Nicks` Cabinet of Curios

  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 thin...

  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, thou...

  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 ...