Ken Parker - Here Comes Ken Parker/Hopeton Lewis Selection - Dr Bird DBCD094 - 2022

 

Ken Parker - Here Comes Ken Parker - Doctor Bird - DBGD094 - 2022

(includes 18 tracks by Hopeton Lewis)

`Here Comes Ken Parker` was a 1974 LP issued by Duke Reid`s Treaure Isle label in Jamaica. In that form, it comprised 9 vocal tracks by Ken, plus two instrumentals by Tommy McCook and the Supersonics, who also provided backing on Ken`s tracks. 

That album, including the two instrumentals, was issued in the UK by Trojan under the title `Jimmy Brown` the same year, taking the best known song from the album as the title track, perhaps because he was not having the success in the UK that some of his peers enjoyed.

This CD re-issue omits the two instrumentals and instead provides Ken`s tracks plus the other three tracks of his that were released by Treasure Isle. Additionally, it also features all 18 of the tracks by Hopeton Lewis that were released on the Treasure Isle label. 

In a way, this makes perfect sense. Like many of the `born in the `40s` generation of reggae singers, both men began singing in church as youngsters, both recorded for Duke Reid in the `60s and both subsequently moved on to perform gospel music (though Ken`s earliest gospel recordings actually pre-date his reggae and rocksteady career). Additionally, one of the Lewis songs here, `Boys and Girls Reggay`, was in fact a Ken Parker composition. 

What doesn`t make sense to me is to issue a 30 track CD, of which 18 are by Hopeton Lewis, and package it in a way that makes it seem like it is purely a Ken Parker collection. Additionally, anyone just glancing at the front would probably assume it was a straight re-issue of `Here Comes Ken`. Fair enough, most people would expect a couple of bonus tracks, but you wouldn`t automatically assume you were actually looking at a collection comprising the entire Treasure Isle output of both Ken Parker and Hopeton Lewis.  

It`s not my intention to write a review of the music here. I`ll admit that the music of Duke Reid`s Treasure Isle studios is my favourite music of all time and there is very little that came out of there that I don`t like. For me personally, there are a couple of tracks here that I don`t really care for but clearly the good outweighs the bad.

I`d have to add that despite the presence of Tommy McCook this is not the jazziest thing you ever heard. 

I wouldn`t recommend this as an introduction to Treasure Isle. I would see this as more suitable to someone who knows a couple of things by both men and wants to hear some more. 

      

  

Frank Froest/George Dilnot - The Crime Club - Collins Crime Club/The Detctive Club - 2016

 

Frank Froest & George Dilnot - The Crime Club - Collins Crime Club/The Detective Club - 2016

Reprint of book first published in 1915

Frank Froest was a former Superintendent at Scotland Yard, a detective associated with many high-profile cases of his time. In retirement he decided to turn his hand to fictional crime, aided and abetted by his friend, journalist and author George Dilnot.

The Crime Club is a short story collection I found hugely enjoyable. 

It begins with a meeting of the eponymous Crime Club, detectives from around the world who meet regularly to compare cases. Having introduced that idea, Froest and Dilnot then forget about it completely, it is really just an attempt to introduce a collection of short stories featuring a variety of fictional detectives. 

The stories themselves I found hugely entertaining, with the possible exception of The Mayors` Daughter, which attempts to bring in elements of American pulp fiction, not totally successfully.

At regular intervals, one or other of the author stresses that their sleuths are a world away from the super-sleuths created by other writers of the time. I`m guessing this was Frank, as George wrote a number of the Sexton Blake stories.

While it`s quite reasonable for him (or them) to stress teamwork, organisation and the determination of otherwise ordinary men to see a case through to the end, those who see these tales as containing the origins of the police procedural novel are wide of the mark. There is no gritty realism here, these stories were written to be read as entertainment.  

Similarly, only one would count as a whodunnit, so if that`s your thing, this may not be the book for you. 

For me, I liked this book so much I`ve already ordered their two full-length novels.  

 

Ossie Scott dearest one

Mary Danby (Ed) - Realms of Darkness - Octopus - 1985

 

Mary Danby (ed) - Realms of Darkness ; Nightmarish Tales of the Supernatural and Macabre - Octopus - 1985

Published for St Michael/Marks and Spencer, presumably to be sold in their stores, in 1985, the same year as the first edition was published (by Heinemann, I think).

With introduction by Christopher Lee

73 short stories by 73 authors, including Martin Amis, Dennis Wheatley, Agatha Christie, F Marion Crawford, J B Priestley, and Bill Pronzini.

Mary Danby was an author in her own right as well as being noted as editor of numerous anthologies of supernatural fiction. She also acted as compiler of various humorous anthologies - books of jokes, cartoons, limericks etc, though these need not detain us here.

This impressive collection brings together the modern and the classic, the obscure and the well-known. It`s true that other anthologists - Richard Dalby springs to mind - have done very much the same thing, but let`s not worry too much about that. 

With such a range of authors,  almost anyone who likes this sort of thing is going to find some stories they love and some they will probably read once and never again. I can think of three straight away that I didn`t care for, but given the number of stories contained in this volume, I`m not too worried about that. 

More to the point, there were only a moderate number of stories here that I already had in other collections and a great number that were new to me, despite the many comparable volumes I`ve read over the years. 

I`ve read that Mary Danby`s ghost/horror anthologies often duplicate each other (though I don`t know that from my own knowledge), so I would be cautious of buying too many of them.

Given the scope of this selection, it would be perfect for someone who just wants one anthology of this sort, but wants the one that they have to be a good one.

  

Sound Dimension - Style and Fashion

Bill S Ballinger - The Longest Second - The Mystery Book Guild - 1958

 

 Bill S Ballinger - The Longest Second - Mystery Book Guild - 1958

An absorbing read, with a touch of the Ed McBains about it. 

The principal story told in this novel is of a man who wakes up in a hospital ward suffering from amnesia. He has a severe cut to his throat and it is unclear if this was due to an assault or a suicide attempt. He is told by a detective that his name is Vic Pacific, an identity they have established by checking his fingerprints against army records as he served in North Africa during World War Two.

The second story concerns two detectives investigating the case of a man found dead with very similar injuries to the throat. They too check his fingerprints man`s against army records and they too find their man is Vic Pacific !

The larger part of the story is given over to the first man`s search for his own identity and the things he learns about himself along the way. 

For him, people seem to fall into two categories, those who are useful to him and those who are not. He sees others as "phantoms" that he never really connects with and whose feelings, as often as not, are just an annoyance to him. 

Few will warm to his central character, but Ballinger , a prolific and experienced writer,  keeps the readers` interest throughout. 

Howard Perry - Let Me Be Yours Until Tomorrow

Jonathan Goodman(Ed) - Medical Murders - BCA - 1992

 

Jonathan Goodman (ed) - Medical Murders - BCA  - 1992

(Book originally published by Piatkus the previous year)

Contributors ; Jonathan Goodman, Edward H Smith, Harold Eaton, Joan Lock, Rev Evelyn Burnaby and 8 others

This was a book I found on a charity stall at my local supermarket. Having proffered what I hope was a suitable donation I trotted happily home, ready to immerse myself in the world of murderous medics, dangerous doctors and poisonous practitioners. 

The book was enjoyable, but a bit patchy. Most of the pieces were originally published  in other true crime collections, a couple seem to have been written specifically for inclusion in this volume and two were originally  newspaper articles.

Some contributors have done their homework - Albert Borowitz has clearly made a particular study of the murder of Dr George Parkman at Harvard Medical College in Boston (1849) - but while I may be treating them unfairly,  others may not have drawn on such a wide range of sources.

All are readable and informative, however, though I did feel that Richard Whittington-Egan in his piece on the crimes of Arthur Warren Waite rather overdid the humour and at times his comments were ill-judged. 

Overall, I am happy to have read this book, and I would be tempted to seek out other works by some of the contributors, but I would be not be in a hurry to try any of Jonathan Goodmans` other crime collections -  unless another unexpected bargain comes my way, of course. 

Howard Perry - No Rush

Jenkins, Innes, Garve, Kennedy, Egleton - Great Cases of Scotland Yard, Volume 1

1. 

Eric Ambler (ed) - Great Cases of Scotland Yard ; Volume One - Reader`s Digest - 1993  

Reprint of book first published in 1978

Contents ; 

Thomas Neill Cream, Poisoner - Elizabeth Jenkins

Flannel Foot - Michael Innes

The Strange Case of Stanley Setty - Andrew Garve 

The Portland Spy Case - Ludovic Kennedy

Clive Egleton - The Stealing of Muriel McKay

The story of five historical crime cases told by popular writers of the day. 

Generally, a very absorbing and satisfying read. The first three cases were very much my kind of thing and I enjoyed them immensely. I am not particularly keen on espionage stories, whether fact or fiction, but in fact Ludovic Kennedy`s account of the Portland Spy Case was fascinating  and very enjoyable.

I was surprised to find that I was not so keen on the Muriel McKay kidnapping case, which is odd as  it`s a case that I`ve read about before and one that generally interests me. I`d have to also add that while the author quotes the judge in the case as praising a "brilliant piece of detective work", some readers might doubt the accuracy of that description. I would have to say in fairness that this is the most detailed account of the case I`ve read and is probably worth reading on that account.     

A word of praise for the illustrators is in order. Guy Deel (Thomas Neill Cream), Gino d`Achille (Flannel Foot) and David Blossom (Stanley Setty) all provide a number of excellent illustrations. The last two cases each have a two-page illustration by Rick McCollum followed by a number of reproduced black and white newspaper photos etc, which just seem to be slotted in wherever they`ll fit, so the effect is not so impressive. 

Overall, it was a pleasure to revisit this book, which I`ve owned for years, and in fact I liked it so much I`ve ordered myself a copy of Volume Two ! 

Carl Kress/Dick McDonough - Danzon

Anthony Berkeley -The Silk Stocking Murders - Collins Crime Club/The Detective Club - 2017

 

Anthony Berkeley -The Silk Stocking Murders - Collins Crime Club/The Detective Club - 2007

"A Roger Sheringham Detective Novel" 

2007 reprint of book first published in 1928

It is a while since I read this. I usually like to review books promptly after reading them but in this case real life got in the way. 

I remember this as an intelligent and ingenious novel, that I enjoyed very much. 

It is said that the central character has may of the attributes of the author himself. I mention this is there ae two female characters, either of whom could very easily have taken on the role off the detective`s sidekick. Considering they are relatively minor characters, the author seems to go to some length to portray them, which made me wonder if they were based on women he knew. 

I personally did work out the identity of the villain of the piece, which I actually found a bit disappointing. When I was younger I tended to be quite pleased if I could solve the case correctly, now I find I actually prefer to be surprised.

I gather some readers have accused the author of showing anti-Semitic leanings in this book. I cannot see that at all. Some characters do express the prejudice against Jews which seems to have been widespread at the time, but the central character, and presumably the author, disagrees repeatedly and emphatically.

My recollection is that on finishing reading this I decided I would have to try more of Berkeley`s books. Can`t say fairer than that !

  

Ossie Scott - Wonder Land By Night

Jonathan Burke - Echo of Barbara - Mystery Book Guild - 1959

 

Jonathan Burke - Echo of Barbara - Mystery Book Guild - 1959

John Frederick Burke wrote under a variety of names, some being variations on his real name and others not.

In his writing career he turned his hand to psychological thrillers and suspense stories, science fiction, travel and numerous novelisations of films and TV programmes, notably Jason King, The Protectors and The Bill.  

I assume he is the same Jonathan Burke that wrote the Sexton Blake Library story Corpse to Copenhagen.

I have to say E of B was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Although there is some action, the strength of the book is mainly in the portrayals of particular characters and how they became who they are. This is most notable with the character of former prostitute Paula Hastings, hired to impersonate the daughter of gangster Sam Westwood. While her character could easily alienate the reader and appear either objectionable or pitiful, in fact she comes across as neither of those things.

Inevitably, not all characters can be fully developed, but we do get an insight into Sam himself, newly released from prison and questioning who he really is. 

I would have to say that Sam`s dialogue is too articulate to be quite convincing. A good example is when he talks of wartime pilots deriving "a certain aesthetic satisaction" from their work and compares his own past to theirs as it included ordering the deaths of  "men and women...against whom you have no personal antipathy". I don`t doubt such a character would think like that, but to express it in those words ? Hardly. 

That aside, I thought this was a remarkable book by which I feel quite sure I will return to again and again.

EVER-G: Life

J V Turner - Below the Clock - Collins Crime Club - 2018 - The Detective Story Club

 

J V Turner - Below the Clock - Collins Crime Club - 2018

Reprint of book first  published in 1936

In the Detective Club/Detective Story Club series

The author also wrote as Nicholas Brady and David Hume. John (Jack) Victor Turner was his real name.

I can imagine that this book, describing the murder of a Chancellor of the Exchequer that actually takes place in the House of Commons (he dies whilst  making a Budget speech) may have been controversial in it`s day, particularly since we soon learn that the Chancellor was far from being a model citizen.

The murder is investigated by eccentric Solicitor Amos Petrie and an increasingly care-worn detective, Chief Inspector Ripple.

Some amusement is provided by Petries` nonchalant approach to dealing with both Politicians and his investigative sidekick, but the author wisely avoids turning it into a comedy.

There are enough twists and turns to the plot to keep even the most ardent lover of old-style detective fiction happy, though it`s maybe a touch disappointing that our intrepid duo make a major breakthrough in the case simply because of a chance encounter with a character that has not previously appeared in the book, and who plays no major part thereafter. 

Having said that, overall it was an enjoyable and absorbing read. Destined to become a personal favourite. 

Coffee Blu

Richard Garrett - Flight into Mystery - Weidenfeld and Nicolson - 1986

 

Richard Garrett - Flight into Mystery ; Reports from the Dark Side of the Sky - W&N - 1986

This is a non-fiction work, from an author whose chief assets ae an engaging writing style and a level head. 

Most of the mysteries he discusses here are aeronautical accidents and other mishaps, and as he rightly points out, are only mysteries until they are explained, though in some cases it`s highly unlikely now that explanations are forthcoming.

His main aim in discussing these is to discuss various possible explanations for a given incident as dispassionately as possible, putting forward his own opinions only when he feels he has something to contribute.

The Bermuda Triangle is mentioned once or twice, but it is clear he attaches no significance to the works of Charles Berlitz and others, commenting "my own attitude is to wonder why these writers found it necessary to invent such tales, when there is mystery enough in the actual world around us." 

A short chapter on UFOs is handled very well.

Only once does his objectivity seem to fail him.

 Discussing John G Fullers` The Ghost of Flight 401, he refers to his knowledge of Fuller`s work on quite another matter (the R101 accident), which he himself had written about, using the same source materials. "I found Mr Fullers` reporting impeccable" he remarks, and goes on to say "I am convinced that, in matters concerning Eastern Airlines` doomed Tri-Star, he applied the integrity one would expect from an author of his stature". Maybe this is true, but not everyone agrees and for once there is no weighing up of alternative viewpoints.

Nevertheless, this is overall an absorbing book which I`m sure I will return to again and again. 

EVER-G: Love

Stephen Ransome - So Deadly My Love - Mystery Book Guild - 1959

 

Stephen Ransome - So Deadly My Love - Mystery Book Guild - 1959

1959 reprint of book first published in 1957

Stephen Ransome 

Stephen Ransome was one of a number of pseudonyms used by Frederick C Davis (1902-77), an American writer.

In the UK his books were invariably credited to Stephen Ransome even if they had first been published in the US under another name.

Some of his stories were published only in the UK  and in general UK editions of his books are more common than the equivalent US editions. 

All of this probably indicates that he was more popular in the UK than in his homeland.

So Deadly My Love

SDML tells the story of a young woman`s experiences as a kidnap victim, of how she turns the tables on the man behind the kidnapping, and of the pressures she faces from those around her, who have their own ideas as to who is responsible and, in some cases, have their own agenda.

It is a gripping story, told well and keeps your attention. 

I have two grumbles but overall they did not really spoil my enjoyment. 

One is the character of Chief of Police Dan Teague. We are repeatedly told how he is a tough, capable officer, but if the author didn`t tell you this, you`d never know. `Dimwitted` and `ineffectual` would be more appropriate terms and in fact the story relies on his inability to solve the case.

The other concerns the person who is eventually found to be behind the kidnapping. I don`t want to reveal the ending but one aspect of the plot seems to make him a rather implausible perpetrator. If the book had been longer it might  have been possible to address this weakness, but obviously that didn`t happen.

However, this is an ingenious and very readable mystery story which avoids any of the cliches of the genre and did give me a lot of enjoyment

Ossie Scott - Lovers Serenade (1983)

Sir David Napley - The Camden Town Murder - Weidenfeld and Nicolson - 1987

 

Sir David Napley - The Camden Town Murder - Weidenfeld and Nicolson - 1987

In the W&N `Great Murder Trials of the 20th Century` series

This non-fiction book came to me as a spontaneous gift from my son, who spotted it on a charity book stall in a supermarket.

Prior to that, I had no knowledge of either the author or the case in question. 

I did google Sir David Napley out of curiosity but I avoided reading anything else about the case in question until I had finished the book.

The book concerns the 1907 trial of Robert Wood, accused of murdering a young prostitute.

Sir David provides an articulate and readable account, stopping along the way to explain various points of interest relating to British legal history that have bearing on the case.

Those of you who have read accounts online that suggest Mr Wood was provided with a dazzling defence by Marshal Hall KC may feel that the truth is rather different.  

I`m not going to mention the outcome of the trial but I would certainly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in historical non-fiction crime/criminology. 

Ras Midas and Asham Band "You Don't Know" Live in Dordrecht

Elizabeth Ferrars - Unreasonable Doubt - Mystery Book Guild - 1959

 

Elizabeth Ferrars - Unreasonable Doubt - The Mystery Book Guild - 1959

MBG reprint of book first published in 1958

Elizabeth Ferrars (real name Morna MacTaggart) aka E X Ferrars was a prolific writer of crime fiction. 

While most, if not all, of her books deal with murder, they are not books about violence so much as the impact of violent crime on people whose lives have been hitherto comfortable, or at least have appeared to be so.  

Initially I was unsure if I was going to warm to this book but I have to say that as it proceeded I found it increasingly absorbing.

This is only the third Ferrars book I have read, so I`m no expert. Whatever else you can say about her, she seems to be a dependable source of intelligently written novels which are not likely to be action-packed but tend to be a satisfying read.

I shall certainly look out more titles by her.

 

EVER-G: Jah Love

David Stuart Davies - Classic Tales of the Macabre - CRW/Collector`s Library - 2011

 

David Stuart Davies - Classic Tales of the Macabre - CRW/Collector`s Library - 2011 

This is one I`ve read fairly recently, but it`s not 100% fresh in my mind, so my comments will be fairly general.

Despite the title, not all of the stories in this collection are actually macabre and at least one is actually rather sweet. Nevertheless, there is quite a bit here to satisfy the most ardent aficionado of the grim, gruesome and grotesque.

There are a few here that are already familiar to me, which is probably inevitable given my long-standing enthusiasm for such things, but still there are quite a few that I`ve not encountered before.

I would also mention that Perceval Landon`s Thurnley Abbey, which I had previously encountered in a clumsily abridged form in another collection, is reproduced here in what I assume is it`s full length and is much more effective for that. 

An interesting choice is Kipling`s The Mark of the Beast. Many would dismiss this as a rather objectional story written by a man often represented as an Imperialist and much else. This may be a mis-reading. Whatever other qualities Kipling may have had, he was proud to belong to a Masonic Lodge which included "Brethren of at least four creeds" , commenting that his membership etc was sponsored/supported by a Hindu, a Muslim and an Indian Jew. If the character of Fleete in the story appears to be an objectionable drunk, it may well be that`s how  Kipling intends us to view him, and the view expressed by the essentially decent  Strickland and the narrator that they "had disgraced ourselves" is probably, in Kipling`s eyes, the result of Fleete`s behaviour. I have no particular axe to grind for or against Kipling, I just mention it out of interest

Anyway, that`s as much as I have time for. If you`re looking for a collection that provides a relentless dip into the realms of the macabre this may be a little disappointing to you. If your taste runs to the ghastly and the ghoulish but you also like a bit of variety, this will probably appeal. 

  

 

Eugene Paul - Farewell My Darling (Official Audio) | Pama Records

Israel Zangwill - The Perfect Crime - Collins Detective Club - 2015 - The Big Bow Mystery

 

Israel Zangwill - The Perfect Crime - Collins Detective Club - 2015

(also known as the Big Bow Mystery)

Also contains Edgar Allan Poe - The Murders in the Rue Morgue

NOTE

Poe`s The Murders in the Rue Morgue is said to be the first locked room mystery. Zangwill`s The Perfect Crime aka The Big Bow Mystery is said to be the first full-length novel LRM (though in fact it is in the area of being a novella/a long short story/a short novel, whichever term you prefer).

The publication of the two in a single volume has generally been received with enthusiasm by lovers of old-style detective fiction. 

To my complete surprise, I didn`t enjoy this as much as others have !

It certainly has all the usual ingredients - a man is found dead in a locked room. Investigations show that he has not committed suicide, but as he was alone in a room with the door and windows apparently locked from the inside, how did the murderer first gain access and then escape ? 

Just to complicate matters, it seems he has no known enemies, certainly none with a motive to kill him. 

So far, so good. Initially, I was surprised to find that Zagwill treated his story in a humorous way, but I quite enjoyed it. 

I would describe his style as light humour with a dollop of satire. Agreeable though it is at first, for me personally it did start to become quite wearing. It`s also becomes apparent that later on in the story, an attempt at a change of mood as an innocent man faces possible execution, does not really work. 

The eventual solution of the case was quite unexpected, so you have to give him credit for that. 

A quick skim of the internet shows an overwhelmingly favourable response to this book, so please feel free to ignore me if you feel inclined to give it a try.

As regards, The Murder in the Rue Morgue, that is a much-loved short story that was genuinely ground-breaking in it`s day and many feel it marks the birth of the detective story as we know it. Sorry, but I`ve never liked it ! For me, the eventual solution of the case is quite ridiculous and undermines the rest of the story. 

Once again, though, others feel very differently about it, so don`t let me deter you from giving it a whirl.  

 

Third World Maxi Ossie Scott Blue Moon TWDIS 21

Lynn Brock - The Deductions of Colonel Gore - Collins Detective Club - 2018 - (aka Alister McAllister aka Anthony Warton)

 

 Lynn Brock (aka Alister McAllister aka Anthony Wharton) - The Deductions of Colonel Gore - Collins Detective Club - 2018

This book has it`s detractors, but for me it was a very enjoyable introduction to the world of Colonel Gore and left me wanting to sample some of his subsequent adventures. 

This was the first Colonel Gore book (published 1924) and at the time the author was probably not considering a series. 

In this story, Col G has not yet become a private investigator and has no experience of solving mysteries. In fact he walks into this case quite by chance and in places  is motivated less by a desire to crack the case than to protect his childhood friend Barbara Melhuish, known by the nickname Pickles.

It may be as well to address some of the criticisms/misunderstandings that have been written about this book. 

For a start, I cannot see that it is intended as a satire on Golden Age detective stories. At the time of publication, the Golden Age was hardly yet underway, so not really ripe for satire.

Neither do I feel it is particularly cliched, in fact it`s quite unusual for that or any other era. 

It`s probably true that Colonel Gore and/or his creator were not entirely free from the snobbery and prejudice of the time and place. A degree of snobbery can be detected in the character and possibly his creator. As regards prejudice, I personally think that`s probably there, but it`s not always wise to assume a writer agrees with statements made by fictitious characters he has created. In any case we are talking about maybe two sentences in a 273 page book.

Gore is not an infallible detective - he builds up one scenario after another in his pursuit of truth, most of them mistaken, some of them expounded at some length. It doesn`t bother me, but I can see some would find this frustrating.

The solution when it did come was a total surprise to me.

Included in this volume is a later Col Gore long/short story. In this one he has become a professional investigator. The writing is better and shows more maturity. It`s maybe not a classic but certainly enjoyable.  

EVER-G - Son of the Most High [Official Video 2015]

David Stuart Davies(ed) - Spinechillers - CRW/Collectors Library - 2012

 

David Stuart Davies - Spinechillers - Collectors Library - 2012

Note `Collectors Library is/was an imprint of CRW Publishing Ltd, London NW1

Will I ever get tired of collecting anthologies of classic ghost stories and/or detective fiction ? Probably not !

Here we have 22 short stories in an anthology compiled by the excellent David Stuart Davies. 

Any collection overseen by DSD is going to be out of the ordinary and this was no disappointment. 

Inevitably (for me) there were a couple of stories I already have, and a couple I didn`t care for, but the great thing is that still leaves 18 I`d never encountered before and thoroughly enjoyed.

If I have one criticism, I would single out the inclusion of Elizabeth Gaskell`s The Grey Woman. Not just because I personally don`t like it - (though I do think it`s overly long and carelessly written) , but because I just can`t see how it belongs in a collection of this sort - it doesn`t chill the spine because it wasn`t, as far as I can see, intended to do so. 

On the positive side, I would single out four stories for special praise - F Marion Crawford`s For the Blood is Life, E F Benson`s Mrs Amworth, R L Stevenson`s Markheim and Barry Paine`s The Glass of Supreme Moments. Obviously that`s personal choice, and they certainly aren`t the only good stories in this collection.

It`s easy enough to find a copy of this fine collection online, and I recommend  you do so. 

Gordon Ashe (John Creasey) - Come Home to Death - Mystery Book Guild - 1958

 

Gordon Ashe   - Come Home to Death - Mystery Book Guild - 1958

Gordon Ashe was a pseudonym used by John Creasey for a series of novels featuring his character Patrick Dawlish.

This is the first Dawlish novel I have read, but I understand that in the preceding novels he is portrayed as a former intelligence officer turned freelance crime fighter, possibly a man of action rather than a man of reflection. 

This book must have been something of a departure. 

As the story begins, Dawlish and his wife are preparing to go on holiday. She has been seriously ill and he feels both would benefit from a break. Only as the story proceeds do we realise how much of a toll his wife`s illness has taken on him. 

Reluctantly, he becomes involved with a case brought to him by a young woman who believes she is being followed. He does what he can do help and arranges for some of his associates to deal with the matter while he is away.

Returning to England he finds himself the suspect in a murder case. Those senior Police Officers who he has had dealings with in the past have either been transferred to other work or are keeping him at arm`s length. Only a couple of rank-and-file P.Cs show any friendliness or sympathy. 

Worse, his key investigator has departed abroad leaving no message, and he finds himself doubting the loyalty of his team. Who can he trust ? Do they even trust him ?

So far so good. However, his own handling of the case seems clumsy, a fact that he himself seems to realise.

While he does uncover many of the facts in the case, in fact he is not the person who eventually finds the solution. 

John Creasey`s status as a legendary crime writer is well-deserved and it was probably his skill as a storyteller that kept me engrossed to the end. 

I enjoyed the book. I will doubtless read it again and still enjoy it, but I don`t think this is his best work by any means.