Tag: 1936

Friday’s Forgotten Book: Death Greets a Guest by Charles Ashton (1936)

The Thaxton, Heatherling and Seventrees Archaeological Society (Thasas) is having its meeting at Heatherling Hall, the manor of the chairman, Stamford Eastwood. Among the twenty-five people who have come to hear a presentation by distinguished archaeologist, Dr. Cunningham, are the Vicar, the Reverend Henry Bloxford; Gentleman-farmer, Mr Rowson; Village bore, Mr Peter Musprat; and Messers … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: Death Greets a Guest by Charles Ashton (1936) →

Short Notes on Four Novels

...the futility and the fragility of all our hopes and desires... 2025 has begun with life becoming exceedingly busy. Cleaning, shifting home, travelling (which was fun), and new responsibilities. Reading and blogging have taken a backseat but as things become more stream-lined, here are brief notes on some of the books read: Homecoming by Bernhard … Continue reading Short Notes on Four Novels →

Five Novels by J. Jefferson Farjeon

Like many others, I too discovered J. Jefferson Farjeon when his book Mystery in White became a Christmas hit. In fact, such a big hit that it ushered in a wave of reprints. I enjoyed the book when I read it and went in search of his other mysteries. None of them could match Mystery … Continue reading Five Novels by J. Jefferson Farjeon →

Phantom Ships: The Forgotten Fleet Mystery by F. Van Wyck Mason (1936)

A morning like this makes of hope something more than an empty word. A fleet of four German ships lies abandoned off the coast of Maryland. When the novel opens, Geneva Connolly, the daughter of the Captain who is taking care of the ships is looking for men to recruit as watchmen when she is … Continue reading Phantom Ships: The Forgotten Fleet Mystery by F. Van Wyck Mason (1936) →

SSW: Missing from their Homes (ed.) H.E. Bates (1936)

The premise of this anthology is very interesting. Apparently before the news on BBC, there used to be S.O.S. read out for people missing from their homes. Eleven authors conjure up eleven scenarios for such people. "Before I read the news here are eleven S O S's" (With acknowledgement to the B.B.C.) The anthology opens … Continue reading SSW: Missing from their Homes (ed.) H.E. Bates (1936) →

Great Finds: Murder with Impatience by Robert Verron (1944) and The Cloze Papers by Kenneth Livingston (1936)

It is always great when a book that you pick up randomly from the library shelves without any idea of the title or even the author turns out to be a great read. Here are two such books: Renowned criminologist Kennedy Critchley is planning to spend a few weeks with his cousin in Scotland when … Continue reading Great Finds: Murder with Impatience by Robert Verron (1944) and The Cloze Papers by Kenneth Livingston (1936) →

Three Mysteries by Miles Burton

Miles Burton has been more miss than hit with me yet when I see his books I usually borrow them. Recently, I was lucky to find three of his lesser-known titles. Where is Barbara Prentice? When a police officer finds part of a fur coat wrapped around the buffer of an engine, he is bewildered … Continue reading Three Mysteries by Miles Burton →

Friday’s Forgotten Book: Judy of Bunter’s Buildings by E. Phillips Oppenheim (1936)

Of all the sounds in this gathering darkness that was the one which she had dreaded most. Judy is a dancer at a bar called the Green Man which is frequented by sailors. When the novel opens, Judy is at her room in Bunter's Buildings when she hears another tenant making his way to the … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: Judy of Bunter’s Buildings by E. Phillips Oppenheim (1936) →