satisfy the most blood-thirsty vintage mystery tastes. Someone seems to have it in for the family of Dr. Manx, a famous diagnostician and four of them will die (with a fifth one promised) before Jimmy Hale, newshound and amateur sleuth, and his friend, the gifted scientist Professor Brierly, can put together all the clues leading to the villain.

As the book opens, "Iron Man" Hite, city editor for a New York newspaper, is weeding out the anonymous tips and crazy communications that often cross his desk when he comes across one that is different enough to make him pause with his hand over the trash can.

Conrad Manx , Jr. will die of meningitis. He will be Number One.

And the "Number One" is given using the Hebrew Alphabet. Not your average crackpot. But how could anyone predict a case of meningitis? Hite decides to play a hunch and asks Hale to investigate the Manx family and see what interesting tidbits he can dig up. But there's nothing doing. The most scandalous thing Jimmy can find on the Manx clan is that Dr. Manx apparently married his second wife an indecently short time after her husband died. And so Hite throws away the note. Three weeks go by. And an undertaker submits an obituary notice announcing the death of Conrod Manx, Jr. Cause of death? Meningitis.

The sleuthing reporter is back on the case and gathers as much information as he can before consulting Professor Brierly. The gruff scientist isn't interested until a second message is received which declares that a second Manx is going to die. This time the anonymous writer names no names and gives no method of dispatch--but Hite and Hale take it seriously none-the-less.  And this time Jimmy has Brierly's attention--he collects the professor and his assistant Matthews on his way to the Manx estate in New Jersey--making friends with Connors, the local chief of detectives along the way. Dr. Manx doesn't exactly welcome them with open arms and after listening to their story, he orders them to leave. The men have barely shut the door behind them when they hear a loud crash and a rasping sound half-way between a groan and a cry. When they re-enter the room, they find Dr. Manx dead from a horrible wound in the back of his head and the window and shutters broken.

It has every appearance of an impossible crime. Hale, Brierly, and company were outside the only usable entrance to the room (there is another door, but a stack of heavy chairs blocks it). There is no object in the room capable of  causing such damage to a human skull. And when they rush to the window (mere moments after bursting into the room), there is no one near enough to have done the deed. Manx number two is gone. Two more will join these unfortunate men before Professor Brierly begins to gather the evidence necessary to unravel this mystery. And it isn't until a fifth is predicted that he has everything he needs to explain who is behind this evil plot to eradicate the Manx clan.

This is a delightfully fun murderous romp. Sure, folks are dying through the most outlandish means. Yeah, there's a bit of esoteric scientific knowledge necessary for the solution that the average Joe or Jane probably doesn't have. There's a rather unbelievable bit of (redacted so I won't give away a plot point) going on.  But it doesn't matter. This is just fun. The characters are engaging and book moves along at a terrific pace and before you know it, you're at the end of the story with the plot all wrapped up and Professor Brierly bemoaning the lack of perspicacity of his companions. ★★★★

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With the red brick wall, this counts for the "Red Object" on the Golden Vintage Scavenger Hunt card. It is also my first entry in the 1930 edition of Rich's Crimes of Century over at Past Offenses. If you have any 1930 crime fiction hanging out on your shelves, then come join us!

 

Challenge Complete: Mad Reviewer

Carrie at The Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge challenged us to read and review (either on Goodreads, Amazon or your own blog) 104 books in one year starting January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2016.

She knew that not everyone has time to read 104 books, so sheset up various levels:

1.  Mad Reviewer: 104 books in one year. (2 books a week all year.)

2.  Crazy Reviewer: 52 books in one year. (1 book a week all year.)

3.  Slightly Sane Reviewer: 26 books in one year. (1 book every fortnight all year.)

4.  Sane Reviewer: 12 books in one year.  (1 book every month all year.)

Of course, I couldn't resist a goal that would declare me a Mad Reviewer, so I went straight for the top. I've now finished my 104th book and review and my challenge is complete. Here are the books read:

1. The Purple Cloud by M. P. Shiel (1/2/16)
2. Hunt with the Hounds by Mignon G. Eberhart (1/3/16)
3. Murder at Arroways by Helen Reilly (1/7/16)
4. The Girl in the Cellar by Patricia Wentworth (1/9/16)
5. Red for Murder by Harold Kemp (1/13/16)
6. Hardly a Man Is Now Alive by Herbert Brean (1/16/16)
7. Imagination Unlimited edited by Everett F. Bleiler & T. E. Dikty (1/18/16)
8. Puzzle in Petticoats by Samuel M. Kootz (1/20/16)
9. The Platypus of Doom & Other Nihilists by Arthur Byron Cover (1/23/16)
10. Oh My! by George Takei (1/24/16)
11. Four Against the Bank of England by Ann Huxley (1/25/16)
12. Which Doctor by Edward Candy (1/28/16)
13. The Triumphs of Eugene Valmont by Robert Barr (1/30/16)
14. Who's Calling? by Helen McCloy (1/31/16) 
15. The Clock Ticks On By Valentine Williams (2/3/16) 
16. The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham (2/5/16) 
17. The Clue of the Judas Tree by Leslie Ford (2/6/16)  
18. The Doberman Wore Black by Barbara Moore (2/9/16) 
19. The Fifth Passenger by Edward Young (2/10/16) 
20. The Bridal Bed Murders by A. E. Martin (2/13/16) 
21. The April Robin Murders by Craig Rice & Ed McBain (2/17/16) 
22. The Silver Anniversary Murder by Lee Harris (2/17/16) 
23. Poacher's Bag by Douglas Clark (2/19/16) 
24. The Spiral Staircase by Ethel Lina White (2/20/16) 
25. The Black Rustle by Constance & Gwenyth Little (2/22/16) 
26. The Bachelors of Broken Hill by Arthur W. Upfield (2/24/16) 
27. Gently with the Painters by Alan Hunter (2/27/16) 
28. The Calcutta Affair by George S. Elrick (2/28/16) 
29. The Avengers: A Celebration by Marcus Hearn (2/29/16) 
30. Make Death Love Me by Ruth Rendell (3/1/16) 
31. The Day He Died by Lewis Padgett (3/3/16) 
32. House of Darkness by Allan MacKinnon (3/7/16)
 33. The Philomel Foundation by James Gollin (3/11/16) 
34. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear (3/13/16) 
35. Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear (3/15/16)  
36. The Old Battle Axe/The Obstinate Murderer by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding (3/17/16) 
37. The Big Smoke by Adrian Matejka (3/20/16) 
38. Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear (3/24/16) 
39. Dead Against My Principles by Kenneth Hopkins (3/29/16) 
40. The Third Encounter by Sara Woods (4/1/6) 
41. Death in Profile by Guy Fraser-Sampson (4/3/16) 
42. The Jade Venus by George Harmon Coxe (4/7/16) 
43. The Indigo Necklace Murders by Frances Crane (4/12/16) 
44. The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde by Erle Stanley Gardner (4/12/16) 
45. The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas (4/13/16) 
46. One Foot in the Grave by Peter Dickinson (4/18/16) 
47. The Chalk Circle Man by Fred Vargas (4/21/16) 
48. Death in Cyprus by M. M. Kaye (4/22/16) 
49. The Pocket Book of Ghost Stories edited by Philip Van Doren Stern (4/24/16) 
50. Death by Hoax by Lionel Black (4/25/16) 
51. Chili Con Corpses by J. B. Stanley (4/28/16) 
52. Line Up for Murder by Marion Babson (4/28/16) 
53. Our Jubilee Is Death by Leo Bruce (4/30/16) 
54. Powder & Patch by Georgette Heyer (5/4/16) 
55. Dead Man's Riddle by Mary Kelly (5/9/16) 
56. The Family Tomb by Michael Gilbert (5/10/16) 
57. Running Blind by Desmond Bagley (5/11/16) 
58. The Bobbsey Twins at London Tower by Laura Lee Hope (5/13/16) 
59. Gownsman's Gallows by Katharine Farrer (5/16/16) 
60. Murder at the Savoy by Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo (5/20/16) 
61. The Litmore Snatch by Henry Wade (5/21/16) 62. Good Blood by Aaron Elkins (5/23/16) 
63. The Paper Thunderbolt by Michael Innes (5/29/16) 
64. Murder in Amsterdam by A. J. Baantjer (6/3/16) 
65. Midnight in Lonesome Hollow by Kathleen Ernst (6/4/16) 
66. The Cinnamon Murder by Frances Crane (6/6/16) 
67. A Is For Arsenic by Kathryn Harkup (6/8/16) 
68. The Mystery Woman by J. U. Giesy & Junius B. Smith (6/12/16) 
69. The Silent Women by Margaret Page Hood (6/13/16) 
70. Certain Sleep by Helen Reilly (6/16/16) 
71. The Seven Wonders of Crime by Paul Halter (6/19/16) 
72. The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins (6/19/16) 
73. Murder in Any Language by Kelley Roos (6/21/16) 
74. Bodies & Souls edited by Dann Herr & Joel Wells (6/28/16) 
75. The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Titanic Tragedy be William Seil (6/28/16) 
76. The Norths Meet Murder by Frances & Richard Lockridge (6/30/16) 
77. High Rhymes & Misdemeanors by Diana Killian (6/30/16) 
78. The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji (7/3/16) 
79. A Pinch of Poison by Frances & Richard Lockridge (7/5/16) 
80. All Fall Down by L. A. G. Strong (7/6/16) 
81. The Ticking Clock by Frances & Richard Lockridge (7/8/16) 
82. Checkmate to Murder by E. C. R. Lorac (7/10/16) 
83. The Poet's Funeral by John M. Daniel (7/12/16) 
84. The Devil in Bellminster by David Holland (7/13/16) 
85. The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne (7/15/16) 
86. The Warsaw Anagrams by Richard Zimler (7/17/16) 
87. Too Good to Be True by J. F. Hutton (7/20/16) 
88. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (7/22/16) 
89. A Dead Man in Athens by Michael Pearce (7/28/16) 
90. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L.Sayers (7/28/16) 91. The Mirabilis Diamond by Jerome Odlum (7/31/16) 
92. Servant's Problem by Veronica Parker Johns (8/4/16) 
93. Murder on Trial by Michael Underwood (8/7/16) 
94. Invitation to Murder by Leslie Ford (8/11/16) 
95. Murder Every Monday by Pamela Branch (8/13/16) 
96. A Parade of Cockeyed Creatures OR Did Someone Murder Our Wandering Boy? by George Baxt (8/14/16) 
97. A Death for a Darling by E. X. Giroux (8/19/16) 
98. Design for Murder by Erica Quest (8/20/16) 
99. Unhallowed Murder by Simon Nash (8/20/16) 
100. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre (8/24/16) 
101. The Silent Witness by R. Austin Freeman (8/25/16) 
102. The Master of Mysteries by Gelett Burgess (8/30/16) 
103. The House of the Arrow by A.E.W. Mason (8/31/16) 
104. The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit (9/3/16) 
 
 Challenge Complete: I will, of course, keep reviewing the rest of my books this year...